Choreographer Benoit Lachambre takes home Montreal dance prize for promoting art

MONTREAL – Quebec choreographer and performance artist Benoit Lachambre has been awarded the 2013 Montreal Dance Prize for exceptional contributions to the promotion and advancement of dance.

The Montreal-based artist is artistic director of Par B.L.eux, as well as a performer, internationally acclaimed choreographer, researcher and educator.

The $50,000 award celebrates the excellence of a dance artist who presented a work in Montreal between July 1, 2012, and June 30, 2013.

Lachambre, who was hailed for his fearlessness in exploring movement, presented “Snakeskins” in October 2012.

Also honoured in a ceremony Tuesday at Place des arts was Daniel Leveille, who was given the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Quebec for best choreographed work in the 2012-2013 artistic season.

He was singled out for his work “Solitudes Solo,” which the selection committee said stood out for its brilliant performances and compelling gestural language.