Les Concerts de la Cité, #Sherbylove edition
Les Concerts de la Cité, Sherbrooke’s annual summer concert series, is gearing up for its 31st edition. Ongoing from June 28 to August 4, the series offers visitors free access to over 50 artists of any musical genre they could want over six different outdoor stages. No matter who you are or what your tastes happen to be, there’s something for everyone au Concerts de la Cité.
“It’s super convivial,” said Annie Santarossa, who is the new co-ordinator of les Concerts de la Cité after 13 years of collaborating with artists for the event. “It lasts six weeks and there’s at least one or two shows a day.”
According to Santarossa, this year’s installment will focus on Sherbrooke’s own talented musicians with “Les Concerts midis”. Happening every Tuesday and Thursday, these concerts will be reserved only for local, emerging artists such as Auguste, Sharp Four, Orford sur la Route, Lili K.O., Caracol and more.
“The entire event is based on discovering new artists,” said Santarossa. “We want to showcase emerging talent, but they’re balanced out with classics, like Shawn Philips. I feel like he is going to attract an older crowd, which is exactly what we want. We want all generations to feel welcome and enjoy Les Concerts de la Cité. It brings people together.”
Jazz, pop, hip-hop, folk, country and world music are all on the menu for the festival, added Santarossa.
“There’s something for everyone. We have Shawn, who worked with Eric Clapton, the Lost Fingers, the Ringos, who cover classics from the Beatles, we even have an all-celtic group coming to perform,” she continued. “It’s very multicultural, to suit our city. Our next goal is to expand the festival. The people of Sherbrooke have adopted the event, but we want them to bring in even more people, like visiting friends and family.”
Invited artists also include Andrea Lindsay, who performs jazz; Songs of Mercy, a Leonard Cohen tribute band; Boogát, a Mexican-canadian artist; and Pierre Guitard, who won the Festival international de la chanson de Granby in 2017.
“The best part is when they clear the dance floor, then it truly becomes a dancing festival,” commented Santarossa. “Its super enjoyable, and perfect for the whole family!”
Les Concerts midis will all be held at the Place de la Cité stage, located in the courtyard behind the courthouse and the Éva Senécal library. Other show locations include the Carré-strathcona stage, located in front of town hall, which will be ideal to catch a meal and a show, considering its proximity to all the local terraces on Wellington.
In case of rain, outdoor shows will be relocated to either the Boquébière and Theatre Granada on Wellington street, or at Loubards, on rue Frontenac.