Bran Van 3000
James Di Salvio’s legendary troupe came together this year for a few concerts. It’s quite an event, therefore, that Bran Van 3000 is part of the program of the Noël dans le parc festival, which is moreover for the closing show on Saturday at Émilie-Gamelin park, in Montreal. A lot of groove and joy are to be expected during this evening (free) which will continue after midnight with the trad group Mélisande.
Josee Lapointe, The Press
Mononc’ Serge
PHOTO DAVID LEBLANC, PROVIDED BY THE GROUP
Mononc’ Serge and the Crosmonauts
We can always count on Mononc’ Serge to break with tradition. A thousand leagues from Viennese waltzes and rigodons, he will present his “astrorock” on Friday at the Foufounes Electriques as part of his tour parties in space. With his group the Crosmonautes, Mononc’ Serge will sing his old hits as well as pieces from his most recent album, Year 8000, and it will be as loud and irreverent as we like it. Opening act: techno-futuristic metal band MR.82
Josee Lapointe, The Press
Rita Baga
PHOTO SARAH MONGEAU-BIRKETT, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Drag queen Rita Baga
The most famous of drags, Rita Baga, has concocted a unique New Year’s show, which will be presented on Saturday at L’Étoile DIX30. She will be surrounded by special guests for the occasion: Sasha Baga and Petula Claque, from the show The flirt in meas well as the winner of the third season of Canada’s Drag Race, Gisèle Lullaby, in addition to singer Maxime Landry and his band. It is certain, the great Rita will give the party funniest, scintillating and extravagant in town.
Josee Lapointe, The Press
Tobogganing in Quebec
PHOTO SARAH MONGEAU-BIRKETT, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Vincent Vallieres
The outdoor festivities planned in the Old Port of Montreal may have been canceled, but not those of Quebec. As part of the Toboggan event, a winter village has been set up near the parliament, and several shows will be presented there. On Friday, two stars of Quebec electro music, Marie Davidson and CRi, will get the crowds dancing. Then on Saturday, the traditional group Les grands hurleurs will open the evening, followed by Vincent Vallières, then the international DJs Murda Beatz and Regard will lead the public until the stroke of midnight.
Josee Lapointe, The Press
Tribute to Vienna
PHOTO CHRIS LEE, PROVIDED BY ATTILA GLATZ CONCERT PRODUCTIONS INC.
The show Tribute to Vienna combines ballet and music.
The show Tribute to Vienna will be back in Montreal and Quebec on the 1er and January 2 to celebrate the arrival of the new year in style. The arias of Johann Strauss and his contemporaries will be played by the Strauss Orchestra of each city, under the direction of conductor Christoph Campestrini. Soprano Peggy Steiner and tenor Michael Heim will perform arias and duets taken from comic operettas, and to add to the decorum, the dancers of the Europaballett will launch into great whirling waltzes.
Josee Lapointe, The Press
The Vigil of Two Days Before
PHOTO ANNIE DIOTTE, SUPPLIED BY THE NORTH WIND
The North wind
End of year music event The Vigil of Two Days Before returns on Friday. Le Vent du Nord and fiddler Dâvi Simard headline the festive concert, which will also include Biz, Stéphane Archambault (My ancestors), Grüv’n Brass, a quintet of “dance” musicians and the “caller” Yaëlle Azoulay . This is the 25e Two-eve vigilwhich, after an enforced pandemic hiatus, is returning by switching from Club Soda to MTelus.
Alexandre Vigneault, The Press