Unconventional Gatherings Thrive in Quebec Amidst Financial Struggles
Enjoyable Cultural Activities for Your Weekend Enjoyment:
Music festivals in Quebec are now relying on their creativity and local support to survive. The Tadoussac Song Festival, a legendary event, had to resort to a first-ever crowdfunding campaign. Another festival, initially cancelled due to inadequate funding in April, was revived thanks to the efforts of Southwest elected officials. These events feature veterans like Ariane Moffatt and Grimskunk, as well as promising new talents, some of whom are performing for free. The Canal Festival, meanwhile, offers performers like Jérôme 50, Bolduc tout croche, and Caroline Savoie until Sunday, all for free, but with the encouragement of small donations from attendees.
Laughs Eastbound
Prepare for a quirky variety of humor with the Minifest, a diverse festival opening its ninth edition this Thursday across Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. Highlights for the first weekend include Catherine Éthier's Une belle randonnée on Friday and Le show mal amoché, a show featuring artists living with disabilities or illnesses who make witty jokes about their conditions. Free events, such as the Éclectique Électrique musical spectacle on Saturday afternoon and the Minifest's Big Outdoor Gala on Sunday afternoon, also promise laughter.
Domes Ascend
Experience immersive 360-degree projections as the Hubblo Dome returns to the Grand Théâtre de Québec, offering shows like the popular Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon and the trippy Have a Safe Trip. The dome at Société des arts technologiques (SAT) in Montreal presents the exploration of Quebec abstract painter Jacques Hurtubise, Hurtubise: Seize the Chaos, accompanied by the music of Hippie Hourrah.
Margie in Montreal and Quebec City
This weekend, rediscover or experience anew the works of renowned dancer Margie Gillis. The Théâtre de Verdure in Parc La Fontaine hosts the Margie Gillis Dance Foundation on Friday for the La littérature du corps show, a blend of dance and poetry. In Quebec City, the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec welcomes the Foundation on Sunday at 2 PM, offering a double bill that pays tribute to Niki de Saint Phalle's exhibition, featuring Gillis's new solo, Remembered Premonitions, and the ensemble piece Toutes ces choses qui fleurissent, inspired by James Joyce's work.
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These festivals struggle as creative sector events worldwide do during the COVID-19 pandemic, faced with repeated cancellations, delays, and capacity restrictions. Despite these financial hurdles, many events, such as large-scale Quebec festivals and the Toronto International Film Festival,, have secured government support to maintain operations, contribute to regional development, and draw tourists [4]. Smaller, community-based festivals survive through the support of volunteers, community sponsorships, and a strong sense of cultural identity [1].
The diverse Minifest festival, opening its ninth edition this Thursday, promises a quirky variety of humor, combining entertainment with a celebration of local culture in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. Meanwhile, the immersive 360-degree projections at the Hubblo Dome and Société des arts technologiques (SAT) offer a unique blend of art and technology, showcasing the works of Quebec artists such as Jacques Hurtubise.
