1

In the 1960's, the Feux-Follets, founded by Michel Cartier was Québec's most prestigious folk dance troupe. It was to become, in 1964, the first professional Folk Dance Ensemble in Canada.

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Les Feux-Follets Dance Troupe
20th century, circa 1967
Montréal (Québec), Canada

Credits:
MBDC

3

Les Feux-Follets
20th century, circa 1967
Montréal (Québec), Canada

Credits:
MBDC

4

Les Feux-Follets
20th century, circa 1967
Montréal (Québec), Canada

Credits:
MBDC

5

Two years later, in 1966, Jimmy Di Genova, a French teacher at Saint-Stanislas High School, was forming there an amateur troupe of young dancers. Before devoting himself to teaching, he had also founded the Pastourelle troupe.

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Pastourelle, Jimmy Di Genova's First Folk Dance Troupe
1960-1963
Montréal (Québec), Canada

Credits:
MBDC

7

Pastourelle, Jimmy Di Genova's First Folk Dance Troupe
1960-1963
Montréal (Québec), Canada

Credits:
MBDC

8

From its very beginnings and in spite of single-gender schools, that were the educational standard at the time, the newly born troupe is co-ed. Girls are therefore recruited from Marie-Immaculée High School. A troupe is quickly formed with 45 students between the ages of 14 and 16. Shorly after the first rehearsals, a name has to be found. Among the three options that are presented to the dancers, the name Les Sortilèges wins the vote.

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The First Sortilèges at ESSS
15 March 1967
Saint-Stanislas High School, Montréal (Québec), Canada

Credits:
MBDC
Thibaudeau, Jean-Guy , photographer

10

Le guide Mont-Royal, Vol.XXVIII, No.15
19 April 1967
Montréal (Québec), Canada

Credits:
MBDC
Guide Mont-Royal

11

Now that the new dance troupe is formed, that it rehearses and has a name, the first performances are ready to take place and an appropriate wardrobe begins to come together.