We still take advantage of the beautiful days of August to fill up on cultural events. Here are some ideas.
It’s the last weekend of the 55th edition of the Festival international de la chanson de Granby. You can come and applaud the finalists of the Grand Concours Hydro-Québec, one of the largest French-language song contests in North America, at the Palace de Granby. The final will take place on Sunday, August 20, at 7:30 p.m., with Kanen as guest artist. On the Daniel-Johnson Park side, a rap evening will take place on Friday, August 18, with Sheez, Fredz and Loud; on Saturday, August 19, Lisa LeBlanc and La Patente will be performing; and for the closing of the festival, it will be Bleu Jeans Bleu on Sunday, August 20.
The 40th edition of the International Balloon Festival of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu continues until August 20. On August 17, Les Cowboys Fringants took over, despite singer Karl Tremblay’s health problems; a hip-hop evening will be held on Friday August 18 with Jay Scott, followed by Koriass and the famous American rapper Rick Ross. On Saturday August 19, it will be the turn of Mathieu Dufour, Claudia Bouvette and Ne-Yo to take to the main stage; then on August 20, Roxane Bruneau will conclude this 40th edition. Of course, young and old can also admire the multicolored hot air balloons and enjoy the activities and inflatable games on site, all day long.
Underground Summers, Guylaine Tremblay’s first theatrical solo, is making a stopover in Quebec City, at the La Bordée theatre, from August 22 to September 2. It’s time to buy your tickets! In this play written to measure for her, Guylaine Trembay embodies a teacher struck by misfortune who calls into question her life choices and her vision of the world. Remember that the piece, first scheduled for spring 2020, was presented for the first time in spring 2021, at La Licorne, in Montreal. She will then be back at La Licorne until September 23.
If you are on the Gaspésie side, you can treat yourself to a cinema weekend by taking advantage of the Percé Les Percéides International Film and Art Festival, until August 20. This festival, dedicated to auteur cinema, is celebrating its fifteenth edition this year with more than 115 films from 25 countries on the program. This Sunday, the Franco-Portuguese film Malviver, by director Jão Canijo, will have its North American premiere in Percé. This family drama won the Silver Bear at the Berlinale in February.
From Friday to Sunday, the town of Morin-Heights will vibrate to the rhythm of folk music during the sixth edition of the SuperFolk festival. The organizers present it as a “unifying, fully bilingual and family event”, but they are careful not to reveal the musical program in advance to create a surprise. In the past, the festival has hosted, among others, The Franklin Electric, The Barr Brothers, Martha Wainwright, Bobby Bazini, Marie-Pierre Arthur and Jorane. Settled at the bottom of the mountain, the festival showcases local merchants and artisans and features an area for children.
The 15th AfroMonde festival is being held at the Old Port of Montreal until August 20. For four days, artists from here and abroad will parade on two stages, in addition to various activities for all ages, from the visual arts symposium to the carnival that will close the event. Guests include Jamaican singer Charly Black and Cameroonian musicians Salatiel and Libianca. Rap will be well represented, among others by Kino-Congolese Keblack and Frenchman Melun SenSey. Quebec MCs will also be part of the festivities, such as Raccoon, Naya Ali and Lost, who will be accompanied this Thursday evening by his group 5sang14 in addition to Loud, Shreez and Souldia. Several DJs and dancers will also liven up the evenings.