National Day | What to see, what to do

What to see, what to do this week? Here are the cultural suggestions of our journalists.

Stephanie Morin
The Press

Veronique Larocque
The Press

Iris Gagnon Paradise
The Press

Montreal is reborn with Patrice Michaud, Alicia Moffet, Roxane Bruneau

In Montreal, the Grand spectacle de la fête nationale will take place on June 23 at the Place des Festivals. Entitled I love my language and hosted by Pierre-Yves Lord, it will bring together 30 singers, musicians and dancers, including Patrice Michaud, Alicia Moffet, Jay Scott, Sarahmée, Les Louanges, FouKi, Ariane Roy, Kathia Rock, Roxane Bruneau and Michel Pagliaro. The show will be broadcast the next day on ICI Radio-Canada Télé and TVA.

FouKi, Hubert Lenoir, Klô Pelgag and co. in Laval

Laval is celebrating “Saint-Jean” in style this year by bringing together several important names in music on the stage of the Center de la nature. FouKi, Hubert Lenoir, Klô Pelgag, High Klassified, Les Louanges, Lisa LeBlanc, Patrice Michaud, Isabelle Boulay, Samian and Sarahmée will perform classic Quebec songs, but also musical discoveries. The patriotic text that will launch this evening of June 24 was co-written by Michel Marc Bouchard and Caroline Dawson. A free shuttle service to the Montmorency and Cartier metro stations will be offered at the end of the evening. Opening of the site at 5:30 p.m., start of the show at 8:30 p.m.

Salebarbes will lead the way on the Plains of Abraham

The group Salebarbes will host the main musical show presented on June 23 at 9 p.m. on the Plains of Abraham, in Quebec. The group will be surrounded by several guests, including Richard Séguin, Marjo, Mélissa Bédard, Jérôme 50, Florent Vollant and Lou-Adriane Cassidy. The artists Pépé and his guitar and Marco Calliari will be in charge of the first part, starting at 6:30 p.m. The patriotic speech will be read by Marc Labrèche. The show will be broadcast on Télé-Québec from 9:30 p.m.

Ariane Moffatt and Louis-Jean Cormier in Gatineau

The Rue Laval sector, in the Vieux-Hull district, will host the National Day festivities on June 23. For the occasion, Ariane Moffatt and Louis-Jean Cormier will share the stage. The show is free. Still in Gatineau, but in Parc des Cèdres, two shows are planned as part of the Outaouais en fête festival with, in one case, Tire le coyote and Hubert Lenoir (June 23) and, in the other, Cœur pirate and Émile Bilodeau (June 24). Ticket purchase is required for these last two shows.

The Dashing Cowboys in Repentigny

On June 24, the Fringant Cowboys return to their corner of the country to celebrate the national holiday on the stage of the Île-Lebel park, in Repentigny, to present the songs of their 10^e album, Antipode. DJ Abeille will open the ball at 5 p.m., followed by singer-songwriter Steve Provost. The Cowboys are expected from 8:30 p.m. Their performance will be followed by a pyromusical show.

The Three Accords in Varennes

” A lot of pleasure ! Here is what we can predict for spectators who will travel to Varennes on June 23 to hear Les Trois Accords, whether or not they are playing the title track from their most recent studio album. A concert of sunny songs given in a pretty park along the St. Lawrence River followed by fireworks, it’s perfect to start the summer on the right foot. Food trucks will be on site. Hop lovers, take the opportunity to taste one of the three beers brewed especially for the 350^e anniversary of this Montérégie town. Note that the group will be in Saint-Constant the next day. From 7 p.m., at the Parc de la Commune, in Varennes. The show starts at 8:30 p.m.

Quality Motel and Fanny Bloom in Saint-Constant

In Montérégie, the Base de plein air de Saint-Constant will host the National Day show on June 24. On stage: singer Alexis Arbour, followed at 7:30 p.m. by the group Qualité Motel and their special guests, including Fanny Bloom. Les Trois Accords are then expected from 8:45 p.m. for a one and a half hour show. The evening will end with a fireworks display. A school bus shuttle service will be offered throughout the evening.

SudBest at the Lachine Canal

Head to the southwest of the city for the second edition of the SudBest event, which offers a very special program for this Saint-Jean weekend. A dozen neighborhood merchants and as many restaurants will be on hand to showcase their products, satisfy empty stomachs and quench thirsty throats. A fine musical and artistic program will also be honoured, including three veterans of the Quebec alternative scene on the evening of the national holiday: Lost Heroes, Lexis and Poirier. Entrance to the site is free and pets are accepted. June 24, 25 and 26 at 40, rue des Seigneurs.