This text is part of the special edition Pride Montreal
For the first time, Fierté Montréal is taking over the heart of the Quartier des spectacles.
“We’re going to present about ten shows, which mainly highlight racialized and marginalized communities,” says Chris Ngabonziza, director of programming and artistic development at Fierté Montréal, enthusiastically about the festival’s arrival on the Esplanade Tranquille. This year, the Loto-Québec stage, located at the intersection of Sainte-Catherine Ouest and Clark streets, will welcome many artists who will reveal to the general public the cultural diversity of the city’s LGBTQ+ communities.
After having notably given pride of place to martial arts and Bollywood at the very beginning of the Festival, the FeminiX evening will present on Sunday, August 4, a trio of extraordinary DJs with the legend Misstress Barbara, the pioneer Lady McCoy and the techno master Kris Tin. “It’s extremely symbolic, because the Quartier des spectacles is the epicentre of Montreal culture, and a lot of people don’t know everything that goes on here,” adds Chris Ngabonziza.
Fierté Montréal is also investing in Place des Arts for the first time with three performances of the successful documentary play Scissors, by (and with) Geneviève Labelle and Mélodie Noël Rousseau on lesbian memory on August 5, 6 and 7 at the Cinquième Salle. “There are testimonies of all kinds, ranging from political to artistic, and it’s really very modern and dynamic while educating,” explains Chris Ngabonziza. It is also one of his favorites from the 18e edition of the festival. “Montreal’s alternative queer scene is so vibrant, and we want to show it in a big way.”
Always with the aim of telling stories rooted in the spirit of the times, the event 11 Demands = 11 Short Films, in collaboration with Image+Nation, will return on August 5 and 6 at the NFB to highlight the commitments of the queer community and current societal demands.
Bigger, further
This year, Fierté Montréal also saw things in a big way, very big. “Honestly, I think it’s the biggest drag show live in the world, and that’s not even a joke,” says Chris Ngabonziza, referring to Drag Superstars, which will take place on August 9 from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. on the TD stage of the Olympic Park esplanade. Host Rita Baga will indeed be well surrounded, with Sasha Colby, Brooke Lynn Hytes, Naomi Smalls, La Grande Dame, Venus, Alvilda, Mistress Isabelle Brooks, Black Peppa, Tenderoni, Denim and Sisi Superstar. “It’s going to be pretty legendary,” promises the programmer, who is delighted to have managed to bring together both local drag queens and those from the RuPaul’s Drag Race franchises. He continues: “I really want to make sure that there is a place for everyone at Pride and I have to say that the Montreal comedy scene is extremely interesting.”
While entertainment and education are the focus at Pride, Chris Ngabonziza is keen to anchor the festival in the social and political context of the times. “With the far right rising all over the world, with everything that’s happening in Palestine, there’s so much at stake… And our pride, our job, “It’s about making all these causes visible in an extremely peaceful way,” he says. And always festive.
Chris Ngabonziza finally invites night owls to join him on August 3 at Club Soda for the Fantasme evening. “It’s a big party with three underground lesbian-queer feminist collectives and sex workers striptease,” he warns. Montreal’s diversity and plurality have not had their last word with Pride.
Also to see at Pride this year
This content was produced by the Special Publications Team of Dutyrelevant to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part in it.