The Paper Bag Lunch Chats Series (PBLC)

Introducing: The Paper Bag Lunch Chats Series (PBLC)

Angélique Willkie, Concordia University Research Chair (CURC) in Ecologies of B/black Performance, is pleased to announce the launch of a new initiative: The Paper Bag Lunch Chats Series (PBLC).

What is PBLC?
The series invites accomplished artists into Concordia's Dance Department to share insights into their creative practices through informal, dialogue-driven lunch chats. This is a space to centre artists whose work sparks critical reflection and exchange.  Conversations will centre on three core themes: Priority, Practice, Process.

Upcoming Sessions

• January 29 12:30pm - 1:30pm with Cherish Menzo

• February 12 12:30pm - 1:30pm with Dedra McDermott

Why Attend?
Bring your lunch, engage in stimulating conversation, and learn directly from leading artists in an intimate and welcoming setting.

Be of service and bring people together.

 
That is the fundamental principle upon which Dedra McDermott has founded her career. As a Jamaican, First-Generation Canadian, her love of movement began in her mother’s living room.  Training in diverse dance forms as a youth, she has been fortunate to have a successful career as a professional contemporary dancer (Film/TV/Stage). Through consistent commitment, Dedra has charted a robust, challenging, and exceptionally rewarding path that has allowed undeniable range in the live performance sector. Her educational background (BFA, MA, MFA) has allowed for cross- disciplinary artistic knowledge that includes live performance and visual culture. Following two significant concussions, Dedra became a dancer who is also an artist-researcher, emerging curator, producer, administrator, and movement dramaturg. In all facets of her evolving artistic practice, she prioritizes and supports the choreographic voices working to re-educate the public on the realities of Black histories across the diaspora, inclusive of Latin American and Caribbean stories.

Notable recent work includes the public program Cartographies of Presence: Live at Mercer Union: a centre for contemporary art (2024) and her previous role of Co-Executive Artistic Producer of DanceWorks, a choreographic presentation platform in Toronto, Canada (Aug. 2023 - Aug. 2025).

Picture Credit: Christine Do