Inside Montreal, journalist Louis-Philippe Messier travels mainly on the run, his office in his backpack, on the lookout for fascinating subjects and people. He speaks to everyone and is interested in all walks of life in this urban chronicle.
It’s probably because Montrealer Ronald Lacoste has been leading the popular line dances in front of the old Marché Maisonneuve for 30 years this spring that he is so jovial and healthy.
“At my age [68 ans], I take zero pills. No diabetes, no cholesterol or high blood pressure. It is because of the dance which is an exercise: we move everywhere, even the eyes and the ears.
The dance sessions, where La Compagnie créole, Elvis and Frank Michael get along well in music, are celebrating their 30th anniversary this spring.
Now that it’s been going on for a generation, you could say it’s a tradition.
“I was 38 years old in 1993 when I launched these outdoor social dance evenings, and the success was immediate and so considerable that soon similar events multiplied everywhere in Montreal and elsewhere”, tells me Ronald Lacoste, a well-known figure and hyperactive promoter of social dancing in Quebec.
To interview the charismatic host, I had to take refuge behind the magnificent market fountain to escape the noise of the loudspeakers.
“We have already reached a crowd of dancers of 1200 people here and now it is more around 200 because originally people came from afar, from Quebec, from Trois-Rivières, like what existed here. was unique.”
Louis-Philippe Messier
Line dancing enthusiasts are now spoiled for choice. A regular, Johanne Dumas sums up her summer schedule with her partner Michel Thiffeault.
“On Thursday and Sunday, we come here. Mondays, at the Jardin Gamelin. Tuesday, in Anjou. Wednesday and Friday, at Parc-Bellerive.
And on Saturday they don’t dance?
“On Saturdays, we make love,” says Mr. Thiffeault.
Michel Thiffeault and Johanne Dumas dance almost every night of the week (except Saturdays).
Louis-Philippe Messier
pearl wedding
Last Sunday, everyone (or almost) was dressed in blue, a reference to the pearl wedding (30 years): the dancers formed waves over chalk drawings representing a seabed.
When I arrive, I recognize the song Celina by Belgian crooner Frank Michael.
“Bravo my little hearts!” exclaims Ronald Lacoste to congratulate the dancers before sending the next song.
What is the average age here? 75 years old? 80 years old?
“In 1993, people were 55 to 60 years old… which means 85 or 90 years old today, so many have died or are placed in residence,” says Ronald Lacoste.
Failing to conquer the new generations of Quebecers, the social dance scene is unexpectedly bailed out by an impressive number of… Chinese nationals.
Chinese reinforcements
In fact, in front of the Maisonneuve Market, nearly half of the dancers seem to be of Asian origin… which may come as a surprise in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.
The animation of Ronald Lacoste (whose wife is Chinese) is bilingual: French and Cantonese.
Proud of the 30 years of his event, the host tells me he hopes to continue another ten years for his followers.
“Here, people come out of their homes and move, they socialize, they laugh. It does them a lot of good.”
Nearly half of the social dancers in front of the Maisonneuve Market are now Chinese, and host Ronald Lacoste offers bilingual entertainment, in French and Cantonese. It may seem very surprising in the middle of Hochelaga, but the Chinese are fond of line dancing and, as it’s the biggest event in Montreal, they meet there. Photo of Louis-Philippe Messier on June 11, 2023
Louis-Philippe Messier