Montréal, June 19, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ – The Society for the Celebration of Montréal’s 375th Anniversary proudly launched its special Sessions 375 program today, 4 amazing experiences created to help celebrate all that is Montréal. At the invitation of the 375th, 4 major renowned organizations, Montréal International Jazz Festival, the Osheaga Music and Arts Festival, ÎleSoniq, and POP Montréal have each created a free day of artistic and participative activities sporting the Society’s signature and colours.
“Sessions 375 is out to bring the musical sound of our city to life. Montréal is a city on the move, vibrant, alive, and energized. A city that celebrates the integration of different musical styles and art forms. A place where artistic freedom is dominant, something that comes out loud and clear in Sessions 375. Montréal is continually reinventing itself and that’s part of what makes this city so fantastic! In this historic year of celebration, our goal is to offer unique experiences where diversity and artistic individuality are centre stage,” said Alain Gignac, executive director of the Society for the Celebration of Montréal’s 375th Anniversary.
Sessions 375 spokesperson, host and music lover Nicolas Ouellet, can’t say enough about the exciting new concept. “Sessions 375 speaks to audiences of all ages, old and young alike,” he says. “You’ll be able to discover artists from a number of different fields, some very well-known and some more underground, a great way to really feel the wide range of the best sensations Montréal has to offer!”
According to Mayor Denis Coderre, Montréal is a cultural capital recognized around the world for the diversity of its talents, the richness of its offer, and its exceptional creativity. “The 375th anniversary of the founding of Montréal is a great opportunity to take advantage of the city’s endlessly dazzling, dynamic energy, through our internationally acclaimed festivals and in so many other ways, around the city, in every neighborhood, and every day,” he said. “Bravo and Vive Montréal!”
“The summer festival season abounds with artists invited from here and elsewhere to perform on the Montréal stage. With Sessions 375, music and art lovers will benefit from an experience rich in discoveries, from flagship events that will contribute even more international renown to Montréal in cultural terms,” said Quebec minister of municipal affairs, land occupancy, and public security Martin Coiteux, who’s also the minister responsible for the Montréal region.
Wednesday, June 28 – Sessions 375 x Montréal International Jazz Festival
Place des Festivals // Poster illustrator: Pony
This Sessions 375 experience will give you a taste of what’s to come at the Montréal International Jazz Festival with a stellar selection of Montréal artists already making names for themselves on the world stage. Names like The Franklin Electric, and Plants and Animals in an open-air show, plus a night filled with the sounds of Kannibalen Records, Black Tiger Sex Machine, Apashe, and Karluv Klub at the Métropolis. All of it absolutely free. The full program for this extraordinary day will be released on June 22. Stay tuned.
” We have assembled the largest possible line-up of Montreal artists who shine internationally. And we chose an exceptional day to offer all this to the public. This is what we call celebrating Montreal! ” – Laurent Saulnier, Vice President, Programming, Montreal International Jazz Festival
Saturday, July 22 – Sessions 375 x Osheaga Block Party
Van Horne Overpass // Poster illustrator: Ricardo Cavolo
For this totally unprecedented event, Osheaga is taking the city by storm with a free multidisciplinary Sessions 375 experience based on the traditional hip-hop block parties that were all the rage in New York neighbourhoods in the 1970s and 1980s.
“Osheaga is proud to celebrate our great city’s 375th with the return of the biggest street party ever in Montréal,” says Evenko vice-president of concerts and events Nick Farkas. “All Montréaler are invited to join in the fun at the Osheaga Block Party and celebrate the festival’s world of art and music right in the heart of the city!”
Thursday, August 10 – Sessions 375 x ÎleSoniq in the City
Peel Basin // Poster illustrator: XRAY
The ÎleSoniq in the City Sessions 375 experience includes two giant dance floors and performance art on the banks of the Lachine Canal. Just add friends to this mesmerizing mix of colours, lights, and music and the first ever ÎleSoniq in the City event just can’t miss!
“ÎleSoniq has quickly won the hearts of electronic music fans across Quebec,” says Evenko senior promoter Evelyne Côté. “We’re really proud to be able recreate the colourful and uplifting world of ÎleSoniq at a free event everyone can attend on the Thursday before the 4th edition of the festival officially gets underway.”
Saturday, September 16 – Sessions 375 x POP Montréal
Rialto Theater Complex and former School of Fine Arts // Poster illustrator: MissMe
Whether at the open-air disc fair, at the Sessions 375 BBQ with, among others, Lunice, or with all the family at La Grande Tour Kids POP, you’re sure to discover this unique version of Montréal.
” POP Montreal is very happy to be a part of Sessions 375. It’s an honour to celebrate Montreal’s big party with a great group of festivals. Our programming is as interesting, diverse and exciting as Montreal’s people and we hope everyone comes out to discover the amazing music and art we are presenting for FREE at the Rialto Theatre complex and the area surrounding the old École des Beaux Arts! ” – Dan Seligman, co-founder, POP Montréal
About the Society for the Celebration of Montréal’s 375th Anniversary
The Society for the Celebration of Montreal’s 375th Anniversary is a non-profit organization whose mission is to organize the celebrations and socioeconomic contributions that will highlight Montreal’s 375th anniversary in 2017. With a focus on promoting Montreal expertise, it acts as a catalyst for local forces to carry out its mandate: mobilize the community, implement a funding strategy, rigorously manage funding, develop quality programming and ensure the visibility of the celebrations. The Society benefits from the support of the Ville de Montréal, the Government of Canada, the Government of Québec and private funding from 12 Great Montrealers. For more information: 375mtl.com
You can get all of the latest news on Montreal’s 375th anniversary celebrations on Twitter and Facebook. And to learn more about the Government of Québec’s contribution to Montréal’s 375th anniversary, click here.
