Music, theatre, live art and local products: the Kaléidoskope event is in full swing at four locations in Quebec until December 31st.
The festival, currently taking place at several key locations in Old Quebec, aims to bring visibility to emerging Quebec artists of all backgrounds.
“The artistic and cultural world of Quebec is currently in flux,” says Mathieu Girard, founder of the Kaléidoskop festival. “There are not many opportunities for visitors to have free and immediate access to our cultural universe, so the festival is an extraordinary place of discovery.”
Multiculturalism put forward
Kaléidoscopes offers a great showcase for artists, particularly from Quebec's indigenous, Hispanic and African communities. They include Shauit, an Innu singer who won the Félix for Album of the Year in Indigenous Languages at the last ADISQ gala, and Los Trovadores, a mariachi troupe.
“These are doors open to other universes; “It’s part of the openness and diversity that we and our city want to offer,” says Mr. Girard happily.
The mayor of Quebec, Bruno Marchand, was also enthusiastic about the Kaléidoscope festival.
“I welcome the idea that young and old can discover the full richness of Quebec's heritage between Christmas and New Year,” he said in a press release.
Carte blanche in the theater
Graduates of Quebec's music and theater conservatories were given free rein to convert the huts of the German Christmas market in Old Quebec into theater stages. According to Girard, this is another aspect that is very specific to the capital.
“The creative aspect of the acting conservatory is unique to Quebec; it cannot be found in Montreal. That's why we wanted to do our part [les artistes finissants] can do,” he explains.
“The huts [du Marché allemand] This makes them intimate and grandiose windows into local creations.”
Three shows you shouldn't miss
Sandra Contour, December 29th
The folk singer with the melodies of the Boulay Sisters will be on stage at the Jardins de l'Hôtel-de-Ville from 4 p.m.
Shauit, December 29th
The singer from the North Coast community of Uashat Mak Mani-utenam will perform at Place D'Youville from 7:30 p.m.
La Déferlance, December 31st
This traditional music group from Quebec represents, according to Mathieu Girard, “an excellent option” to kick off the New Year's celebrations. The training will take place at 7:30 p.m. at Place D'Youville.