Introducing North-America’s first dance festival solely dedicated to contemporary dance for young audiences!
Spearheaded by the Sursaut Dance Company, FUDGE | Festival universel de danse géniale pour enfants (Universal Festival of Amazing Dance for Children) emerged from a desire to introduce young audiences to bold, fresh choreographies by local, national, and international artists. Committed to making the community’s heart beat to the rhythm of dance, this unique cultural happening offers a rich and varied program for the whole family.
This must-see biennial event is a highlight of the Canadian dance scene and a structuring initiative for the development of the dance community. Held in Sherbrooke, the Festival will help decentralize arts and culture, as well as contribute to the vitality of the discipline throughout Quebec.
FUDGE is childlike enthusiasm reflected in a little treat waiting to be savoured!
FUDGE strives to highlight the unique nature of contemporary dance for young audiences by offering a platform for its expression.
The event will amplify the reach of international productions and facilitate networking between artists of all horizons, using the universal language of dance to bridge cultures.
We recognize that the lands on which the Festival will take place are part of the unceded traditional territory of the Abenaki and Wabanaki Confederacy.
Encouraging everyone to participate in culture.
With a desire to democratize access to dance, and to make it more inclusive, the festival team has given itself the mandate to put in place different initiatives, in order to break through existing barriers, be they physical, geographic, economic, or cultural.
Francine Châteauvert
We first had the idea of creating an international dance festival for youth and families in 1996. After many years of artistic practice and numerous encounters with young people, this idea grew into a tangible commitment to creating an event solely dedicated to dance for young audiences.
The FUDGE Festival is the result of the Sursaut Dance Company’s deep commitment to children and their families. We coined its amusing acronym to reflect accessibility and inclusion. FUDGE will give artists and youth the opportunity to connect through a one-of-a-kind cultural experience. Before passing on the torch after 35 years as the company’s artistic director, I will leave the FUDGE Festival as my legacy in the field of youth-focused dance creation.
“FUDGE is an event that caters to young audiences and the well-being of children is at the heart of what we do.”
The eco-responsible policy of the festival was born from a common will of the team members to reduce the ecological footprint of this international event. It is a starting point for putting our values into action, thinking about our impact on future generations. Through this serious commitment, the Sursaut dance company wishes to be a source of inspiration for its community.
Artistic Coordination
FUDGE is funded by :
