Montreal Cultural Calendar

Originally from Rouyn-Noranda, Zach Zoya grew up at the crossroads of South African rhythms and North American soul and pop sounds, shaping a rich and eclectic musical identity.
The first English-speaking artist signed to the French-language label 7ième Ciel Records, he quickly gained attention with his EP Spectrum, critically acclaimed and nominated for several awards, including the ADISQ. His EP No Love Is Ever Wasted (2022) has accumulated millions of streams and includes the radio hits Start Over and Upper Hand.
In 2023, he received multiple awards, including at the Gala Dynastie and from the SOCAN Foundation. His sound has since evolved toward a blend of R&B, melodic rap, and alternative pop, notably on his EP It’s Always Sunny in Glendale (2024), inspired by his life experience in California.
He is now working on Misstape 2, a new collaboration with Montreal producer High Klassified, following their first project Misstape (2018), which marked the beginning of his career.

Thursday, July 2
From 10 p.m.
On the Loto-Québec stage: Sofia Duhaime
Starting at 8 p.m.

Where to watch: buy a ticket to La Ronde to see the show from reserved seating, or watch for free from the Jacques-Cartier Bridge (closed to traffic during the show), below the bridge, or at Parc du Pied-du-Courant across the water. Bring a portable radio tuned to 105.7 FM to hear the official synchronized soundtrack. Shows last about 30 minutes; arrive early to claim a good spot.

Plongez dans un voyage immersif inspiré du désert du sud-ouest algérien, entre chants ancestraux, transe mystique et énergie chaleureuse. Ce spectacle revisite la musique Gnaoua à travers une vision mêlant tradition et modernité.

Diwane , qui signifie « version », exprime son approche personnelle d’une fusion entre les rythmes du Maghreb et du Sahel, enrichis de sonorités contemporaines. Une célébration vivante de la musique, de la danse et des cultures africaines, où se rencontrent héritages anciens et créations actuelles.
Musique, composition, interprétation et production : Abdel Grooz Guitare : Dave yjin Piano : Chacon Xavi Percussions : Pape Ndiaye Batterie : Donald Dogbo

Show Girls

Meilan Lam and Robert Paquin,
1998, 52 minutes
Show Girls
celebrates Montreal's swinging Black jazz scene from the 1920s to the 1960s, when the city was wide open. Three women who danced in the legendary Black clubs of the day - Rockhead's Paradise, The Terminal, Café St. Michel - share their unforgettable memories of life at the centre of one of the world's hottest jazz spots. From the Roaring Twenties, through the Second World War and on into the golden era of clubs in the fifties and sixities, Show Girls chronicles the lives of Bernice, Tina and Olga - mixing their memories with rarely seen footage of the era. Their stories are told against a backdrop of the fascinating social and political history that made Montreal a jazz and nightclub hotspot for decades. It is a story of song and dance, music and pride. 
English version only.
First part:
Oscar
Marie-Josée Saint-Pierre, 2016, 12 minutes
Mixing animated sequences and archival footage, Oscar is a touching portrait of virtuoso pianist Oscar Peterson at the twilight of an exceptional career, as he wistfully meditates on the price of fame and the impacts of the artist’s life on family life.
From the young prodigy’s beginnings in Little Burgundy to his triumphs on the international scene, this animated documentary by Marie-Josée Saint-Pierre explores the profound solitude of an artist constantly on tour. Set to the tunes of Peterson’s sometimes catchy, sometimes melancholy-tinged compositions, the film tells a heartfelt story about a life in jazz.

mending night at Parquette

https://www.instagram.com/p/DaQwxxwode8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Join the Argo Bookshop for the launch of Jo Walton's new book, Everybody's Perfect! The author will be reading, discussing her work with Gretchen McCulloch, and signing copies at the end. This event is free, but space is limited, so please RSVP.
https://www.ticketsource.com/argo-bookshop/t-yzeygkv

Masks are not required, but will be provided for free at the door.

Please contact the Argo Bookshop at least a day in advance for elevator access to the store.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DaD381GpJ3U/

Thursday, July 9
From 10 p.m.
On the Loto-Québec stage: Corinne Caza
Starting at 8 p.m.

Where to watch: buy a ticket to La Ronde to see the show from reserved seating, or watch for free from the Jacques-Cartier Bridge (closed to traffic during the show), below the bridge, or at Parc du Pied-du-Courant across the water. Bring a portable radio tuned to 105.7 FM to hear the official synchronized soundtrack. Shows last about 30 minutes; arrive early to claim a good spot.

Sunday, July 12
From 10 p.m.
On the Loto-Québec stage: La Bronze
Starting at 8 p.m.

Where to watch: buy a ticket to La Ronde to see the show from reserved seating, or watch for free from the Jacques-Cartier Bridge (closed to traffic during the show), below the bridge, or at Parc du Pied-du-Courant across the water. Bring a portable radio tuned to 105.7 FM to hear the official synchronized soundtrack. Shows last about 30 minutes; arrive early to claim a good spot.

Colombia – QC

Billets gratuits disponibles dès le mardi 30 juin, midi. Limite de 2 billets
Billetterie : https://lepointdevente.com/billets/eb6260614001?lang=fr

Pour célébrer la Fête Nationale française, le Festival Bastille vous invite à découvrir le plus récent album de Mélissa Laveaux, où pop indie et mystique se rencontrent pour raconter un voyage intime entre la vie et la mort.

Inspiré de mythologies, de souvenirs et d’une histoire personnelle marquée par la résilience, At my softest… explore émotions, vulnérabilité et puissance intérieure. Sur scène, sa voix habitées et et ses atmosphères envoûtantes donnent vie à un récit fascinant, entre ombre et lumière. Une expérience musicale intense, sensible et audacieuse, portée par une artiste aussi fragile que redoutablement puissante.
Mélissa Laveaux , chant et guitare
Elise Blanchard, basse
Martin Wangermée, batterie
Julien Cavard, guitare, claviers et flûte

Billets gratuits disponibles dès le mardi 30 juin, midi. Limite de 2 billets
Billetterie : https://lepointdevente.com/billets/eb6260714001?lang=fr

Pour célébrer la Fête Nationale française, le Festival Bastille vous invite à découvrir Miel de Montagne, un univers unique où électro et pop racontent une vie simple, drôle et touchante.

Entre insouciance et mélancolie, il transforme ses histoires d’amour, de campagne et de jeunesse en hymnes générationnels déjà cultes. Avec son nouvel album Ouin Ouin , il se dévoile plus que jamais, porté par une énergie sincère et un imaginaire singulier. Laissez-vous emporter par cet artiste libre, émouvant et profondément actuel, devenu incontournable de la scène indie.

Eagerly awaited by festivalgoers, this breathtaking favourite event never fails to arouse powerful emotions. This year, Afrique en Cirque will celebrate its 40th anniversary in a spectacular fashion with a thrilling, large-scale production specially conceived for the occasion. Steeped in memories of West Africa, the company’s dizzying and athletic acrobatics, which burst forth from all directions, is set to the powerful and joyful rhythms of djembe drums, themselves guided by the magical and generous kora playing of Yamoussa Bangoura, Kalabanté’s founder and artistic director, and multidisciplinary artist who has worked with Circus Baobab, Cirque Éloize, Cirque du Soleil and Cavalia. Dance, music, contemporary circus arts, theatre and costumes are fully integrated, forming a single, cohesive aesthetic that fills the stage as a unified whole. The scenes and feats flow seamlessly into one another, creating a language that serves to share and connect cultures.

West Africa – QC

Anna Recalde Miranda

Enquête impressionnante, ce voyage intime en Amérique latine élabore une généalogie du désastre écologique, à travers une contextualisation historique et politique inédite.

High-tension guitar riffs explode. The wall of massive, relentless percussions looms large. With a raw and totally urban vibe, this group of seasoned musicians reinterprets the cumbia inherited from their Afro-Indigenous forebearers, infusing it with a good dose of psychedelic rock. The drums, bass, guitar, congas, timbales, keyboards and other percussion instruments transform the spirit of the Andean folk dance into a multicultural trance that’s uniquely Montreal. Fiery, wild, and utterly irresistible!

Thursday, July 16
From 10 p.m.
On the Loto-Québec stage: Bourbon
Starting at 8 p.m.

Where to watch: buy a ticket to La Ronde to see the show from reserved seating, or watch for free from the Jacques-Cartier Bridge (closed to traffic during the show), below the bridge, or at Parc du Pied-du-Courant across the water. Bring a portable radio tuned to 105.7 FM to hear the official synchronized soundtrack. Shows last about 30 minutes; arrive early to claim a good spot.

“Kinshasa is bursting with stars, and Fulu Miziki Kolektiv is the wildest of them all,” (RFI, 2025). Fulu Miziki, literally “music from garbage” in Lingala, has made a splash by transporting the sounds of Kinshasa’s streets into an Afro-futuristic, techno-punk trance sound stamped with Congolese rumba and coupé-décalé that they call “twerkanda.” Once discarded objects are recycled into hand-made instruments, which the percussionists beat as if their life depended on it, releasing furious energy with urgency to take action to save the planet, amplified by their raw, powerful voices rising from the depths of their souls and through DIY cyber-costumes that reflect their commitment. Zero waste, 100% impact!

Angola – QC

Embarquez pour un voyage musical avec Boubé, la nouvelle sensation du monde musical touareg.

Son mélange fascinant de rythmes africains et de musique traditionnelle nomade captivera votre âme. Soyez témoin de sa présence charismatique et de son jeu de guitare fougueux ne laissant personne indifférent.
Vivez la magie de Boubé. Sentez le rythme du désert palpiter dans vos veines.
Boubé (Aboubabcar Mazawadje) : Voix et guitare
Vincent Duhaime Perreault : Voix et guitare
Dylan Kell-Kirkman : Voix et basse
Sylvain Plante : Voix et batterie

Since 2014, he has performed on several occasions at the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique, each time amazed by the receptiveness, appreciation and diversity of the festival’s audience, of whom he has become a crowd favorite. His presence to celebrate the 40th anniversary was only natural! In three decades, Admiral T has become the king of the Caribbean reggae-dancehall sound. That’s no exaggeration for an artist who’s able to fill the 20,000 seats at the Paris-Bercy Accor Arena. Influenced by sound systems and inspired by legends like Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, Admiral T blends gwoka, biguine, salsa, R&B, hip-hop and electro, all generously sprinkled with glitter and light. “A true pop cultural phenomenon … one of the rare superstars to emerge from the Creole-speaking community,” (La Presse, 2014).

“Boubé follows in the footsteps of several other Tuareg musicians who have emerged over the past 25 years, such as Tinariwen, Etran de l’Aïr, Imarhan, Bombino and Mdou Moctar,” (La Presse, 2025). The magnetic rhythms of his desert blues powerfully resonate with the sun-drenched spirit of Saharan nomads and the Tamasheq assouf; a repetitive, direct, and unpretentious groove, shaped by peace, travel and freedom, and carried by blazing guitars, hypnotic percussion and a deep, captivating voice. It’s like experiencing a gentle breeze shifting between soothing moments and the vibes of rock. Boubé’s latest album, Voyager (Disques Nuits d’Afrique, 2025), showcases the unique style of this charismatic guitarist and accomplished drummer.

Plongez dans l’effervescence musicale de la ville de Dakar avec, comme guide, le talentueux Zale Seck.

Dans une fusion envoûtante de tradition et d’innovation, les mélodies du musicien sénégalais portent l’essence de son patrimoine culturel, transcendant les frontières et captivant les publics du monde entier.
Zale Seck, musicien virtuose sénégalais, propose une musique qui transpire le bouillonnement musical de Dakar. Ancrée dans le patrimoine culturel sénégalais, la musique de Zale Seck transcende les frontières, mêlant rythmes traditionnels de son pays natal et influences contemporaines.
À chaque note, il tisse des histoires d’amour, de résilience et de l’expérience humaine, captivant les publics du monde entier.
Zale Seck, voix et percussion
Assane Seck, guitare
Axel Bonnaire, batterie
Benjamin Bonnaire, clavier
Pape Ndiaye, tama
Pierre Erizias, basse
Présentation de Vues d’Afrique.
Le spectacle est suivi à 21 h de la projection du film Timpi tampa

Colombia – QC

Those who were there are still talking about it. Among Nuits d’Afrique’s many highly memorable moments, Tiken Jah Fakoly’s closing concert of its 14th edition in the year 2000 is way up there, accompanied by Montreal musicians (they’re the best!). It marked the beginning of a mutual love affair with, as he put it, “the festival that serves as an ambassador for African culture,” (Radio-Canada, 2022). Each of his subsequent performances demonstrated the rapport between the artist and his Montreal audience. So, it is only natural for the international star to want to help celebrate the Festival’s 40th anniversary. With an astonishing stage presence, this fiery and influential reggae artist raises people’s awareness to counter illegitimate power and injustice, a self-driven mission. He advocates for unity and celebrates Africa’s diversity. Relentlessly. As if it were a mission he has set himself. The audience becomes hooked. Because he shakes things up, strikes a nerve. Because it’s true, heartfelt and resonates deeply. And because the irresistible brass, the sharp guitar riffs, and the well-balanced riddims make you desperately want to sing and dance. To express yourself.

Vidéos de femmes dans le parc (VFP) fait rayonner la production indépendante québécoise et canadienne depuis 1991.

Cette 35ᵉ édition est une célébration artistique incontournable, une ode à la brièveté de nos étés. La programmation mettra à l’honneur la diversité et l’inclusion.
Programmation détaillée à venir.

Queer Line Dancing! <br />
<br />
SPURS combines traditional steps with a range of music—from honky-tonk to new country to contemporary pop. Based in the history of LGBTQ+ country and western dancing, SPURS hosts regular events in Montreal and Toronto.<br />
<br />
Open to all, no experience required

Whether you're a first-time dancer or a seasoned pro, enjoy an evening of country music, fun, and dancing on one of the city's most iconic patios. Bring your friends, learn new moves, and make the most of your summer with one of the best free summer activities in Montreal!

Thursday, July 23
From 10 p.m.
On the Loto-Québec stage: Virginie B.
Starting at 8 p.m.

Where to watch: buy a ticket to La Ronde to see the show from reserved seating, or watch for free from the Jacques-Cartier Bridge (closed to traffic during the show), below the bridge, or at Parc du Pied-du-Courant across the water. Bring a portable radio tuned to 105.7 FM to hear the official synchronized soundtrack. Shows last about 30 minutes; arrive early to claim a good spot.

Free outdoor concert performance by "Weird Al" Yankovic as part of the Just For Laughs Montréal Festival

Sunday, July 26
From 10 p.m.
On the Loto-Québec stage: Léonie Gray
Starting at 8 p.m.

Where to watch: buy a ticket to La Ronde to see the show from reserved seating, or watch for free from the Jacques-Cartier Bridge (closed to traffic during the show), below the bridge, or at Parc du Pied-du-Courant across the water. Bring a portable radio tuned to 105.7 FM to hear the official synchronized soundtrack. Shows last about 30 minutes; arrive early to claim a good spot.

Thursday, July 30
From 10 p.m.
On the Loto-Québec stage: Velours Velours
Starting at 8 p.m.

Where to watch: buy a ticket to La Ronde to see the show from reserved seating, or watch for free from the Jacques-Cartier Bridge (closed to traffic during the show), below the bridge, or at Parc du Pied-du-Courant across the water. Bring a portable radio tuned to 105.7 FM to hear the official synchronized soundtrack. Shows last about 30 minutes; arrive early to claim a good spot.

Dans ce spectacle, le collectif montréalais simule une fausse émission de radio et improvise entièrement des chansons sur scène à partir des idées du public.

Le concept : vous suggérez les thèmes, les titres et les styles musicaux. L’animateur agit comme un maître de jeu : grâce à son humour caustique, il divertit, mène des entrevues avec les interprètes — qui incarnent des artistes fictifs — et donne les consignes des improvisations. Un chef d’orchestre guide les musiciennes et musiciens à l’aide d’un langage de signes qui indique les notes, les rythmes et les styles musicaux.
Chants : Christian Laporte et Sophie CaronGuitare : Sylvain Pohu
Basse électrique : Éric Bégin
Batterie : Jean-Sébastien Nicol
Claviers : Gaëtan Troutet
Claviers et trombone : Benoît Rocheleau
Animation : Patrick Guérard

Laissez-vous gagner par l’énergie vibrante de l’artiste originaire de Recife, au Brésil, qui fusionne les rythmes afro-brésiliens avec les sonorités soul-pop contemporaines.

L’auteure-compositrice-interprète et batteuse crée une musique qui touche le cœur et fait bouger les corps. Dans son spectacle, dont le titre signifie pulsation du corps, elle se connecte à l’énergie qui l’anime, à la poésie du mouvement et à la force qui circule en chaque être. La pulsation reflète le battement du cœur et le rythme qui nous maintient en mouvement.
Après un premier album Força do Gesto salué par la critique, n’attendez pas la sortie du deuxième pour l’écouter repousser les frontières artistiques et culturelles.
Batterie, guitare, voix et percussions brésiliennes : Lara Klaus Claviers, flûte et voix : Kat Pereira Guitare et voix : André Galamba Basse et voix : Rémi-Jean LeBlanc Percussions : Melissa Lavergne