West-Can Folk Performing Company is a well-established afro-Caribbean performing group in Quebec, Canada. At the time of its inception, most members were recent immigrants to Canada. Their vision was to showcase Caribbean culture abroad. Now, the group consists mostly of first generation Canadians who continue to learn and demonstrate aspects of afro-Caribbean folk culture learnt from their parents and elders. The groupâs repertoire consists of performance pieces influenced by various Afro-Caribbean folk traditions, Haitian folklore and traditional African dance styles. During its 30 + years of existence, West-Can has touched the hearts of many with their exciting performances, theatrical presentations and their drum and dance workshops. Over the years, West-Can has offered drum and dance classes to the children and adults of the Caribbean community, ensuring that the rich Caribbean folk culture and heritage is passed down to the next generation. The group has maintained its position as an ambassador of Caribbean folk culture throughout Quebec and Europe. They have performed at The Montreal Grand Prix, Festival Nuits dâAfrique, The International Reggae Festival (2004, 2005, 2016), Montreal Caribbean Fashion week (2015), The International Folk Festival in Drummondville, Quebec and at the 32nd edition of the Folklore Festival in Schoten, Belgium (Werelddansfestival Hello!Schoten). The company has also performed in various festivals in Ontario, Western Canada and at the museum of Natural History in Manhattan. Recently (June 2013), West-Can was invited to perform at the Port-of-Spain Town Hall as well as to participate in the re-enactment of the Canboulay riots of 1881 (March 2014, February 2016). Artistic productions: The Journey (1990), Reflections, The Journey Continues, Carifolk (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996), Reunion Show (2002), How Anansi play dead to catch Cobo alive (2013). Afro-Caribbean Folklore in Quebec Digital Presentation (2020). Canboulay-experimental film (2021)
