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COMME DANS

Located at the heart of Cité des arts du cirque since 2004, TOHU’s mission is to disseminate, create, experiment and amalgamate three elements: culture (CIRCUS), environment (EARTH) and community involve-ment (PEOPLE). TOHU relies on the talent and dedication of multiple professionals from various fields. Thanks to its threefold mission, TOHU helps position Montréal as the international capital of circus arts, while also establishing itself as the benchmark for culture-based sustainable development through culture.

Quebec’s circus scene is world-renowned and Montréal is taking its place as a highly valued venue for foreign troupes. Internationally acclaimed as the gateway contemporary circus in North America, TOHU also established a festival dedicated to circus arts, in 2010.

MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE is born of a collective vision and from the minds of Montréal’s leaders in circus arts. Together, TOHU, Cirque Éloize, the 7 Fingers, Cirque du Soleil, National Circus School and En Piste, juggled with the idea of creating a great international circus arts festival in Montréal. The goal was to showcase their creative talents and to promote the various forms of artistic expressions found in circus arts. TOHU then became the driving force of the project and pooled everyone’s expertise, resources and desires in order to launch this annual summer event. Since 2010, it has been instrumental in establishing Montréal as the world capital of circus arts.

TOHU: Feeding imagination

OPUS BY CIRCA. 2014

BABEL SHOW AT PARC ÉMILIE-GAMELIN – MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE

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TOHU-BOHUThis French expression, which translates “hurly-burly”, suggests the ferment of ideas and actions, the chaos that lead to the revival or the hustle and bustle of the big city. Therefore, “TOHU” comes down to searching for balance, a concept so dear to the body, to moving lands, to happily changing moods and to opposed elements that meet and mutually adopt each other.

“TOHU IS THE SUCCESS OF A BET FOR BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL CIRCUS

COMPANIES BUT ALSO FOR THE COMMUNITY OF SAINT-MICHEL.” – DANIEL LAMARRE, PRESIDENT AND

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

* The spectacular rise of Quebec’s contemporary circus, which takes on a number of different forms on the world stage thanks to its dedicated performance space.

* Every time a new foreign delegation is dazzled by our singularity, it boosts Montréal’s international standing.

* MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE has made the circus arts scene vibrate as a result of all its diversity since its inception in 2010.

* The FALLA, an annual colourful and festive celebration that offers the community the most wonderful gift: pride.

* Starmania with a Creole flair in 2008, a Haitian production from Port-au-Prince sponsored by the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, was a celebration of talent that remains an unforgettable artistic and human experience.

* Club de boxe Perseverance gala, which annually takes place in a location worthy of the aspirations of the Saint-Michel community.

* The youth from the Saint-Michel neighbourhood who, by enrolling in our employability program, became acquainted with their vast array of skills.

WE HAVE EXPERIENCED TEN YEARS OF ACHIEVE-MENTS, STRONG EMOTIONS, UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS AND LIFE CHANGING ENCOUNTERS. DURING THIS DECADE, WE FORGED A WHOLE NEW WORLD THAT MET OUR STANDARDS. HERE ARE SOME MILESTONES THAT WE WISH TO HIGHLIGHT:

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TIMBER BY CIRQUE ALFONSE. TOHU 2012 performances

CIRCUS SHOWS

TOHU data as of July 15 2014

FREE SHOWS AND EVENTS

VISITORS IN SMEC’S GUIDED TOURS

HOURS OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

EXHIBITIONS

CREATION RESIDENCIES

VISITORSSINCE ITS OPENING IN 2004

FROM 1999 TO 2004: THE EMERGENCE OF AN IDEAMajor circus players (Cirque du Soleil, the National Circus School and En Piste - circus arts national network) wish to build suitable and accessible infrastructures that will allow them to reassert their global leadership and make Montréal an international circus arts capital. They begin by establishing a non-profit organization – la Cité des arts du cirque –to fulfill this purpose.

TOHU: CIRCUS, ENVIRONMENT, COMMUNITYIn June 2004, TOHU welcomes its first visitor and soon became one of the circus world’s largest gathering places in terms of training, promotion, creation and production. The building, an example of green architecture certified LEED GOLD in Canada, is not only the first circular performance space for circus arts in North America, it is also the reception pavilion to the Saint-Michel Environmental Complex (SMEC); the greatest environmental rehabilitation project ever undertaken by the City of Montréal.

Well-established in the Saint-Michel district since its inauguration, TOHU endeavours to build strong ties with residents, businesses and organizations of the community. Through community-based activities, TOHU fosters close relations that will last and a high level of participation and cooperation. Over the years, its local hiring policy, its socio-professional integration program, the FALLA celebration, the many free cultural events intended primarily for the neighbourhood’s residents in addition to being the “gateway” of the SMEC, all reiterated its commitment to participate in the social, cultural and economic development of its district, Saint-Michel.

By deliberately choosing to be located in one of Canada’s most sensitive neighbourhoods and near the SMEC, TOHU takes on a tremendous challenge: one characterized by sustainable development through culture as defined by the elements of Environment and Community. This draws the attention of numerous media, profes-sionals, researchers and citizens worldwide each year thus allowing it to gain significant recognition.

The birth of a unique venue

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MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE: A SHOWCASE FOR INTERNATIONAL CONTEMPORARY CIRCUS ARTS AND

A SPRINGBOARD FOR A NEW GENERATION OF LOCAL ARTISTS.

SAINT-DENIS COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE. MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE 2013.

PUBLIC RECEPTION Dedicated to the public, TOHU and MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE both offer a wide range of specia-lized circus activities for educational and audience development purposes, thanks to quality references. The Festival is a great opportunity to reach out and initiate the public to performing arts.

Various forums were created to raise public awareness such as activities in the Public Square, mediation workshops, visual arts exhibitions, guided tours, activities and performances in the lobby. In addition, kids and adults alike also get to try out some circus arts disciplines such as tightrope, juggling or stilts.

MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CIRQUE: WELCOMING FOREIGN ENTERTAINMENT PROMOTERS Since 2004, TOHU has welcomed an ever-increasing number of professionals. For its part, the Festival invites more than 900 local and foreign programmers, each year. Continuously growing in prominence on the national and international stage, MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE gathered over 130 professionals for its 2014 edition. Directors, producers, promoters and distributers from all over the world were given the opportunity to meet the local talent behind the new contemporary circus creations they witnessed. They were also invited to round tables, showcases, conferences, happy hour gatherings, business dinners, and visits of the Cité des arts du cirque (home to the National Circus School, TOHU and the Cirque du Soleil’s International Headquarters).

Those professional meetings have proven to be ideal for promoting and for reaching distribution agreements. Several regional companies have landed valuable relationships with key promoters; for example, Les 7 doigts de la main, Cirque Alfonse and Flip FabriQue have all entered into special agreements with producers from Quebec, Argentina, Japan, Spain, Austria, France and the United States.

TOHU, THE SAINT-MICHEL ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLEX’S RECEPTION PAVILIONCalled the Saint-Michel Environmental Complex (SMEC) since 1995, what was originally a 192 hectares limes-tone quarry was first converted into a landfill in 1968. Today, this site is on the verge of becoming the second largest park of the city. By the time Montréal celebrates its 375th anniversary, in 2017, the first phase of the park’s transformation will be completed. In 2004, the City of Montréal partnered with TOHU to make it the SMEC “gateway”. TOHU is therefore responsible for the SMEC and the guided educational tours of its building, certified LEED GOLD Canada (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

Welcoming

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“I LIKE TOHU FOR ITS CREATIVITY, ITS INSIGHT,

ITS DISTINCTIVE NATURE AND BECAUSE ITS ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR NEW TALENT.”

– PAUL ANTOINE PICHARD PHOTOGRAPHER

In 2011, TOHU joined the 360° Network, an affiliation of entertainment promoters from a dozen European coun-tries who all boast circular buildings with a round and central stage, similar to theirs. Certain collaborations have already resulted from this association, such as Playing Cards; a creation by Robert Lepage and a prime example of the tremendous potential offered by the 360° Network.

CULTURAL PROGRAMMING, A MIXTURE OF PROPOSITIONS REFLECTING CULTURAL DIVERSITY TOHU wears several hats. It oscillates between that of the adventurer, the explorer and the artist. TOHU invites the public to share its discoveries by offering a high quality and diversified cultural programming free of charge and accessible. Its choices in performing arts and visual arts aim to offer a range of activities promoting culture, community and environment.

All efforts focus on featuring emerging artists from the community, new practices and the fusion of genres: young audience performances, a world music series and a “dance” series to highlight our local talent.

HORS-PISTESThis French expression, which translates “off-piste”, is the name of the program presented by TOHU that explores different forms of art. The public is invited to discover alternative forms of entertainment. For example, Bust A Move is a street dance tournament and, Petits bonheurs is a festival dedicated to children under the age of 6. In 2014, TOHU also presented Pique and Coeur, the two first plays of the Playing Cards tetralogy by Robert Lepage. TOHU’s circularity (the only circular performance space in North America), was conducive to 360-degree staging.

TOHU’S CIRCULAR STAGE DURING PLAYING CARDS BY EX MACHINA AND ROBERT LEPAGE

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“WHAT A JOURNEY IT HAS BEEN, SINCE THE 7 FINGERS WERE INVITED TO INAUGURATE TOHU; 10 YEARS SIDE BY SIDE, HAND IN HAND, RADIATING OUR

LOVE FOR CIRCUS ARTS. LONG LIVE TOHU!”

–NASSIB EL-HUSSEINI, CEO OF THE 7 FINGERS

ShowcaseA WINDOW INTO THE PECULIAR WORLD OF CONTEMPORARY CIRCUS Year in, year out, you can count on TOHU and MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE to offer a program of outstanding quality, originality and grandeur. Their broad range of contemporary circus productions includes some of the best in the world.

In addition to opening up a compelling window into the fascinating world of today’s circus scene, TOHU gathers and delights its ever-growing audience. The public can learn about a wide array of forms of circus arts, as its different disciplines and aesthetics are revealed. Every time, TOHU impresses with its perpetually diverse, glamorous and astonishing creations. All productions are consistently at the forefront of what is happening on the world stage; from specialized performances to those meant for the general public. In its recent past, not only has TOHU startled with its colourful styles, it has also continuously defied expectations and conventions, meeting a rising need for innovation, variety, research and the multidisciplinary arts. Mixing circus with other art forms is very popular, and the trend is clearly reflected in the choices made by TOHU and the Festival in terms of programming.

Orchestrated in 2010 by TOHU with the support of major players from Montréal and the circus community, MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE represents a showcase for homegrown talent, a hub for foreign com-panies and a springboard for up-and-coming circus professionals and troupes. Each edition of the Festival transforms Montréal into a full-on circus city; MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE has become a summer staple! Recognized for its grandeur and diversity, and for always featuring an outstanding program, MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE is a hotbed for circus enthusiasts from all four corners of the globe. This unique circus event mobilizes and unifies us and MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE is proud to be the first inter-national circus arts festival in North America.

TOHU, THE LEADER OF THE NETWORKTOHU encourages cultural reciprocity through its activities on a local, national and global scale. Doing so is fundamental for the vitality and viability of circus arts. Regional, North American and European networking is a key challenge to improve public access to performing arts and further enhance community outreach. In addition, this can bring future growth to TOHU, helping reduce its production costs and while hosting a greater number of shows.

MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE,FIRST INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF CIRCUS ARTS IN NORTH AMERICAEvery July, Montréal grooves to the beat of circus arts. The city comes to life, clowns around, amazes and entertains. Its streets, parks, sidewalks and facades are used as the backdrop for astonishing performances.

MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE is a reflection of the incredible vitality of our local talent, a favourite landing place for foreign troupes and the international rendez-vous of circus masterminds. The Festival beats to the rhythm of the circus world’s most innovating propositions below the shining names of its major players. It also thrives on presenting circus arts from a variety of angles, blending it with other disciplines and highlighting its cohesive diversity. The resulting creations are an effervescent alloy of circus arts mixed with theatre, dance, music, burlesque and/or poetry.

In 2014, the Festival achieved a great milestone thanks to its unique outdoor programming, as well as an indoor program where the small and the big, the intimate and the grand are constantly intertwined.

A REMARKABLE GROWTH2014 has been a landmark year for MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE, since it attracted more than 185,000 people, a 46 % increase from its previous year. The success of the Festival’s fifth edition was a result of its own rising notoriety, but it was also lifted by the quality and richness of its program and the remarkable growth of its outdoor agenda. Even if its roots run deep under various parts of the city, MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE has been deeply anchored in Quartier Latin (part of Quartier des Spectacles) since its inception in 2010.

+ An event that stimulates creativity and participative culture.

+ An unconventional formula covering the territory in a unique and distinctive way, by commanding its neighbourhoods, streets, alleys and balconies.

+ A high quality diversified programming, a true showcase of circus arts.

+ The outdoor signature of the Festival, ‘‘LA RUE COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE” (with its ambulatory path) and its ‘‘MINUTES COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE’’ – a unique way to take over the urban space.

+ Circus arts meet theater, dance, music, cinema, varieties, digital and visual arts.

+ A project with a human dimension, socially involved.

OUTDOOR SHOWS

ARTISTS FROM 4 DIFFERENT CONTINENTS

PROFESSIONALS OF THE CIRCUS INDUSTRY, INCLUDING 90 ENTERTAINMENT PROMOTERS

FESTIVAL-GOERS

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SAINT-DENIS COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE. MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE 2013.

IN 2014

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DISCIPLINE, SUPPORT FOR THE CREATIVE PROCESS AND PROMOTINGDiversity and quality are at the root of TOHU’s programming. Proposals are selected for their high level of acrobatics, for their creativeness and artistic merit.

TOHU’s goal is to support emerging artists and creations from Quebec, while collaborating with globally well-known troupes that come from America, Asia, Europe and Australia.

LAUNCHING EMERGING COMPANIESTOHU provides a variety of support services to assist the professionals working within the industry. In addition, some of the facilities located on the National Circus School’s premises are made available for training and for residencies: the creative studio is at the disposal of those participating in the research and creation programs whereas the use of the venue is granted to those in the production residency programs (for the last stages of their artistic process). Furthermore, TOHU also provides human resources and equipment such as lighting, sound and rigging for the final creation stages of projects.

Since the launch of these services in January 2004, demand has grown steadily, revealing an important demand for circus artists. From January 2004 to August 2014, TOHU hosted 109 projects and granted more than 40,062 hours of self-training and facilities rental to artists. In 2014, 29 companies or groups of artists have benefited from these services; approximately 27 creative residences and 2 production residences. This resulted in the production of the 11 Sans Filet sessions (in order to get feedback, they were only presented to a privileged audience) and in the nomination of 4 compagnies who will be part of the Festival.

support

“TOHU OFFERS A LOT OF OPPOR-TUNITIES TO YOUNG CREATORS, NEW CIRCUS COMPANIES AND TO

THE NEXT GENERATION” – CHANTAL JEAN, PRODUCTION

MANAGER OF RENDEZ-VOUS DU CINÉMA QUÉBÉCOIS.

ATRAPPE-MOI BY FLIP FABRIQUE. MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE 2013.

ANNUAL SHOW BY THE STUDENTS OF NATIONAL CIRCUS SCHOOL, LA VIE EN SWING. TOHU 2013.

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THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMThe school year is an opportunity for our guides to introduce a new educational program including interactive activities for elementary and high schools. Each year more than 10,000 people participate in our outreach and educational environmental activities and in our guided tours. During the summer, Montréal day camps partici-pate in free educational activities at TOHU. CONNECTING PEOPLE. REACHING COMMUNITY.Following our mission, we create opportunities to trigger exchanges between artists and citizens in order to promote learning and culture. In order to do this, our programming focuses on activities that encourage the public’s participation and education. The forms of the activities vary depending on the participants; from simply attending a show for free to participating in the creative process or the production of an event.

eDUcateSOCIAL INVOLVEMENTAs a Saint-Michel’s citizen, TOHU puts down his roots in its neighbourhood and maintains close ties with its local organizations. Many of the employees have been involved in various consulting committees, in the district’s 100th anniversary commemoration activities or the planning of community activities.

SOCIAL INVOLVEMENTSince its inauguration, in order to actively be part of Saint-Michel’s revitalization, TOHU offers opportunities to young people who want to get involved. TOHU reaches the youth in an effort to improve their academic success, skills and employability through its specialized resources and proper training. Over 400 residents of Saint-Michel benefited from the program.

COMBINE CULTURE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTAs a leader in sustainable development, TOHU hosts many different activities, including private and corporate events. In order to reduce its ecological footprint, TOHU adopted a policy that reduces its environmental impact while maximising social and economic benefits.

The unique project of TOHU arouses interest both here and abroad. Its unique mission has often been held up as a model of sustainable development through culture.

Get involved

“THANK YOU TOHU. YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE AFTER 10 YEARS THAT IT IS

POSSIBLE TO RECONCILE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND

CULTURAL OBJECTIVES IN A PROJECT THAT CONTINUES TO

MAKE US DREAM.” – NANCY NEAMTAM, EX-PRESIDENT AND GENERAL DIRECTOR OF THE

CHANTIER DE L’ÉCONOMIE SOCIALE

FALLAFALLA is inspired by the carnivalesque traditions of Valencia in Spain. This unique event is the only one of its kind in Quebec. At the heart of it is the construction of a gigantic ten-meter sculpture made up of wood and paper which is set aflame during its popular celebrations. From conception to completion, this sculpture embo-dies a collective artistic process, which is truly citizen-centered. It is built by members of the community and supervised by 11 professional artists and artisans, but over 250 volunteers get involved at one point or another. The event provides a group of youngsters from the Saint-Michel district with a socio-professional integration program. They are invited, in a creative and rigorous setting, to be part of a collective art project during which they can surpass themselves and feel valued for their contribution. They work on a sculpture that reflects the uniqueness of the district’s creativity. In some ways, the purpose of the FALLA is not the end result, but rather the whole process; a process during which they will gain confidence in themselves by being part of a solid team (it includes figures of authority but also guilds, who are essential to their well-being). Since 2004, TOHU is proud to have given the chance to 98 falleros to participate to a real artistic creation.

With its numerous musical performances and family activities, FALLA is now a major annual event in Saint-Michel and a must in the city’s cultural agenda.

A FLIGHT OF KITES IN TOHU’S SKIESGrain de ciel gathers Montrealers for its kite creation workshops, demonstrations, guided tours of the SMEC and street theater. The public not only gets to meet international kite specialists, but they get to witness the unique flying creations…in action!

Bring Together

“TOHU? A SPACE OF ARTISTIC FREEDOM, A VENUE INVOLVING CITIZENS, RIGHT HERE, IN

SAINT-MICHEL!” – DENIS SIROIS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,

CDÉC-CENTRE-NORD

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OH!TOHUCOMME DANS

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TOHU2345, Jarry EastMontréal, Quebec, H1Z 4P3514-376-86481-888-376-8648

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Cirque du soleil, major partner of TOHU, engaged in his community.

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