écoute active

Écoute Active is a non-profit that presents music, sculpture, painting, drawing and photography to the public — with a democratic approach to curation and an emphasis on community participation, through spaces, exhibitions, performances and gatherings.

Écoute Active’s current project is operating Parquette, a community and cultural space at 1345 Bellechasse.

Third space

Parquette is a space of over 7,000 square feet that reshapes itself to fit what’s needed. Day to day, it’s a café, a coworking space and a gathering place. A diverse community comes together here — in the café, the main hall, the mezzanine, the garden and on the dance floor — to work and to meet. Parquette opens its space to all kinds of activities: classes, activity nights, magazine, music and dance launches, and more.

“Parquette is a rare place. An anchor in the city — a space where ideas circulate, where connections form, and where culture takes shape in a living way. It rests on values of respect, kindness, inclusion and creativity.”

— Véronique, designer and artist

The café

Since September 2025, Parquette has run a café open every day, where you can work, chat and build connections. Check our menu and photos on Google Maps, or come see us at 1345 Bellechasse.

“As the social fabric frays, Parquette and its apérettes act as a real beacon. I discovered a community of creative, generous and sensitive souls. I found friends there, and even a second family.”

— Hamza, photographer

Arts, classes and gatherings

Parquette offers a range of classes for different groups and skill levels, like yoga, Guachafit and Waacking. You can find the current schedule on Parquette’s site. We also host events like mending nights and chess nights. And we present cultural events such as launches, openings, live music, harm-reduction discussions and zines.

Apérette

Apérette is a series of cultural events on Thursday evenings that aims to democratize art and culture: drawing nights, live music, ceramics openings, listening sessions, life drawing and readings — 14 editions so far.

“Over the past year, Parquette has become, in my eyes, a true community centre — one that, through its many activities, brings together people of all ages and all walks of life, whether to take weekly classes, attend talks, book launches, dance nights, or simply grab a coffee.”

— Léa

Dance

Parquette also throws festive dance events. The best known is the Flip series, already 13 editions in. We’re continuing that lineage with the Party Time series, along with other events organized by Montreal collectives.