As crowded as Montreal’s festival scene may feel, Taverne Tour manages to stand out in a huge way. With shows in many classic Montreal venues as well as in Plateau-Mile End bars not usually known for hosting live music, the festival is a great way to discover music and stay warm during mid-February — or at least it usually is, since temperatures in Montreal have been unseasonably warm for most of this winter (my blood pressure is spiking from climate anxiety as I’m typing this).

Taverne Tour is nevertheless an excellent platform for emerging artists to play for curious show-hoppers, and the three-day 2024 edition was yet another feather in their cap. Here’s what I saw.

Safia Nolin

It’s been nearly a decade since Safia Nolin broke through with her debut album Limoilou, and I’ve felt like a bad Montrealer ever since for never having seen her live until Thursday. I was in for a treat, though, as she did a fantastic job bringing a sense of intimacy to Quai des Brumes — a venue which, though already small, was packed like sardines for her. Playing mostly acoustic guitar with an electric guitarist opposite her, Safia’s songs gave off a Neil Young-meets-Grouper type feel in this setting, skillfully combining emotion and raw storytelling.

Laurence-Anne

Some may recognize her through La Sécurité, but Laurence-Anne has always been a musical force in her own right. Thursday night at L’Esco playing synth-driven art-punk tunes with equal amounts of ethereality and ominousness, while sometimes sporting a cowboy hat. Given that finding a good place to stand (or breathe) with taller heads and bodies in front of you is high currency at L’Esco, I could barely see her from where I was standing. Regardless, her tunes ranged from hypnotic to psychedelic to eerie to everywhere in between — definitely a polar opposite vibe to Safia’s set two doors down.

Population II

My favourite performance of the entire festival this year came on Friday at La Tulipe thanks to this trio of experimental psychedelic rockers (with a hint of prog, blues, sludge metal and funk thrown in for good measure) opening for Jon Spencer. Singing drummer Pierre-Luc Gratton absolutely shreds behind the kit, taking on lead vocal duties while playing complex rhythms and double bass pedals. Add some wah-wah guitar effects, crunchy and menacing bass riffs, and a clever use of red and green lighting, and you get a delicious cross between Black Sabbath, Miles Davis, and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. Population II’s ability to push sonic boundaries and make your head spin in the best way possible was on full display, and lots of folks seemed hugely impressed.

SAMWOY

If you know SAMWOY’s backstory, the fact he’s even touring and playing shows at all is hugely admirable. The Montreal-via-Vancouver Island artist born Sam Woywitka got emotional while telling the crowd at Le Ministère on Friday about deciding to make music after waking up from a months-long coma following a car accident that killed his best friend, and you can hear that pain and passion in his music. His surfy garage rock tunes have a California skate punk feel to them at times, with spoken word screams and yelps adding emotional heft. They’re fun, raw and hard-hitting, and those songs drew in a packed crowd that night.

Sweeping Promises

Hailing from Lawrence, KS via Boston, indie rock duo Sweeping Promises took the stage at Sala Rossa on Friday immediately endearing themselves to the crowd, with frontwoman Lira Mondal greeting the audience en Français just before their first song. Using fairly straightforward garage rock instrumentation as a backdrop for Mondal’s dynamic vocal range, the Sub Pop signees delivered one of the more entertaining sets I saw this year — and one that wasted little time making Sala Rossa’s floor vibrate.

TEKE::TEKE

Friends of mine who also attended the show describe TEKE::TEKE as “Tarantino movie music,” and that’s honestly a pretty apt description. These Japanese/Quebecois psychedelic rockers play the kind of live shows that put you in a trance and take you right back to the ‘60s and ‘70s, and a teaspoon of ska and surf rock thrown in the mix. The seven-piece played to a packed house at Le Ministère on Friday, with songs that feel left-field and whimsical, yet sleek and rich and refined. A TEKE::TEKE live show is a wonderfully weird and kaleidoscopic audiovisual experience, and their Taverne Tour set was a strong example.

Booster Fawn

The artist born Joshua Seguin makes psychedelic folk-rock with a ‘90s lo-fi slacker edge, somewhere in between Alex G, Beck, Donovan, and Elliott Smith. His set at La Sotterenea on Saturday night opening for Night Lunch (actual headliner Daniel Romano pulled out) showcased his penchant for freaky, nostalgic tunes with strong melodies, and did so with a man down, as his guitarist couldn’t make the gig due to personal reasons. Just as memorable as the music, though, were the trippy, cartoonish claymation visuals — including one of a guy pissing all over a bathroom while lying on the floor. Lovely.

Night Lunch

With a Palestinian flag draped between their drum kit and one of their amps, Night Lunch took to the stage just after 11 p.m. with a spirited set, albeit one shorter than hoped for. One of Montreal’s most buzzed-about new local bands, the four-piece play music with ‘80s new wave as a core part of its identity (the Cure, David Bowie and Talking Heads are especially noticeable), with frontman Lukie Lovechild dressed to the nines in sunglasses and a suit and tie, with slicked-back platinum blonde hair and a voice that goes from slightly nasal in his higher register to crooning like he’s Elvis when it gets lower. Though they didn’t play “My Love Is a Rebel”, and their set didn’t feel quite long enough, it was still an example of Night Lunch showing their potential for even greater musical heights. ■

For more on Taverne Tour, please visit their website.

For more Montreal music coverage, please visit the Music section.

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It took only six minutes from the issuing of an Amber Alert for an eight-year-old girl from Repentigny to be found safe at a gas station in Kahnawake last Sunday, February 4. Her rescue came thanks to a security guard there, who spotted the vehicle matching the description in the alert in a parking lot. 

The Amber Alert was issued at 6:30 a.m. that morning, saying the eight-year-old was believed to be with her father. The security guard working at the Harnois gas station on Highway 132 called 911 just four minutes later, saying he saw what he believed to be the father and girl asleep in a parked car, said Kahnawake Peacekeepers’ spokesperson Kyle Zachary. 

Three separate Peacekeepers hit the road immediately after the call came from dispatch, he said, arriving there by 6:36 a.m.

“This is a testament to how efficient the Amber Alert system can be. It only took six minutes to locate this child from issuing the alert to the actual rescue,” Zachary said.  

“This one came at 6:30 in the morning, so I know it annoyed a lot of people and woke them up,” he said. “We’re thankful for the happy ending.”

The Amber Alert was issued from Repentigny, about 55 kilometres away from Kahnawake.

The 51-year-old man cooperated with the arrest, Zachary said. The major crimes unit for the provincial police also then arrived on scene, taking both the father and child in custody.

A manager who answered the phone at the gas station said their cashier also immediately noticed the car in the parking lot matched the description in the alert, also calling 911. The father and daughter had been in the parking lot several hours already before the alert was issued, said the manager, who didn’t want to share his name. 

He watched through seven hours of security footage that the gas station later shared with authorities, saying it showed them walking into a Tim Hortons and a convenience store before later returning to the car.  

The father appeared at the Joliette Courthouse via videoconference the same day of his arrest, where he was charged with abduction in contravention of a custody order.

[email protected]

This article was originally published in print on February 9 in issue 33.06 of The Eastern Door.

The smell of fry bread and wood fire wafted through the crisp evening air Wednesday evening as Kahnawake families took in the Winter Carnival’s first-ever night market.

“I think it’s awesome,” said Summer Lazare, community events coordinator at the Kahnawake Youth Center (KYC), which organizes the Winter Carnival each year. 

“You always hear about this being only in Montreal or other surrounding communities. I think this is a really good turnout and I think everybody’s enjoying it.”

The market took place beneath gleaming string lights between the Golden Age Club and the Town Rink, with vendors of all kinds setting up shop along the path to promote their crafts, treats, and other products. Propane heating and crackling fires – not to mention the Golden Age Club’s bathroom – provided respite as Kahnawa’kehró:non shopped and mingled.

“I wanted to come to support the community and all the other vendors, to see what was going on and what it was all about,” said Lacey Diabo, who attended with her husband and two children.

“It’s beautiful, I love it,” she said. “I was surprised when I turned around the corner and saw all the lights.”

Diabo noted she’s been to similar events across the Mercier Bridge, but never here in town. Her daughter bought a change purse and her son purchased a bag, while she picked up a spicy jam.

“There’s something for everyone,” she said.

Kahnawake Fire Brigade captain Karonhiio Curotte was on duty at the event, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t enjoy it.

“It’s pretty cool. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen anything like this,” he said. He especially liked the idea of the nearby pond hockey tournament, which unfolded at the same time at the Town Rink on the other side of the path, noting the chilly but bearable weather was just right for it.

Phoenix White was also drawn to the ice, but he was a fan of the night market as well. “It’s really good,” he said. It didn’t take him long to identify his personal favourite vendor: “Probably the candy store,” said the eight-year-old.

Diana Murphy made the trek from LaSalle to introduce Kahnawake to her freeze-dried candy business, Sweet Dee’s, which also offers imported sugary novelties.

“It was a first, and I thought it’d be interesting to see what it’s like. I like to go to new markets and just get my name out there also,” she said.

Kahnawa’kehró:non with a sweet tooth were also treated to desserts from the BeaverTails food truck, courtesy of KYC, which handed out vouchers to community members.

There were several local businesses on site as well, such as the 392 Pepper Company, which was showing off new spicy chips and a range of hot sauces.

“It’s just a perfect thing to do – get out, meet people, and talk to people you haven’t seen in a while,” said owner John Mayo.

Even though the enterprise’s hot sauces are offered at stores throughout town, Mayo still sees value in promoting the family business at events like these, not least because it gives people a chance to try before they buy.

This can be especially important for a hot sauce business, he said, because spice tolerance can be so subjective, making it hard to simply describe on a label how hot something is.

“It’s a community event, and we’re from the community, so it’s a perfect time to get out and show off what we’re offering,” he said.

He’s enjoyed local markets before, but this was the first one he’s participated in at night, especially a frosty one.

“It’s better than being in the sun and rain,” he said. “I mean, it’d be horrible, I guess, if it was a snow storm. But for the most part, I think it’s pretty cool. And no pun intended.”

[email protected]

This article was originally published in print on February 9 in issue 33.06 of The Eastern Door.

Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

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The post COMMENTARY: Will lack of respect for Quebec raise sovereignty hopes? appeared first on The Quebec Chronicle Telegraph.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Tuesday that lawyer Manuelle Oudar has been appointed to the Senate, filling a vacancy for Quebec.

Police made 351 arrests in connection with firearm events in 2023 and seized 775 guns — mostly handguns that made their way into the city by way of the United States. 

La Suite Canadienne, the latest documentary from the prolific filmmaker Oliver Godin, depicts the behind-the-scenes of a project by amateur dancer and saxophonist Adam Kinner. In 1958 on Radio-Canada’s l’heure du concert, a ballet called La Suite Canadienne by Ludmilla Chiriaeff was performed. The performance featured dancers dressed as Quebec peasants travelling across a colonial fantasy. The recent rediscovery of this footage inspired Kinner to reimagine the dance as a reflection on nationalism, colonialism and identity. 

In English and French, the documentary is composed largely of rehearsal sequences occasionally interrupted by archival footage and fleeting fantasy sequences. We watch bodies in motion, discuss costumes and identity, and even basketball. The filmmaker himself occasionally appears onscreen, holding sound equipment, briefly interjecting (often with a playful air, such as a sequence on a swing, as the subject and filmmaker/recordist engage in a kind of recording dance). The film becomes an extension of the performance, not merely a document of practice but a means of further inquiring into the fundamental questions the piece addresses. 

Despite the occasionally dark subject matter, the film (as well as the ballet) remains fundamentally upbeat in its approach. Rather than a portrait of art as a tortured experience, it remains fundamentally celebratory. We witness not only the joy of creation but the joy present in collaboration. The documentary showcases how the dancers work together and how the presence of filmmakers further transforms the interactions and thought-process of La Suite Canadienne. 

More than just the images and scenes, though, the documentary comes alive in montage. In the same way that Kinner’s project is collapsing time, bringing back to life a piece of history, Godin’s camera collapses linearity. Conversations unfold through different spaces and periods, seamlessly built onto each other. Is it merely a thoughtful association of themes and ideas, or something more planned out. The film effectively captures the realm of imagination where spontaneity and improvisation rule. It shows the importance of time within the process of creation, not only in the sense of effective distance from the initial 1957 performance but in the increasingly limited space to develop and work through artistic ideas in our current era that values efficiency and reduces artistic practice to “content creation.” 

The performance itself doesn’t guide the viewer to obvious, sentimental ideas about the nature of identity. The work is done in appreciation for the craft and imagination of Ludmilla Chiriaeff. The fluidity of the dance movements, removed from their original context though a utopian peasant fantasy initially intended for the Queen of England, comes to represent a vision of Quebec that is similarly utopian. It favours beauty and grace, but the transformed context and the layers of interpretation and themes offered by the dancers and filmmakers create a work that offers an all-together viewpoint where the nature of Quebec identity is not insular but one that seems to expound outward — the reflection on history positions the hope and innovation of the Quiet Revolution. 

Whereas the original performance of La suite Canadienne focused on the “purity” of the peasant, a pastoral and ultimately conservative fantasy, the new one focused on the liberation offered by the Quiet Revolution. How education and a new appreciation for art, high and low, became an opportunity for people’s worlds to be expanded. It showcases the freedom offered by expanding the imagination that could and should be at the heart of Quebec’s identity. The transformation of this choreography into something that reflects these ideals becomes an incredibly powerful vision for the world, where the past can be engaged thoughtfully and with compassion. 

As deceptively simple as La Suite Canadienne is on the surface, it captures a hopefulness within Quebec society that often feels forgotten – if not an outright relic of a past that never existed. The creation of this performance bridges linguistic, cultural and historical moments to create something new – one that looks forward. While the “behind-the-scenes” documentary is a genre within itself, rarely has it felt so thoughtful and collaborative as it does here. Even in his most humble projects, Godin offers an aspirational vision of Quebec. ■

La suite Canadienne is now playing in Montreal theatres.

For our latest in film and TV, please visit the Film & TV section.

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Canada's Leylah Fernandez is off to the round of 16 at the Qatar Open after a 0-6, 6-2, 6-3 win over Spain's Paula Badosa on Tuesday.

The STM has shared a series of photos of renamed metro stations to mark Valentine’s Day in Montreal. The love-themed station names include Namour, Acadit-Oui, Villa-Marriage, Chéri-UQAM, Lionel-Chou and of course Jolicoeur.

The STM has asked Montrealers which of the new Valentine’s Day metro station names is their favourite. Check them out in the slider below.

Last year, the STM had a similar social media initiative for Star Wars Day.

For more on the STM, please visit their website.

For more on Montreal life, please visit the Arts & Life section

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Montreal online travel agency FlightHub is a service that allows Canadians to make travel planning more simple and less stressful.

The company’s FLIP campaign highlights FlightHub initiatives aimed at offering a more practical and enjoyable approach to travel, in keeping with the company’s mandate to enhance the customer experience. Watch the FLIP campaign video below for a peek at what FlightHub has to offer.

FlightHub users can now benefit from a user-friendly FlightHub app as well as the recently relaunched My Trips platform, a customer portal designed to streamline the travel management process. This tool centralizes all the customer’s travel information in one convenient location, allowing for easy changes and cancellations with just a click.

“In introducing FLIP, we’ve honed in on the core of what makes travel a pleasure: simplicity. It’s about delivering a service that removes the friction from trip planning, ensuring that the only challenge our customers face is choosing their next adventure. We’re committed to providing a straightforward, enjoyable and dependable travel experience.”

—Henri Chelhot, CEO of FlightHub

For more on FlightHub, please visit the FlightHub website.

This article was produced in partnership with FlightHub.

For our latest in travel, please visit the Travel section.

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The West Island Black Community Association (WIBCA) is building a new centre to house all its members and programs under the same roof.

A program run by a Montreal-based charity is trying to help Canadians avoid homelessness — and the person behind it says the difference between having a home and being homeless is just about $11,000 per person.

By Daniel Kirchin

Local Journalism Initiative

Hooked on School Days, an annual initiative of the Réseau québécois pour la réussite éducative, has evolved into a crucial opportunity to enhance awareness and engagement while underscoring the significance of supporting youth in their academic pursuits. Against the backdrop of labour shortages and rising living costs, discussions on education retention and motivation have become more common.

Organizations such as Centraide Estrie and the Réseau québécois pour la réussite éducative, have used this week to not only reaffirm their commitment to supporting children’s educational needs, but also to address the pressing issues faced by families in Estrie.

Andrée Mayer-Périard, President of the Réseau québécois, emphasized the importance of encouraging young individuals to stay motivated in school on their academic journey. She noted, “It is crucial to relentlessly support the efforts of every student so that they have the opportunity to develop to their full potential, especially in a year marked by various challenges affecting their academic path.”

“The Hooked on School Days serves as a reminder that academic perseverance is a collective responsibility,” she explained. “Fostering the educational success of our youth is beneficial for everyone, forming the foundation for overall well-being and the ability to contribute meaningfully to society,” Mayer- Périard added.

The Réseau québécois pour la réussite éducative recently conducted a survey addressing the issues faced by families in the province, providing insights into Quebec residents’ opinions on educational success, motivation, and the role of support.

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L’article Hooked on School Days spotlight classroom challenges and solutions in Estrie est apparu en premier sur Sherbrooke Record.

Regulars of the Provisions Inc. grocery store on cartier street in Quebec City are disappointed to see their favourite store closed after 75 years in business. Quebec AM host Peter Tardif met with Yves Ledoux, a fellow business owner from right across the street, who hopes efforts to revive the store will succeed.

Two people were found unresponsive in a residence on Onulphe-Peltier Street in L'Épiphanie, Que., on Monday.

Aiva Furfaro says she wanted to learn more about the problem of pollution and share that with others.

The post QCT Online print edition – February 14, 2024 appeared first on The Quebec Chronicle Telegraph.

Ierahkwanónhnha Olivia Moon Meloche and Iehwatsirahnì:ra’ts Gilbert had never played hockey before they tried out for the U13 Rockettes du Suroît, but you wouldn’t know that as the duo celebrated with gold medals in Brockville, Ontario, last weekend. 

“It was very shocking, I couldn’t really process it all, but it was really exciting,” said Meloche. “It was nerve-wracking. When we kept winning I was like, ‘Okay, we’re going to move on, we’re getting closer and closer.’”

Meloche pushed through the nerves, skating to a 1-0 victory with her team against the Kemptville Storm as part of the Brockville Girls Hockey Association February Freeze tournament, which took place last Friday to Sunday. 

Meloche’s mother, Karahkwenhawe Sandi Goodleaf, said the final was tense after the team sailed through the competition with a series of wins and ties.

“We were screaming and blocking our eyes sometimes!” Goodleaf said. “You could tell both teams were really trying. All their effort and energy was going into this game. It could have gone either way, and there was so much energy on the ice and cheering from the crowd. But there was great defence on our team, and the goalie played amazing.”

Goodleaf said that a large number of friends and family made the trip to Ontario from Kahnawake to support the girls.

“The atmosphere itself was great. All the family, mothers, fathers, grandparents, siblings, everybody, it seemed like everybody who was on the team had at least four people cheering them on,” Goodleaf said. “We had a great experience, and the girls did so well.”

Gilbert and Meloche, the only players on the team from Kahnawake, had both decided to try out for the team at the beginning of last season, and Goodleaf said it’s been incredible to watch both girls rise to the challenge. 

“I couldn’t be more proud,” Goodleaf said. “Everyone starts at like age six, and this is her first year playing,” she said of her daughter. “She went from having a hard time stopping on her skates to playing forward and scoring. It’s amazing.”

Jessica Hernandez, Gilbert’s mother, has been equally impressed by the girls’ tenacity, and was proud to see the two celebrate their victory at February Freeze with their teammates – particularly considering the language barrier at play. 

“Our two girls are probably two of the only English-speaking girls on the team. There might be a few that understand, but it’s majority French-speaking,” Hernandez said. “It’s been a learning process this whole year for the two of them who are coming from (Mohawk) immersion school, but they wanted to learn how to play. They weren’t sure what to expect.”

Coaches have been accommodating of the girls, giving extra explanations during practices. But, as was made clear from this weekend’s victory, language hasn’t impeded their ability to be team players. 

“I know these girls, and I know they’re capable of anything, so it’s just been really nice to see them put themselves out there for something new,” Hernandez said. “It just makes me happy that they’ve been willing to do that, because it really means they’re willing to push themselves to do anything.”

Though Meloche said it’s been hard to fit in at times due to the language barrier, she is glad she made the decision to join the team, and was particularly happy that so many people came to cheer the team on. 

“It felt good to know that they were there, that they were watching my first time winning,” she said. 

The Rockettes will continue with regular season games before the girls’ first season on the ice wraps up in March. 

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This article was originally published in print on February 9 in issue 33.06 of The Eastern Door.

Join host Dionne Codrington on a new podcast as she goes searching for the DNA of a Changemaker by revisiting the personal stories and insights of four laureates from CBC's Black Changemakers project.