© Reel & Macadam

Montreal's folkloric dance troupe Reel & Macadam has been a labour of love for artistic director Jocelyn Parent, who created the troupe eight years ago. Reel & Macadam brings the Quebecois past to life in an entertaining weave of dance, live music and storytelling. The troupe strutted their stuff in the Netherlands, Romania and France, and in 2004 they were chosen to represent Canada at UNESCO's International Folklore Festival in Hungary, where 2000 dancers from over 70 countries performed.

"Today the fashion is - I hate to say it - more commercial, with the influence of Riverdance. Reel & Macadam's style is much more traditional," says Parent, who has been dancing since he was five years old. "We keep the dances exactly like they were done years ago, but our staging is more dramatic."

Remaining faithful to the original doesn't mean boring, though. Last year, as part of a showcase of folkloric dance troupes in Racines aux Pieds Carrés, Reel & Macadam challenged the stereotypes with a very modern-looking piece. After the show, a fellow dance enthusiast said to Parent that, while the piece was entertaining, it wasn't traditional dancing. On the contrary, says Parent. "He didn't really know his history. Ours was the only piece out of all the troupes performing that night that was entirely traditional." That's because Parent spends hours poring over books and documentary films to make sure his troupe dances in the footsteps of their Quebecois forefathers.

© Reel & Macadam

Along with authentic dance patterns, Parent also insists on live music. Having musicians on stage, he explains, adds another level of excitement for the audience, but they also infuse the dancers with an energy that is difficult to achieve with recorded music. The synergy created on stage is carefully orchestrated by musical director Jonathan Moorman, "considered by many to be the best fiddler in the province," enthuses Parent.

Parent spends hours doing research to make sure his troupe dances in the footsteps of their Quebecois forefathers.

Parent believes that "artistic expression comes with life experience." Getting involved with the troupe means experiencing a lot more of life, too. "In the past seven years we have travelled to six different countries. Whether we dance in a festival with 12 other troupes or 70 others, we always meet amazing people."

All of this research and preparation takes time and money, though, points out Parent. Since government funding is virtually non-existent and private-sector sponsors are hard to come by, Reel & Macadam puts on fundraisers from time to time. After all, "to save our heritage and show it to the world, we need the funds for it."