LONGUEUIL'S
2008 INTERNATIONAL PERCUSSION FESTIVAL
report filed by Robert J. Lewis & Marcel
Dubois
Longueuil’s
annual International
Percussion Festival -- a music happening with
an emphasis on percussion -- is getting bigger and better every
year, in part, because more and more locals and tourists are
realizing that Montreal’s cultural and festival charms
aren’t restricted to the Island of Montreal. Cross
the legendary Jacques Cartier (the bridge with a 1001 views
including panoramas of the former Expo 67 Site and Gilles Villeneuve’s
Grand Prix track) and you’ll find yourself in the heart
of 400-year-old Old
Longueuil,
whose principal street, St. Charles, has been converted to a
5-block long pedestrian fare of canopied restaurants and bars,
music stages and makeshift boutiques that offer everything from
arts and crafts, local food specialties, clothing and musical
instruments.
Since
the Longueuil Percussion Festival starts up on the heels of
the world famous Montreal Jazz Festival, it’s only natural
to compare the two venues, where you’ll find plenty of
reasons to opt for the former. Towering above the music venues
of Montreal's
downtown festival are the city’s skyscrapers, which are
responsible for the concrete jungle/canyon effect: the pace
is faster, the crowds thicker, the commercial aspect much more
in evidence.
The
first thing you notice about Old Longueuil is that authentic
French Quebec has been preserved, especially the many turn-of-the-century
cottages that feature spacious verandahs and elegant mansard
roofs. No less interesting are the older commercial buildings,
several of which are crowned with mini battlement crenellations,
while others are enhanced with sleek, albeit understated, soffits
that speak to a different era and different set of architectural
values. Last but not least are the classic greystones that hearken
back to the 18th century. And
almost everywhere, but especially in Park St. Mark, you’ll
find yourself under the shade of sky-high trees where the living
is easy and family activities abound. Throughout the day on
everyday of the festival there are percussion and dance classes
for kids and adults, circus and clown performances, playgrounds
for rock climbing and crafts and surprise food giveaways. And
a key detail worth
noting: the entire festival is free, and that includes 10 major
concerts that begin in late afternoon and run to near ‘the
midnight hour.’
The
first two days of the festival paid tribute to the magnificent
music of Cuba (Salsa, Merengue). The beat and infectious counterpoint
rhythms provided by the group Asere guaranteed that hips and
haunches that had been shut down by six long months of winter
would not stay still: young and old were limb and lithe, reminding
one and all that there is no therapy like music for body and
soul. Earlier in the day, virtuoso guitarist
Robert Michaels and two dancers
put on a show that melded flamenco with energizing pop and rock
influences.
The
third and biggest day of the festival opened with Congolese
singer percussionist Jeff
Kavanda who introduced a variety of local instruments,
a violinist, and two incredible back up girls whose original
harmonies and wonderfully weighted vocal inflections perfectly
captured the mood of Africa and its dialogue with the rest of
the world. This
musical highlight was followed by guitarist Joby Elio and his
group Caribbean
Report. In a rousing set, they demonstrated the
easy compatibility between Jazz and Island music. The blowout
concert was aptly delivered by local rocker
Martin Deschamps whose raw rambunctious voice
filled the Longueuil sky with fireworks of a different kind.
His love and affection for the 5-block deep crowd was reciprocated
“a thousand kisses deep.”
For
day number four of the fest, despite the rain delay, there was
the annual parade, followed by a testosterone rumbling dance
and costume show that featured the thong-clad, buttock stopping
Carnaval
de Rio
gals whose exoticism and shimmying were especially appreciated
by the transfixed male contingent.
The
festival’s final act was reserved for the thunderous Japanese
percussion group Arashi Daiko, who besides closing down the
show were already reminding us that next year is only a drum
beat away.
Behind
every successful festival that has programmed scores of activities,
there is an organizational keystone that makes it all run smoothly.
Congratulations go to the ever-present, multi-tasking France
Cadieux and her highly competent team for a festival that unfolded
like clockwork. I can attest that in terms of organization this
festival compares favourably with the very best. And it takes
place only five Metro stops from downtown Montreal.
_______________________________
If
you have already decided that Old Longueuil is where you want
to spend more time, don’t forget the free summer concerts
that take place every Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Park
St. Mark.
2009
June 23, Fête Nationale (St-Jean-Baptiste Day) =
BRUNO
PELLETIER (FREE outdoor concert St. Charles Street,
City Hall)
And
don't forget the FREE 2009 August 6th
Hommage à Luc Plamondon
(Park Adoncour) at 7.30.
Photo
Credits: ©
MARCEL DUBOIS