Drimonis: Montreal's festival season is what culture looks like without the politics
It's that time of year again when Montreal's spring and summer festivals are either announcing their lineups or already in full swing, and the city is humming with cultural activity in French, English and a few other languages too.
June in Montreal always finds me trying to fit into my schedule as many fun events, shows, concerts and culinary pop-ups as I possibly can, while still functioning responsibly as a working adult and getting my required seven hours of sleep.
The Fringe Festival, Les Premiers Vendredis, the Mural Festival, and Le Théâtre de Verdure at La Fontaine Park have already launched festival season, with tons of free or affordable outings spread out across Montreal.
The city's pedestrianized streets are back in full force, providing plenty of people-watching opportunities and car-free urban summer living.
Pro tip: Head to Verdun's Wellington St. on Fridays to take in Salsa Bachata & Ice Cream outside of Crèmes Boboule. Sexy Latin beats and ice-cream on a hot summer night? Don't mind if I do!
This weekend alone, Montrealers have a choice between the final weekend of Fringe (celebrating 35 years of laughter, crying, contemplation and, occasionally, utter chaos and confusion); the glitz and glamour of the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix; the Francos de Montréal; and the Festival sur le Canal.
Even if you're like me and don't quite get the appeal of race cars going around in circles, there's no denying our city comes alive this weekend, as tourists and locals alike take in the F1 happenings.
Just for Laughs and the International Jazz Festival are just around the corner, including free performances, while Film Noir au Canal is starting up again in July, if, like me, you enjoy femme fatales, private eyes and low-key lighting in your movies.
And if non-fiction's your thing, last week I watched a documentary about celebrated Quebec singer Pauline Julien as part of the National Film Board's series of free screenings of NFB documentaries at the Alanis Obomsawin Theatre in Quartier des Spectacles.
As a resident of the Sud-Ouest borough, I have a special place in my heart for the Festival sur le Canal (formerly the Montreal Folk Festival). Is there anything better than stretching out on a picnic blanket with your friends along the banks of the Lachine Canal listening to folk, bluegrass and roots artists?
The three-day fest is pet- and kid-friendly and has that perfect laid-back Sud-Ouest vibe I love so much. And once again, the operative word here is 'free.'
Over the years, the fest has introduced me to some great local acts — Canailles, Les sœurs Boulay, Calamine, and more. This weekend, I'm looking forward to listening to Caroline Savoie, Jérôme 50 and Geneviève Racette.
While the Legault government often appears to think the only way to promote francophone culture is by excessively legislating it, I've always fallen for Québécois music, films, theatre, literature and comedy in an organic way. Word of mouth. Someone saying, 'Hey, read this.' That funny TikTok comedian I stumble upon. Being in a crowd dancing to the pulsating beats of Senegalese-Quebecer Sarahmée (she's playing a free show on June 19 at the Francos!) and leaning into your friend to say, 'Damn, she's really good.'
Culture can be contagious — if you allow it to be.
Montreal in the summer has so much to seduce us with, but we have to be open to being tempted. Sure, there's always much to criticize. Like any urban centre, our metropolis has its share of challenges and problems. But I suspect that those who constantly complain aren't putting equal effort into actively soaking up the joy that's so easily found in our city this time of year.
You know that saying, 'If you're bored, you're boring?' If you're bored in Montreal in the summer, check your pulse.
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