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The stage is set to welcome world music to Montreal in 2016. Fans who enjoy a great mix of musical styles won’t want to miss the excitement this fall. Here’s a sneak preview of the main events.
World Music at the Festival Market – 100% World Music!
More than 30 artists from Colombia, Estonia, Madagascar, Algeria, Brazil, Israel, Mali, and Sweden will come together to host Mundial Montreal’s sixth anniversary. This high-level networking event for professionals in the world music industry is the only North American festival market that’s fully dedicated to world music. November 17 to 20 (activities in various locations). www.mundialmontreal.com
Celebrating Musical Diversity
World music is in the spotlight during the 2016 Journées de la culture taking place across Quebec from September 30 to October 2. Key events include African Guitar Spirit, winner of the 2015 Diversity Award, playing at the Dollard-des-Ormeaux public library; the Brico-Musique windharp-maracas workshop at the Maison des Jeunesses Musicales Canada; a show-and-tell performance of the world’s weirdest instruments at the Stewart Museum; and an exploration of African musical instruments, song, and dance at the Bibliothèque Marie-Uguay (for children aged 7 to 12). Check out a traditional mantra song celebration by Kundalini Yoga at La Place Commune, as well as a performance by the Montreal Intercultural Choir at Christ Church Cathedral. Don’t miss shows and musical tributes to the cultures of Haiti, Armenia, Morocco, and Brazil. www.journeesdelaculture.qc.ca
La Yegros, Photo: Nora Lezano
Nu Cumbia
Mariana Yegros, also known as La Yegros, returns to Montreal for a double concert organized by Les Nuits d’Afrique in collaboration with Mundial Montreal. Mexico’s Las Cafeteras, a group specializing in Latin-American alternative music, will also take part in this performance. Dubbed “the Argentinian queen of nu cumbia,” Mariana will revisit South American folklore – from cumbia to chamamé – in her own way, mixing Argentinian folk with tropical rhythms, reggae, dance hall, soul, Arabic music, electronic music, pop, and hip hop. November 18, Le National.
Noche Flamenca and African Blues
Noche Flamenca, Photo: Zarmik Moqtaderi
Les Nuits d’Afrique has announced that legendary dancer Soledad Barrio will come to Montreal with the Noche Flamenca troupe. Be prepared for amazing evenings where music, song, and dance are interwoven – all in a flamenco style. November 25, 26, and 27 at the Gesù.
Look out for African bluesman Boubacar Traoré this December: he’ll be touring Mbalimaou, his new album inspired by Kassonke melodies from Mali. December 4, Club Balattou. www.festivalnuitsdafrique.com/en
Boubacar Traoré, Photo: Sébastien Rieussec
Don’t miss the 17th Festival du Monde arabe, another intercultural event taking place this fall (October 28 to November 13). The festival’s programming, which celebrates Montreal’s diversity, will highlight music, particularly the artistic dialogue between East and West.
The festival’s programming was not yet available at the time of publication; look for it at www.festivalarabe.com/?lang=en
Translation: Dwain Richardson
This page is also available in / Cette page est également disponible en:
Francais (French)
