Weekend plans | To savor the last throes of summer

Literary stop at the Correspondances d’Eastman

This weekend is the perfect opportunity to go for a ride to Eastman, in Estrie, for the 22^e edition of the Correspondances d’Eastman, which will be held from Friday to Sunday at the Théâtre La Marjolaine. Among many other events around the theme of revolts, the literary show Cosse, what do you think, my little man? will feature the world of Jack Kerouac on Friday evening, with Robert Lalonde, Tomás Jensen and Karèya. On Saturday, several literary cafés are on the program, including a discussion on the issues of our contemporary world between the finalists of the 2024 LQ Essay Prize, Jean-Philippe Pleau, Gabrielle Giasson-Dulude and Michel Lacroix. There will also be a reading-performance in the evening, Voice architecturestaken from a correspondence between Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette and Steve Gagnon, as well as a major interview with Michel Jean, Sunday afternoon, on the indigenous revolts. Tickets are on sale online.

Laila Maalouf, The Press

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A new festival to stretch out the summer

Oh no, summer isn’t over yet. Festival season, even less so. As proof: tonight is the start of the brand new Palomosa festival, at Parc Jean-Drapeau, from the happy gang that we already owe Piknic Électronik and Igloofest. On the menu: a block party under the Calder, to inaugurate it all, in the form of a festive 5 to 10 (free before 7 p.m., then $10), with High Klassified, KidCrayola and YKTV. Two big names are expected next, to mark the occasion of this new eclectic celebration of pop, rock, R&B and electro music, who here succeeds the late Meg Montréal: the “prince of the dark side of French electro”, Gesaffelstein, on Friday, and the “Colombian queen” of pop Kali Uchis, on Saturday. Also to be mentioned are Destroy Lonely, Jai Paul, Yves Tumor, SHYGIRL, Yung Lean, Snow Strippers, as well as BADBADNOTGOOD. Attention all those who are interested: two Afters have been added to the lineup, to extend the Friday and Saturday evenings, this time at the Société des arts technologiques (SAT).

Silvia Galipeau, The Press

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Weeks of slam

Francophone poetry and slam will be in the spotlight at the first Grand Slam international de Montréal (GSIMtl), which will take place from September 9 to November 17. More than 20 shows in various neighbourhoods will feature seasoned slam poets, as well as giving beginners the chance to get started. Launched by poet Ivan Bielinski, aka IVY, the festival promises a host of varied activities and competitions, such as the Slam Marathon and the Francophonies, which will feature local and international talent.

Pascal LeBlanc, The Press

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The boy in the last row to the Unicorn

Arriving from Quebec, where it caused a stir when it was presented in 2023, this play by Spaniard Juan Mayorga tells the story of Claude, 17, and his literature teacher, Germain. The former will shake up the life – and the entire value system – of the latter by giving him a text in which he describes, not without contempt, the daily life of a classmate’s family. Claude’s fascination with this family will quickly lead Germain into a dark spiral. A powerful text, carried by actors in full possession of their means (including Hugues Frenette and Vincent Paquette). A little gem that opens the season of La Licorne in style. Until September 14

Stephanie Morin, The Press

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Play Dead taken over by the Drôle d’oiseau festival

Created this summer by the Montreal collective People Watching, Play Dead was the Cinderella show at the last Montréal Complètement cirque festival. A piece where you will see the best in acrobatic dance in an almost cinematic setting. It is inventive, brilliant, touching, magical. And it is taken up by the new Drôle d’oiseau festival, co-founded by circus artist Maxim Laurin. Not to be missed.

September 6 at the Théâtre Desjardins at Cégep André-Laurendeau in LaSalle

Jean Siag, The Press

Read our review of the play

Visit the play’s page on the Théâtre Desjardins website

Symphonic tribute to the Beatles

A major symphonic concert dedicated to the Beatles will be presented on September 7 at the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier in Montreal, then on tour in several venues in Quebec. The FILMharmonique Orchestra, led by the young and brilliant conductor Francis Choinière, will perform with the Classical Mystery Tour, a Beatles tribute band that has existed for 22 years, to perform pieces by the four boys in the wind. Penny Lane has Twist and Shoutof Let It Be has Hey Judeclassical music will honor the beauty and timelessness of the melodies of the Beatles, who first set foot on North American soil 50 years ago.

Josée Lapointe, The Press

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