Les Grands Ballets Canadiens' National Centre for Dance Therapy is thrilled to present the incredible talents of Luca "Lazylegz" Patuelli and his crew, ILL-Abilities, for two exceptional evenings in Montreal. Get ready to experience a competition and a show that will bring the dance community together in an electrifying atmosphere.
Let's celebrate the passion that unites us all!
February 9-10, 2024
Atrium and Studio-Theatre of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Wilder Espace Danse Building
1435 de Bleury, Montreal, QC, H3A 2H7
Photos: Kien Quan
Book your spot now!
February 9th : 15$
February 10th : 35$
Two-day bundle : 40$
Ticket sales allow the NCDT to continue its mandate dedicated to promoting the benefits of dance and making it more accessible to vulnerable and marginalized people.
While stocks last.
During the evening, on February 9th, we invite B-boys and B-girls as well as professional and non-professional dancers to compete in a dance battle where they can qualify to participate in the final No Limits Concept Battle which will take place the following evening Februrary 10. Dancers of all abilities are invited to participate! This is an opportunity to come together and encourage accessibility in the dance scene.
6:30 p.m. – Doors open
7 p.m. – Meet & Greet with ILL-Abilities
8 p.m. – Cyphers
9 p.m. – Qualification for the No Limits Concept Battle *
10 p.m. – ILL-Abilities vs Montreal (& Friends) exhibition battle
10:30 p.m. – Event closure
Photo: Jazpar
During the second evening of the event, Saturday, February 10, ILL-Abilities will showcase their last creation and the work of the Creative Movement Workshops of the NCDT with Luca Lazylegz Patuelli and Melissa Emblin and of the National Dance School of Canada. The evening will continue with the No Limits Concept Battle Finals and the award ceremony.
6:30 p.m. - Doors opening
7:40 p.m. - Showcases and No Limits Concept Battle * Finals
10 p.m. - Cocktail
10:30 p.m. - Event closure
*Created by ILL-ABILITIES, this unique concept challenges both local as well as international dancers to think outside the box. For each battle, dancers must spin a wheel labelled with various contraints and adaptive aids (such as a wheelchair, crutches or a blindfold). The wheel therefore determines what the dancer must apply or use in their dance performance. The goal is to have each dancer not only demonstrate various ways of using the imposed restriction as an advantage, but also build on their strengths and abilities.
The schedule is subject to changes
Formed in 2007, ILL-Abilities is an International Breakdance Crew comprised of eight active members from around the world: Redouan “Redo” Ait Chitt (The Netherlands), Sergio “Checho” Carvajal (Chile), Samuel Henrique "Samuka" da Silveira Lima (Brazil), Lucas "Perninha" Machado (Brazil), Luca “Lazylegz” Patuelli (Canada), Jung Soo "Krops" Lee (South Korea), Jacob “Kujo” Lyons (U.S.A), and “Junior“ Bosila Banya (Congo/France).
Lazylegz, the instigator of the No Limits event, has been dancing since the age of 15. He has developed a unique dance style by incorporating his crutches and the strength of his arms, earning him worldwide recognition. Lazylegz has participated in shows such as Ellen, So You Think You Can Dance Canada, America's Got Talent, and many others. In 2016, the Governor General of Canada awarded Luca the Meritorious Service Medal for his commitment to the community through his accessible dance programs.
Luca strives to take his career to the next level while consistently sharing his message with the world: "It's about taking the bad and making it good" and that there are "no excuses, no limits."
Samuka was born and raised in Brasilia, Brazil. He quickly took up breakdancing and hip hop at the age of 15, after losing his leg to cancer; he hasn't stopped dancing since. Because his dance style is energetic, dynamic and full of strength, he quickly gained international recognition from the start of his career. Dance has transformed his life and he works very hard every day to be among the best in the world.
In less than 7 years, Samuka has toured over 15 countries, and made appearances in several films, music videos and television shows. Samuka remains humble and grateful for all the opportunities available to him.
Photo: Jazpar
Kujo est né et a grandi à Los Angeles, en Californie, et danse depuis plus de 25 ans. Kujo a acquis une renommée internationale grâce à ses mouvements incroyablement dangereux et difficiles, à sa force et à sa personnalité déterminée.
Il est un chorégraphe primé et est considéré comme une légende de la scène du breakdance. Ses mouvements et combinaisons innovants ont influencé et inspiré des milliers de danseurs dans le monde entier.
Photo: Jazpar
Perninha is one of Brazil's best dancers and has recently gained international recognition in the break scene. He has developed a unique style influenced by traditional breaking with a 'new school' (contemporary) touch incorporating fast footwork mixed with power moves. Perninha has won numerous dance competitions around the world. In 2019, he won the "Most Valuable Dancer" award at Outbreak Europe in Slovakia.
Perninha likes to share and teach young people her passion for dance. He wants the world to know that his disability will never stop him from achieving his dreams.
Photo: Jazpar
Nicknamed "Miracle", Krops was on his way to becoming one of the best Bboys in the world, winning major international competitions. At the age of 16, during one of his rehearsals, Krops fell, broke his neck and became completely paralyzed. Doctors told him he would never be able to walk again. Krops was determined to get out of the hospital and get back on the dance floor. As part of his rehabilitation process and knowing that he would face physical challenges, he learned to become a DJ.
Today, Krops is a world-famous DJ. His mixtapes and songs have been featured at some of the world's biggest events. Since 2017, Krops has resumed learning to dance. His determination and strength are a source of inspiration to all members of ILL-Abilities and to all those who cross his path.
Photo: Jazpar
Junior is one of the most iconic breakers in the history of the scene. He is famous for his handstand acrobatics and his strength, both physical and mental.
At the age of three, Junior contracted polio. But he was determined not to let anything dictate his limits. “I’ve always tried to turn my disability into an advantage,” he explains. "The best example is dancing. When I was little, I danced to Michael Jackson videos. To compensate for the moves I couldn't do, I created my own mix of gymnastics and martial arts - movements I could do with my hands.
Junior, at the age of 12, saw street dancers on television and realized that they were doing the same moves as him. “I realized I was breaking before I even knew what it was,” he says. "From that point on, I trained really hard. I had found my thing. Soon, the kids stopped seeing me as the little handicapped guy – I became the guy with the crazy movements."
At the age of 14, Redo fell in love with breakdance. The freedom of movement, the type of music and the creative expression of the dance captivated him. Through his passion and determination, he was able to create a fluid, dynamic and energetic style of dance.
Today, Redo is recognized worldwide as a top dancer who competes in battles and performs in various theater shows as well as in the commercial industry. He shares his story at motivational speaking engagements and is a respected teacher by many educational institutions and dance schools.
In 2019, Redo won the Swan Award for Best Dance Performance. Then in 2020, he was the main dancer for the opening ceremonies of the Eurovision Song Festival.
Photo : Jazpar
Please note that a photographer will be there.
