Latest news with #FestivalsurleCanal
Montreal Gazette
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Montreal Gazette
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.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Montreal's Festival sur le Canal cancelled this year after 17 editions showcasing local talent
For the first time in 17 years, the show won't go on for Montreal's Festival sur le Canal, with organizers citing financial headwinds as the motive for this year's cancellation. Typically held in mid-June along the banks of the Lachine Canal in the Sud-Ouest borough, the summer concerts take place rain or shine. Admission is free, with festivalgoers encouraged to pay what they can. But this year, the financial strain is forcing organizers to cancel the shows. Carl Comeau, co-founder of the festival, said his team is working hard to solve the issue. They released a statement on their website and social media Friday to share the news. "It was a tough announcement for us," he said. "We've created something really nice that the community wants, that the community's going to lose now." Comeau says production costs have surged by about 40 per cent since coming out of the pandemic, adding that public and private funding has been difficult to secure in some cases. These production costs include sound equipment, fencing and security. He said the "biggest" issue is the amount of paperwork required to apply for funding. "It is mind-blowing for somebody that has a full-time job, that has to find financing for my festival every year," he said. But despite these financial challenges, he refuses to cut artist fees to balance the budget. "Our festival has always been proud of showcasing up-and-coming artists," he said. "In most cases, this is their big show of the summer and to have to negotiate them down because our budget can't afford to book them is just not right." Many venues and festivals across the city have been grappling with similar financial struggles. Festivalgoers, seen here along the Lachine Canal in 2017, celebrate the start of summer every year at the Festival sur le Canal. (Molly Kohli/CBC) Comeau emphasized that, ultimately, he and his team want the majority of funding to go toward artists, artisans and the overall experience. The festival has long served as a platform for local talent, giving artists an opportunity to share their music with Montrealers and others. Samuel Sabourin, singer and tenor banjo player in the Quebec band Le Diable à Cinq, says he was saddened by the cancellation of this year's edition. "For local artists, those festivals are so important in our development. It's so accessible... and fun festival to play," said Sabourin. Having performed at the festival last year, the artist noted that the event allowed people to discover new artists for free, making it more accessible. "Lots of family, lots of people alone, just taking a rest there, listening to music. For us, it was a really nice venue," said Sabourin. Comeau says he and his team are working hard to figure the situation out and remain hopeful that a few supportive phone calls will come through. In the meantime, he says people should support local artists. "We shouldn't support local just because there's a crisis," said Comeau, referencing the current tensions between Canada and the U.S. "Let's look in our neighbourhoods, let's support our local communities."
CBC
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Montreal's Festival sur le Canal cancelled this year after 17 editions showcasing local talent
For the first time in 17 years, the show won't go on for Montreal's Festival sur le Canal, with organizers citing financial headwinds as the motive for this year's cancellation. Typically held in mid-June along the banks of the Lachine Canal in the Sud-Ouest borough, the summer concerts take place rain or shine. Admission is free, with festivalgoers encouraged to pay what they can. But this year, the financial strain is forcing organizers to cancel the shows. Carl Comeau, co-founder of the festival, said his team is working hard to solve the issue. They released a statement on their website and social media Friday to share the news. "It was a tough announcement for us," he said. "We've created something really nice that the community wants, that the community's going to lose now." Comeau says production costs have surged by about 40 per cent since coming out of the pandemic, adding that public and private funding has been difficult to secure in some cases. These production costs include sound equipment, fencing and security. He said the "biggest" issue is the amount of paperwork required to apply for funding. "It is mind-blowing for somebody that has a full-time job, that has to find financing for my festival every year," he said. But despite these financial challenges, he refuses to cut artist fees to balance the budget. "Our festival has always been proud of showcasing up-and-coming artists," he said. "In most cases, this is their big show of the summer and to have to negotiate them down because our budget can't afford to book them is just not right." Many venues and festivals across the city have been grappling with similar financial struggles. Comeau emphasized that, ultimately, he and his team want the majority of funding to go toward artists, artisans and the overall experience. The festival has long served as a platform for local talent, giving artists an opportunity to share their music with Montrealers and others. Samuel Sabourin, singer and tenor banjo player in the Quebec band Le Diable à Cinq, says he was saddened by the cancellation of this year's edition. "For local artists, those festivals are so important in our development. It's so accessible... and fun festival to play," said Sabourin. Having performed at the festival last year, the artist noted that the event allowed people to discover new artists for free, making it more accessible. "Lots of family, lots of people alone, just taking a rest there, listening to music. For us, it was a really nice venue," said Sabourin. Comeau says he and his team are working hard to figure the situation out and remain hopeful that a few supportive phone calls will come through. In the meantime, he says people should support local artists. "We shouldn't support local just because there's a crisis," said Comeau, referencing the current tensions between Canada and the U.S. "Let's look in our neighbourhoods, let's support our local communities." WATCH | Why are many Canadian arts festivals struggling to keep afloat: Canadian arts festivals pushed to the brink by inflation, stalled funding 1 year ago Duration 2:03 Numerous Canadian arts festivals are struggling to stay afloat with some having to cancel or pause events this year. Organizers point to post-pandemic inflation as a major cause, combined with government funding that isn't keeping pace with rising costs.
