Big show on the Plains, tribute to Sinéad O’Connor… In short, summer has not said its last word! Here are our journalists’ suggestions.
Plains of emotions
On August 13, 1974, Félix Leclerc, Gilles Vigneault and Robert Charlebois wrote what could be described as the birth certificate of modern Quebec song by presenting the legendary show on the Plains of Abraham I saw the wolf, the fox, the lion, immortalized on an equally legendary disc. Fifty years later, this same Quebec song has changed a lot, and now has many faces, several of which will be represented on Friday during a big celebration (unfortunately) called Plains of songs. Diane Dufresne who plays Oxygen with the throat singing of Béatrice Deer and Sylvia Cloutier? The wolf Robert Charlebois who leaves again on Québec Air with, as royal co-pilots, his five decades younger sisters Lou-Adriane Cassidy and Ariane Roy? A tribute number to Jean-Pierre Ferland bringing together Hubert Lenoir, Sarahmée, Simon Kearney, Pierre Lapointe, Marie-Pierre Arthur and Souldia? Pierre Lapointe and Pierre Kwenders kissing in a duet Love still exists of Olympian Celine? That’s starting to be a lot of opportunities to spend an evening full of emotions.
Dominic Tardif, The Press
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Tribute to Sinéad O’Connor
PHOTO TAKEN FROM SINÉAD O’CONNOR’S OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE
Sinéad O’Connor
On July 26, 2023, it was shockingly announced that Sinéad O’Connor had been found dead in her London home at the age of 56. The inquest that followed concluded that she had died of “natural causes.” One year to the day after this sad event, PopMontréal presents a tribute to the unforgettable Irish singer entitled Universal Mother, a title borrowed from her 1994 album that features powerful songs like Famine, Thank You For Hearing Me, Fire in Babylon and her cover of Nirvana’s All Apologies. Giselle Weber (Orkestar Kriminal), Erika Angell (Thus Owl), Katie Moore and Matt Holubowski are among the artists who will take to the Sala Rossa stage on Friday, starting at 8 p.m. Proceeds from this show will go to Maison bleue, which supports young mothers and families in difficulty.
Alexandre Vigneault, The Press
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ComediHa! salutes Just for Laughs
PHOTO JOHN AMIS, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Iliza Shlesinger in June 2021
By taking over the majority of Just for Laughs assets, ComediHa! also got its hands on Just for Laughs last May, one of the world’s most important hubs for comedy in the language of George Carlin. Although it does not have its usual scope, the current edition of the festival, which began on Friday, will welcome some major names in American comedy, including Dane Cook (July 27), the second comedian in history to have sold out Madison Square Garden, and Iliza Shlesinger, who will close the event on July 28 on the Place des Festivals. After presenting no fewer than six shows on Netflix, the one who does not shy away from any taboo is preparing to capture her Get Ready Tour for broadcast on Prime Video. Montrealer Pantelis, known for saying out loud what no one thinks even in secret in his heart, will ensure in both cases to soften the crowd, while honoring his title of “last of the real ones.”
Dominic Tardif, The Press
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The return of the Montreal Forró Festival
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Singer Flavia Nascimento and accordionist Juninho Dias
Having disappeared since the pandemic, the Forró Montréal Festival is reborn this year and is taking place in different neighbourhoods across the city. The party begins in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve this Friday with Forró de Mané (Studio PJE, 4560, rue Adam). It continues on Saturday with Forró Entre Amis (our photo) at Sala Rossa and on Sunday with Forró Rasta Paix at the Union française. Dance, singing and body percussion workshops are also offered on Saturday and Sunday with Brazilian teachers, some of whom now live in Canada or the United States. Forró is a style of music originating from northeastern Brazil designed to get people dancing to music marked by the accordion and drums.
Alexandre VigneaultThe Press
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Belmont on tour
PHOTO THIERRY DU BOIS, PROVIDED BY THE OPEN EYE THEATER
The musical show Belmont
The tour of Belmont“a poetic, theatrical and musical fresco” inspired by the world of Diane Dufresne, is stopping by Espace culturel Le Carré 150 in Victoriaville this week. The show directed by Jade Bruneau will be presented this summer at Salle André-Mathieu in Laval (August 8 and 9); at Théâtre Desjardins in LaSalle (August 17); then at Patriote in Sainte-Agathe (starting August 23). Well received when it premiered in August 2023, Belmont features five singer-actresses who embody five facets of the great Diane Dufresne, including Geneviève Alarie and Catherine Sénart in the roles of the madwoman and the diva, with “breathtaking” performances!
Luc Boulanger, The Press
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Head to Saint-Sauveur for the Arts Festival
PHOTO FRANCOIS ROY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Artistic director of FASS, Guillaume Côté will also present the new creation of Côté Danse, Burn, Baby Burn.
Direction Saint-Sauveur for the 33e edition of the FASS (Saint-Sauveur Arts Festival) until August 2. As usual, the program offers a wide range of artistic offerings, from classical music to dance. Several shows are already sold out, but there were still tickets available, particularly for the mixed program Soirée des étoiles, bringing together exceptional performers from the greatest companies here and abroad, Burn, Baby Burna new creation by Guillaume Côté, also artistic director of the festival as well as for the North American premiere of Contemporary Dance 2.0 (Gauthier Dance x Hofesh Schechter). Several free activities for young and old are added to the set.
Iris Gagnon-Paradis, The Press
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Traditional music in the spotlight
PHOTO HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT, THE PRESS
Musician Éric Beaudry will be on stage with the groups De Temps Antan and La Bottine Souriante.
The traditional music festival Mémoire et racines is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. For the occasion, several renowned groups will be performing on the outdoor stages of Parc Saint-Jean-Bosco, in Saint-Charles-Borromée, in Lanaudière. A few names, in bulk: De Temps Antan, Galant tu perds ton temps and La Bottine Souriante (with its guests). Several shows for children and dance and music workshops are offered during this resolutely family festival. Until July 28.
Stephanie Morin, The Press
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The rhythms of Haiti
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The Boukman Eksperyans group performing in Montreal in 2015
The root and voodoo music of the groups Boukman Eksperyans and RAM will liven up La Fontaine Park on Saturday and Sunday as the 18the edition of Haiti en folie. In addition to musical performances by these international guests, festival-goers will be able to hear many Quebec artists, including Shreez and Täbï Yösha. A gourmet fair as well as educational and artistic workshops will highlight Haitian culture. Haiti en folie also includes DJ performances at the Jardins Gamelin as well as online conferences and at the Afromusée.
Haiti Madness, from July 24 to 28, in different locations
Veronique Larocque, The Press
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