• Choreography Le Patin Libre (Alexandre Hamel, Pascale Jodoin, Samory Ba)

Former championship figure skaters turned movement innovators, Le Patin Libre transform the traditional hockey rink into a dramatic stage for contemporary movement.  Blending speed, precision, and intricate choreography, their first two shows, Vertical Influences and Threshold, have toured the world to great acclaim.

For their next project, the Montreal-based collective brings together a much larger group of 15 skaters to break new choreographic ground.  Drawing inspiration from “flocking”, the complex movements exhibited by large groups of birds and fish, Murmuration explores what motivates creatures when they come together and separate at great speed. 

Company

Le Patin Libre was founded in 2005 by Alexandre Hamel, a former professional figure skater and fine arts university student. From early performances presented on frozen ponds, Le Patin Libre has evolved into an acclaimed contemporary dance company that counts international presenters such as UK’s Dance Umbrella and France’s Théâtre de la Ville as champions for this new performing art form.

Creative team

  • Choreography Le Patin Libre (Alexandre Hamel, Pascale Jodoin, Samory Ba)
  • Music Jasmin Boivin and Philippe Le Bon
  • Lighting Yoann Tivoli
  • Costumes Charlyne Guay and Pascale Jodoin
  • Artistic advisors Yaron Lifschitz with Oktawia Ścibior, David Billiau, Kristýna Mikulášová, Taylor Dilley, Sophie Blomqwist, Garrett Kling, Jennifer Edwards, Isaac Lindy, Maude Poulin, Jacqueline Benson, Haley Alcock, Imogen Croft, Samory Ba, Pascale Jodoin, Alexandre Hamel

National Creation Fund investment

The National Creation Fund’s investment of $160,000 made it possible for Le Patin Libre to bring together its expanded cast of skaters for several additional workshops dedicated to exploring new techniques and choreography.

Credits

Special partners:  Department of Canadian Heritage and the Government of Quebec.

Co-producers:  CanDanse Creation Fund/ Danse Danse, National Arts Centre, Dance House, Fall for Dance North in collaboration with TO Live, la Rotonde, Théâtre de la Ville de Paris Support Conseil des arts du Canada, Council of Arts and Letters of Quebec, Council of the Arts of Montreal, Dance North Scotland, Patinoire Le Dôme (Laon, France), Patinoire Le Blizz (Rennes, France), City of Baie-Saint-Paul

Developed with support from the National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund.

Performance dates

  1. Presented by Valspec
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Nov 9 2024 Aréna Salaberry (Salaberry‐de‐Valleyfield)
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  2. Presented by CAM en tournée
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Nov 10 2024 Aréna Saint-Michel (Montréal)
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  3. Presented by Capas
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Nov 16 2024 Aréna Étienne-Desmarteaux (Montréal)
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  4. Presented by Penn Live Arts
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Dec 13 - Dec 14, 2024 Penn Ice Rink (Philadelphia)
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  5. Presented by The Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Feb 21 - Feb 22, 2025 Magness Arena (Denver)
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  6. Presented by Danse House with Canada Ice Dance Theatre
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Mar 20 - Mar 23, 2025 Kerrisdale Cyclone Taylor Arena (Vancouver)
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  7. Presented by NAC Dance
    Murmuration Le Patin Libre
    Mar 27 - Mar 29, 2025 Aréna Stade-Pierre-Lafontaine (Gatineau)
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Past performances

Presented by Dansnät Sweden Jan 5 2024 Winpos arena (Umeå, Sweden)
Presented by Norrlandsoperan Jan 7 2024 Swooch arena (Lycksele, Sweden)
Presented by Dansens Hus Jan 9 2024 Husby ice rink (Stockholm, Sweden)
Jan 11 2024 Kungsbacka Ishall (Kungsbacka, Sweden)
Presented by Nyköping Arena Jan 13 2024 Rosvalla Lilla ice hall (Nyköping, Sweden)
Presented by Gävle Theatre Jan 14 2024 Monitor ERP Arena (Gävle, Sweden)
Presented by La Biennale di Venezia Feb 1 - Feb 11, 2024 Arcobaleno Skating Rink, Parco Albanese (Mestre)
Presented by Maison des arts et loisirs de la ville de Laon Mar 19 - Mar 20, 2024 Le Dôme (Laon, France)
Presented by La quinzaine de la danse Mar 22 - Mar 24, 2024 Patinoire Olympique de Mulhouse (France)
Presented by Odyssud Apr 4 - Apr 5, 2024 Patinoire Jacques Raynaud (Blagnac, France)
Presented by Danse Danse Apr 16 - Apr 21, 2024 Arena Mont-Royal (Montreal)
Presented by TO Live and Fall for Dance North Apr 25 - Apr 28, 2024 Leaside Community Memorial Gardens (Toronto)

Recent investments

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