Quelles sont les heures d'ouverture ?

Mardi 5:30pm - 11pm Jeudi 12pm - 11pm Vendredi 12pm - 5pm Dimanche 12pm - 5pm

West-Can Folk Performing Company

Page d'Accueil
Canada
Montreal, QC
West-Can Folk Performing Company

WEST CAN FOLK PERFORMING COMPANY has been in existence since 1978. Combined the members have over 56 years experience as ambassadors of Caribbean culture.

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 parent

s and elders. The group’s 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 d’Afrique, 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)

08/14/2026

Death is not the end of our connection; it is a sacred transition.

We invite you to join us for Panel 3 of our Cycles of Life series: Death & Mourning Practices.

In many Caribbean traditions, when a community member passes, the village does not grieve in isolation. Through wake ceremonies, mourning rituals, and ancestral respect, we wrap our arms around the family, celebrating the life lived and guiding the spirit on its journey home.

These conversations are vital. They allow us to understand, preserve, and honor the sacred protocols of our ancestors so that future generations can continue to build spaces of collective care.

What we will explore:
🕯️ Traditional mourning rituals across the Caribbean
🥁 Wake ceremonies, song, and spiritual transitions
🙏 Ancestral respect and the continuity of spirit

Event Details:
🗓️ Date: Sunday, September 13th
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST
📍 Location: Online (Zoom)
🎟️ Admission: Free!

How to register:
Scan the QR code on the flyer or to secure your spot in the Zoom yard.

Let's gather, listen, and honor our ancestors together. 🤎

08/12/2026

A sneak peek behind the scenes of our first Anansi Alive! design session! See our community in action. 👉🏾

It was all about collaboration, imagination, and putting pencil to paper. Participants of all ages spent the afternoon studying the mock-up stage models, reviewing design templates, and mapping out the vibrant sets and costumes that will define our community theatre show.

There is nothing more powerful than creating together.

If you want to get creative, learn new skills, and make your mark on this original production, join us for our final and extended session!

📅 Save the Date: Sunday, August 16th | 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM at UNIA.

See you at the design table! 👇🏾

Register and join us - https://form.jotform.com/253626603110244

08/10/2026

West-Can was proud to be part of Grand Parade 2026, held on August 1, celebrating the colour, energy, and spirit of a day that brought the community together in such a powerful way.

From the vibrant costumes and joyful music to the incredible people who lined the streets and filled the parade with life, it was an honour to stand alongside so many amazing participants and share in a moment of culture, pride, and connection.

Moments like these remind us why community matters so much. They bring people together, create lasting memories, and celebrate the traditions and creativity that make every parade so special.

We’re grateful to have been part of it, and even more grateful for the support, smiles, and excitement that made the day unforgettable. Proud to build. Proud to celebrate. Proud to be part of our community.

08/07/2026

Aug 9th canceled, Aug 16 extended session.

Due to circumstances beyond our control we have to make a change to the workshop schedule.

Please note that the Costume & Set Design Workshop scheduled for Sunday, August 9 has been cancelled.

Our next workshop will take place on:

📅 Sunday, August 16
🕐 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 UNIA 2741 Rue Notre-Dame O.

This extended session will give us plenty of time to work together designing and creating Caribbean-inspired costumes and set pieces for our upcoming Anansi Alive production.

Refreshments will be provided.

Thank you for your understanding and flexibility. We look forward to seeing you on August 16 for an afternoon of creativity and collaboration!

08/06/2026

See the journey of our Cycles of Life panel discussions so far and learn how you can join our next important conversation!

At West-Can, we believe that understanding our traditions is the key to preserving our future. Through this panel series, we are sitting at the feet of our elders and knowledge keepers to explore the milestone events of life across the Caribbean diaspora.

A Look Back at our Journey:
👶🏾 Panel 1: Birth & Naming Rituals. We explored how we welcome new life, the sacred art of mother’s care, and introducing a child to the village.

🥁 Panel 2: Celebration of Life & Community Healing. We gathered online to dissect the healing power of rhythm, the traditional Bele dance, and the Salaka Feast with our cultural practitioners.

Now, we invite you to join the next circle:
We are moving into the next phase of the cycle to discuss a topic that touches us all deeply, yet is rarely discussed openly before it happens.

🗓️ Panel 3: Death & Mourning Practices
📅 Date: Saturday, September 13th
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST
📍 Location: Online via Zoom

🕯️ What we will explore: Wake ceremonies, morning rituals, the Caribbean 9-Night tradition, and how our communities rally to support families through grief and transition.

How to Register:
1️⃣ Watch till the end of the video.
2️⃣ Scan the QR code with your phone camera.
3️⃣ Secure your free Zoom spot!

Let's gather, learn, and heal together. 🤎

This production is proudly presented by West-Can Folk Performing Company and funded by the Government of Canada.

08/03/2026

"Build community. Share stories. Create together."

Anansi, the legendary keeper of stories, has always sat at the heart of African and Caribbean folktales. We have honored that lineage by gathering to design the world he will inhabit on our stage.

Through sketching, planning, and intergenerational dialogue, our first workshop session proved that when we make space for collective creativity, magical things happen. Our elders shared wisdom, our youth brought fresh vision, and together, we took our first steps as co-creators of Anansi Alive!

Thank you to our amazing first-session participants for bringing your beautiful energy!

The story is unfolding, and there is still space for you. Mark your calendars for our next two sessions:
🗓️ Sunday, August 9
🗓️ Sunday, August 16
@ UNIA, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Come help us bring the stage to life.

07/31/2026

If you are going to be in Toronto on August 1st come find us. 🌺

West-Can Folk Performing Company will be on the road at the Toronto Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade 2026 in full costume representing our community and our culture with everything we have.

Every year the Grand Parade fills the city with color, creativity, and Caribbean rhythm. Thousands of masqueraders. Spectacular costumes. The sounds of soca and calypso echoing down the lakeshore.

It is the largest celebration of its kind in North America.
And we will be right in the middle of it. 🎉

Bring your family. Bring your friends. Come out and celebrate with us.

🗓️ August 1, 2026
🕙 Grounds open 10:00am to 10:00pm
📍 Marilyn Bell Park | Exhibition Place | Inukshuk Park
Lakeshore Blvd between Strachan and Dowling Bridge

See you on the road. 🥁🌺

07/30/2026

What an incredible first session of our Anansi Alive! Set & Costume Design Workshop!

On July 26th, we gathered at UNIA and took our first steps toward bringing Anansi’s world to life. Our community, bridging youth and elders came together to share stories, brainstorm, and sketch out the visual magic of our upcoming community theatre production.

From analyzing model stages to sketching costume concepts, the room was filled with laughter, collaboration, and pure creativity. Seeing our youngest participants and our seasoned elders working side-by-side around the design table was a beautiful reminder of why West-Can does this work. We aren't just building a set; we are building community. 🛠️🎨

Thank you to everyone who showed up, shared their vision, and helped lay the foundation for this production.

Missed the first one? Don't worry, we are just getting started! You can still join the circle.

📅 Next Workshop: Sunday, August 9th
clock Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Location: UNIA (2741 Notre Dame O.)
No experience necessary—all are welcome!

Register Now - https://form.jotform.com/253626603110244

Be part of the story. Be part of the stage. 💛

07/29/2026

West-Can Folk Performing Company had the honor of closing the Afro-Canadian Alliance walk with the heartbeat of our ancestors.

From the first beat of the drum, we called the community to the yard celebrating resilience, freedom, and connection through rhythm. Thank you to everyone who walked, gathered, and moved with us. This is what community looks like: standing together, drumming together, and honoring our shared history.

See the energy, the faces, and the moments that made this evening unforgettable.

The drum is the bridge between where we’ve been and where we’re going.

07/28/2026

At the end of a powerful journey, we met the rhythm.

West-Can was deeply honored to provide the grounding heartbeat at the culmination of the Afro-Canadian Alliance Emancipation Walk & Candlelight Vigil.

As our community walked together through the city streets carrying candles of remembrance, resilience, and hope, our youth and drummers stood ready to receive them.

The drum has always been our compass. It was used to signal freedom, to preserve our history, and to heal our spirits. To hear these ancient rhythms echo against the modern Montreal skyline at dusk was a beautiful reminder that our culture is not just a relic of the past but it is a living, breathing force.

Thank you to the Afro-Canadian Alliance for organizing this sacred space, and to everyone who walked, held a candle, and stood in the circle with us.

We carry the light forward together. 🕯️✊🏾

Watch the video to hear the power of the drums echoing through the twilight.

SHARE this post to keep the energy of Emancipation Season alive!

Hashtags:

Adresse

Montreal, QC

Heures d'ouverture

Mardi	5:30pm - 11pm
Jeudi	12pm - 11pm
Vendredi	12pm - 5pm
Dimanche	12pm - 5pm

Téléphone

+15146419149

Site Web

http://www.westcanfolk.com/

Notifications

Soyez le premier à savoir et laissez-nous vous envoyer un courriel lorsque West-Can Folk Performing Company publie des nouvelles et des promotions. Votre adresse e-mail ne sera pas utilisée à d'autres fins, et vous pouvez vous désabonner à tout moment.