August will be an exciting month in Laval as Quebec’s third largest city marks its 50th anniversary.
On August 1, the Maison des arts de Laval (1395 Concord Boulevard West) will kick off a unique array of summer programming under the theme Suburbs vs. The World. The former is actually a visual arts exhibition where multiple artists will express their views on the suburbs while the latter will be composed of a series of world music concerts, offered for free on the terrasse of the Maison des arts. Many artists from around the world will be performing traditional music on every Thursday and Sunday in August. Opening night will feature Soleil d’Espagne - vies et poésies de Lorca (pictured above), with well known singer Richard Desjardins, vi violinist Alexandre Da Costa and guitar player Alexandre Éthier..
For The Suburbs programming, guest artists will include Gwenael Bélanger, Stephanie Beaulieu, Andrée-Anne Carrier, Stéphanie Chalut, Kim Dorland, Hillerbrand & Magsamen, Emmanuelle Jacques, Labspace studio, Lagrange Emmanuel Paquet, Eric Lamontagne, Pierre Laroche, Laurent Lévesque, Anna Jane McIntyre, OBV, Jacinthe Robillard and Michel Saulnier, Invited authors are Simon Boulerice, Sébastien Dulude, Stéphane Larue, Bertrand Laverdure, Stuart Ross, Hector Ruiz and Marie-Hélène Buckwheat.
As for the music, eight free concerts are scheduled in a 5 a 7 format for Thursdays and Sunday afternoons in the privacy of an urban garden. Popular Quebec actress and singer Geneviève Néron, will serve as emcee. Guest artists slated to appear are Bomata Paul Deslauriers and Khurshid Anwar, Kabakuwo Ismail Fencioglu and Fenci's Ensemble, Kumbia Gypsy Orchestra, and Habana Café and Willie Rios, In case of rain, concerts will be moved indoors.
Log on to www.sortiesculturelles2015.laval.cafor more information. The Maison des arts de Laval is accessible via the Montmorency Metro.