The 31st edition of the internationally acclaimed “BLACK & BLUE” LGBTQ+ Festival will be held during the weekend of Canadian Thanksgiving and American Columbus Day, from October 6 to 10, 2022.

“After the postponement of the 2020 and 2021 editions due to the health constraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the conditions are now in place for the return of Black & Blue this year with great enthusiasm, because we will present the main event of the Festival in a truly unique spectacular venue for us, with a very innovative concept”, indicated the President of the BBCM Foundation, Robert J. Vezina.

The main event will be presented for the very first time under the theme “Black & Blue 360°” at La TOHU, Montreal’s Circus Arts City, on Sunday October 9, from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Monday morning. For its return after two years of absence, the 2022 Black & Blue will offer a multidisciplinary circular concept with a central 360° stage in an immersive 360° hall with electronic music by guest DJs and multiple performances, under the artistic direction of Louis Guillemette, an artist, designer and teacher at the National Circus School with many achievements to his credit and well known in the LGBTQ+ community.

Also in the concept and production team, Fred Gouin will be the technical manager and Daniel Brazeau will be the lighting designer. In its planning for the 2022 event, the organizing committee chose to strategically favor local DJs who had already been approached and engaged for the 30th anniversary edition, in 2021, but which was postponed.

Montreal talent in the spotlight!

The BBCM Foundation is proud to promote and support local talent and to put forward this original event concept that will appeal to a large clientele of regulars and new fans. Here is the list of DJs already known through Black & Blue and/or popular on the Montreal nightlife scene, who will perform during the main event at La TOHU (in alphabetical order):

DJ Alain Jackinsky, DJ Ian Key, DJ Lady McCoy, DJ Luc Raymond, DJ Maus, DJs St-Denis (DJ duo Alain Vinet & Steve Aries), DJ Stéfane Lippé, et DJ Stephan Grondin.

The other activities of the 2022 Festival In addition to the main event of La TOHU, the Black & Blue 2022 Festival offers several other activities, including some in special alliance with the organizers of District Events and Pitbull Events, a first of its kind.

“In this post-pandemic period when life is getting back to normal, we believe it is important to work in collaboration with other major organizers of similar events in the community, in solidarity rather than in competition. This is why we are happy to underline this strategic collaboration carried out with these two important players, Pascal Lefebvre (District) and Francis Gaudreault (Pitbull), which will allow everyone to share promotional advantages and promote touristic attractiveness, in particular”, explains the President of the BBCM Foundation.

Scheduled activities as follows:

THURSDAY OCTOBER 6 • VIP LAUNCH COCKTAIL with the COMMITTEE and PARTNERS at LE NORMANDIE tavern, DJ DanYUL • TWINKLE EVENING with disco-pop karaoke theme, sponsored by Sauna G.I. Joe, at LE NORMANDIE tavern • AFTER-TWINKLE at G.I. Joe

FRIDAY OCTOBER 7 • COCKTAIL 6 to 9 hosted by MAISON PLEIN CŒUR at BAR LE COCKTAIL • BLACK & BLUE LEATHER BALL at the LION D’OR, sponsored by Sauna G.I. Joe, presented by BBCM in collaboration with Pitbull Events and District Events, DJ Ashley Gauthier and DJ Chris Mortagua • AFTER-LEATHER BALL at G.I. Joe

SATURDAY 8 OCTOBER • HAPPY HOUR (5 to 10) ‘UNIFORM’ BLACK & BLUE at STUD BAR, DJ Rémi Trottier and DJ André Morin • DISTRICT PARTY at CLUB SODA presented by District Events in collaboration with BBCM and Pitbull Events, DJ Paskal Daze and DJ Aron

OTHER AFFILIATED ACTIVITIES Several other affiliated activities are organized during the Festival, including visits to the McCord Museum, meals at Restaurant Le Saloon, visits to Club La Cité (official gym). There will also be a promotional Black & Blue pre-party at Bar La Fierté at Camping Fierté on September 24th.

CARNIVAL OF COLORS OF MONTREAL It should also be noted that the BBCM Foundation is organizing during the same weekend, from October 7 to 9, a major free and general public component called the CARNAVAL DES COULEURS, whose main outdoor stage will be at the Quartier des Spectacles for the first time this year: 

BLACK & BLUE TICKETS AND PASSES – Week-end VIP passes and the Festival VIP passes are now available, as is the combo ticket for the three major evenings (LA TOHU main event, Leather Ball at the Lion d’or and District Party at Club Soda), as well as the individual tickets for Black & Blue 360° (regular and VIP) on the BBCM Foundation website 

Please note that the VIP status at the main event gives access to a free coat check at La Tohu and access to the VIP lounge overlooking the circular dance floor with snacks and fruit. 

 

Stay tuned for more announcements on Carnival of Colorurs, and possible other programming initiatives.

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.