Weekend plans | To start April off right

The eclipse of the century

We’ve been hearing about it for months. The moment has finally arrived. It is Monday afternoon that the Moon and the Sun will offer a rare celestial spectacle: a total solar eclipse over southern Quebec. For the occasion, a large festive and free event is organized at Espace 67 in Parc Jean-Drapeau, where the public is expected from 11 a.m. In addition to a performance by Diane Dufresne, spectators will be able to hear a delayed performance from the Orchester Métropolitain, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Host Sophie Fouron, DJ Champion, as well as astrophysicist Laurie Rousseau-Nepton will take the stage to bridge the gap between art and nature. On the site, visitors will also be able to meet Planetarium experts. Some 150,000 pairs of protective solar eclipse glasses will be distributed to participants, while supplies last.

Véronique Larocque, The Press

Visit the Jean-Drapeau Park website

Soleil Launière and Willows in Glass Bottle

The Musique Nomade record label has organized a series of shows featuring Indigenous artists, which will take place in April at Verre Bouteille. First on April 8, a double set will bring together two gifted and inspired singer-songwriters, Willows and Soleil Launière – the latter is also participating in the Francouvertes this year. On April 14, it will be the turn of Hank Gromelski, who will present songs from his first album, with among others Marco Gosselin as musical director (Harvest Breed, The Lemming Ways). Finally, on the 15th, Dan-Georges McKenzie and Shauit will share the stage in the small venue on avenue du Mont-Royal. Three evenings which promise to be rich in both music and emotions.

Josée Lapointe, The Press

Visit the event page

The underside of being a conductor

Are you curious to better understand the meaning of the gestures made by conductors during a concert? The general public is invited to discover behind the scenes of this profession by attending a master class that Yannick Nézet-Séguin will give to the six members of the Conducting Academy of the Orchester Métropolitain. This is the opportunity to see the emerging conductors at work who will take turns directing the musicians following the advice of the maestro.

Saturday, April 6, at 2 p.m., at the Pierre-Mercure room

Véronique LarocqueThe Press

Consult the Pierre-Mercure room page

Alexandra Spicey Landé

Recipient of the Discovery Prize of the Prix de la Danse de Montréal in 2019 with his work In-Wardchoreographer Alexandra Spicey Landé returns with a new creation and solo performance, Monad. The opportunity to delve into the world of this creator, one of the leading figures of the hip hop scene in Quebec who is interested here in the notion of eternity and interrelated universes; Monad (from the ancient Greek “monas”, meaning “unity”) evoking this idea of ​​a unicellular and self-sufficient organism containing within itself several universes.

From April 4 to 7 and April 10 to 13, presented by Danse-Cité at La Chapelle Scènes Contemporaines

Iris Gagnon-Paradis, The Press

Visit the show page

The Empire Strips Back at the National

Do you have a Facebook or Instagram account? So you must have seen one of the advertisements for the show The Empire Strips Back which transports the universe and characters of Star Wars into that of sexy burlesque. Its creators present it as a parody that makes excessive use of pop songs ranging from Miley Cyrus to Bonnie Tyler. However, once the curtain opens, we rather have the feeling of finding ourselves in a strip bar in Mos Eisley, on Tatooine. There is no total nudity, but the choreography is limited and there is an almost total absence of second degree. The accessories and costumes, on the other hand, are frankly astonishing. If you’ve always dreamed of seeing Princess Leïa getting spanked in a g-string, you’ll be delighted. Otherwise, you may leave at intermission, like the author of these lines. For a Star Wars parody worthy of the name, keep an eye on the projects of Productions de l’Épopée.

At the National until April 28

Alexandre Vigneault, The Press

Visit the event page