In June
Francos of Montreal
In Montreal, from June 9 to 18
Montrealers and the brave who dare to cross the bridges are once again invited to converge on the Quartier des spectacles, without restriction but not without caution. Under the benevolent gaze of the late Karim Ouelletto whom this 33e edition is dedicated, the song in French in the text will exult in broad daylight: from Diane Tell at Louis Jean Cormierof Jacques-Michel at Hubert Lenoirof Loud Lary Adjust at Emile BilodeauofEdith Butler incandescent Juliet Armanet, some 120 free shows are on the vast, vast program. In the rooms, we will aboulera a little money to go see Clara Luciani, Eddy De Prettofor the happiness of finally finding MC Solar and Yann Tiersenand to do good in the company of Lynda Lemay, Damian Robitaille, Ariane Moffatt and Patrice Michaud, among other joy-propagators. Abundant choice, happy reunions: this is the promise of programmer Laurent Saulnier.
Sylvain Cormier
Tadoussac Song Festival
In Tadoussac, from June 16 to 19
The venerable north-coastal festival will find its audience for a 38e edition, with a particularly enticing poster. The big one Diane Dufresne will be on the trip to sing in church, Stephen Faulkner will carry his guitar there, the Acadian legend Edith Butler and yves Lambert will respond. The ditto youth: Emile Bilodeau, Praise, Salome Leclerc, Valence, Thierry The Rose and Marie-Claudel will come across party regulars on the banks of the river, such as Lisa LeBlanc, Patrick Michaud and Vincent Vallieres. And for the first time since the start of the pandemic, the event announces the return of the shuttle service leading from the rooms in the heart of the village to the campsite with around 200 places made available to festival-goers in goguettes and bags of sleeping. And if you feel like hanging on to the region, Summer evenings in the garden will host until the end of August Damien Robitaille, Shauit or Jay Scott.
Philippe Renaud
In July
Montreal International Jazz Festival
In Montreal, from June 30 to July 9
The organization of the Festival international de jazz de Montréal has pulled out all the stops to ensure that music lovers return in droves to the city center to unite around jazz and its corollaries: this poster of concerts, indoors and on outdoor stages , is one of the most impressive we have ever read in recent memory. The outdoor poster alone is worth seeing: Tash Sultana in the opening concert, the British soul-jazz voice Corinne Bailey Raethe new apostle of spiritual jazz Kamasi Washington, Bombino and The Daughters of Illighadad to taste the blues of the Sahel, the hip-hop–funk orchestra The Roots at the closing concert. What good, what tough! It’s just as attractive in theaters: Pink Martinithe pianist Robert Glasper, Dominique Fils-Aime, Christian ScottaTunde Adjuaha series led by the prodigious American drummer Makaya McCraven, woodkidthe American-Pakistani revelation Arooj Aftab ! We will be pampered.
Philippe Renaud
Quebec Summer Festival
In Quebec, from July 6 to 17
Give us permission to warm up this threadbare but appropriate pun after two years of the pandemic: the Plains of Abraham will be full of festival-goers! Finally, the organization is delighted, which sold out in record time the passports giving access to nearly 120 concerts, indoors and on outdoor stages. Among the most anticipated artists, the return of committed rockers from Rage Against the Machinethe Canadian icon Alanis Morissette with Garbage in the first part, the rapper LOUD offering a concert specially designed for the Plains, Charlotte Cardin, NOBRO, Big Led, Wild Thingsthe Vancouverites of The Weather Station, Lydia Kepinski, Lido Pimienta, Half Moon Run, The Two Luxes, among others. The FEQ also rolls out the red carpet to representatives of the hip-hop scene, many of whom have been invited: Freddie Gibs, Sarahmee, Denzel Curry, 2 chains, Calamine, Lil Tecca, Romeo Elvis, Rymz, Young MA (a first visit to Quebec, finally!), Koriass…
Philippe Renaud
Montreal completely circus
In Montreal, from July 7 to 17
First, there will be the three giants, who will welcome the stars of the Quebec circus, the Cirque Eloizethe Circus of the Seven Fingers and circus machine, free of charge at three sites in downtown Montreal. But the Montreal completely circus festival will also host an indoor program this summer, with several international companies, particularly from Scandinavia. At the opening, the festival offers
Caroline Montpetit
Just for Laughs and Just for Laugh
Zoofest & OFF-JFL
In Montreal, from July 13 to 31
The 40e Just for Laughs festival gives pride of place to large gatherings. Whereas Jean-Marc Parent takes possession of Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Mathieu Dufour and Mike Ward nothing less than a Bell Center each. Those who still have not mourned The evening is (still) young will perhaps achieve this by attending the well-cooked in two rounds dedicated to Jean Philippe Wauthier, Jean-Sebastien Girard and Olivier Niquet. In addition to the usual galas, there is a literary, humorous and musical celebration orchestrated at the Maison symphonique by David Goudreault. In the intimacy of the Claude-Léveillée room, we will notably find Alexandre Forest and Simon Delisle. On the side of Just for Laughs, the big names jostle at the gate: Marc Maron, Hasan Minhaj, Amy Schumer, Celeste Barber, Hannah Gadsby… To discover emerging comedians in unusual formats, it is without a doubt the 13e Zoofest & OFF-JFL that you have to attend.
Christian Saint Pierre
Saint-Sauveur Arts Festival
In Saint-Sauveur, from July 28 to August 7
After two online editions and then in a hybrid mode, the Festival des arts de Saint-Sauveur returns with an eclectic and international program. For his 31e anniversary, the Festival promises as always an Evening of Stars, with exceptional performers from London, New York and even Paris. The dance company straight from Brazil Malpaso Dance will also be on the program, with 11 performers who will unveil the work of three choreographers: Mats Ek, Assur Barton and Osnel Delgado, artistic director of the company. Finally, Vertigo Dance Company will present his creation One. One One choreographed by the artistic director of the Israeli company, noa Wertheim. On a ground covered with earth, the 10 dancers will embody the spiritual union with Mother Nature.
Leah Villalba
Osheaga
In Montreal, from July 29 to 31
After a “Retrouvailles” edition held in the middle of autumn last year, the organizers of the Osheaga festival hope to attract as many spectators as possible to this large renovated plain in Parc Jean-Drapeau, which they have only been able to fully enjoy once. , in the summer of 2019. Will the proposed poster manage to attract up to 60,000 festival-goers per day? A$AP Rocky, Dua Lipa and Arcade Fire (replacing the Foo Fighters at short notice) are the heads of this poster also bringing together the Nigerian star Burna Boythe electronic pop musician Charlie XCXsingulars 100gecsthe female post-punk sensation Wet Legthe belgian rapper Damso and some local talents, including Men I Trust, RobertRobert, Sophia Bel and Skifall.
Philippe Renaud
In August
ComediHa! festival
In Quebec, from August 3 to 27
The programming of the 23e edition of ComediHa! Fest is not yet completely revealed, but we can already tell you that six galas will be presented at the Capitole from August 12 to 19. At animation: Michael Courtemanche, Anthony Kavanagh, Marie-May, Michael Charette, Laurent Paquin and a tandem, that formed by Anna– Elisabeth Bosse and Guillaume Pineault. After the great success of the formula in 2021, the Grands Bien-Cuits will be back, still at the Capitole, from August 22 to 25. Will taste it this year: Norman Brathwaite, Michel Barrette, Martin Matte and Cathy Gauthierduring evenings respectively orchestrated by Laurent Paquin, Gildor Roy, Fabien Cloutier and Jean-Francois Mercier.
Christian Saint Pierre