Events, Music and Nightlife
Major Events
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When you arrive on Madelinot soil, it's not just the time that is different from mainland Québec; the calendar can be a little unbalanced too… especially since all the events and festivals typical of the Îles-de-la-Madeleine are governed by the realities of a coastal environment.
Over the years, the coming of spring and the beginning of the fishing and boating season have become rituals that both Madelinots and visitors are impatient to see. It is the same for the arrival of the harp seal herd and the changing light in March that signals the first breath of spring.
Festivals have been created around activities that combine wind, boats, salt, sand and water. Ingenious competitions are run to the music of laughter, wonder and water.
Some festivals have traditional roots. The Mi-carême (mid-Lent) Festival has been largely forgotten in the outside world, but it is still alive and well in Fatima. It enlivens mid-winter with its costumes, jigs and high-jinks and helps people survive until a long-awaited summer! Traditions can also acquire a modern look in festivals that hark back to the way things once were…
The Islands also offer gourmet events, flavourful feasts prepared with the products of our land and the sea around it.
And Madelinot cultural life has its own special events. Festivals, symposia, artistic productions, shows and all kinds of activities are all part of the picture.
In June every year, Arrimage, the cultural corporation, publishes an annual calendar of cultural and musical events. (In French only)
Mise à l'eau des cages et arrivée du Homard Nouveau
May 5th, 2012 Launching of the boasts.Share a different way of life! At dawn on the first day of the season, 325 lobster fishermen all head out to sea at the same time. Come to Grande-Entrée, and participate in the following activities: the gathering of the fishermen, the fishermen's mass, fireworks, and the launching of the boats. On the following Monday, treat yourself to the Islands lobster! Package stays available.
Phone: 418-985-2833
Email:
Website: http://www.salicorne.ca
La Fête aux saveurs de la mer
Taste of the sea festival 12th editionJune 17th 2012 - Le bon goût frais des Îles de la Madeleine invites you under its "chapiteau" so you'll discover and taste the delicious products of its fishermen, seafood craftsmen and restaurant owners of the Islands. Tasting of the products on site and products of the madelinot terroir on sale here, culinary presentations, animation, prizes and music will satisfy every member of the family. Come celebrate the beginning of the summer season by discovering our sea products and their craftsmen!
Phone: 418-986-6650
Email:
Website: http://www.lebongoutfraisdesiles.com
Festival du homard
July 8 to 10, 2011. THE Lobster Festival! Fishermen, plant workers, locals and visitors celebrate the end of the lobster fishing season in the Lobster Capital of Québec. Come and taste this inestimable crustacean, participate in outdoor and interpretive activities and dance to the Madelinot beat.See you there!
Email:
Website: http://www.salicorne.ca
Symposium de peinture figurative de l'Étang-du-Nord
16th edition. Form July 23rd to 29th 2012 - Ten invited painters, from here and also from outside the region, will make us discover the sceneries of the Archipel with their artistic approach. Production on the site, painting workshops alongside invited painters, daily expositions, sales of the paintings and a closing varnishing-day. The great meeting of figurative pictural art in the madelinot surrounding!
Phone: 418-986-5085
Email:
Festival Acadien
From August 4th to 15th 2012 - Come celebrate the Acadian culture by participating in the festival's activities directly on the historical Site of la Grave! You will not want to miss the Small boats contest on August 4th, the tales and legends evening in the true acadian style and the torch-light night with its musicians and singers who will celebrate the Acadian national holiday on August 15th, signaling the end of the festival!
Phone: (418) 937-2525
Email:
Concours de construction de p'tits bateaux
August 4th 2012 - Come and discover your naval entrepreneurial skills during the Acadian Festival! Within a limit of under 200$'s worth of materials, the shipbuilders will dazzle the participants with their creative genius and all that in a three hour span, thus creating a floating device navigating with the wind or by oars!Fun and pleasure guaranteed all day long on the historic site of la Grave!
Phone: 418-937-2525
Email:
Châteaux de Sable des Îles
10 au 12 août 2012. On Havre-Aubert Beach (Sandy Hook), come and build a great sand castle. There are several categories in the contest, including one for the family. For information and registration call 418 986-6863. In case of bad weather, the contest will be postponed to the following day. Not available during that weekend? Take part in the sand castle-building workshops offered in the weeks beforethe contest.
Phone: (418) 986-6863
Fax: (418) 986-6865
Email:
Website: http://www.chateauxdesable.com
La Fête champêtre
22e edition - September 2nd 2012 - This is the big get-together celebrating the end of the summer season! Come and enjoy the frehness of their harvests, meet the craftsmen, underlining their work and efforts. It's the annual occasion for discovering the native madelinot "joie de vivre" and enjoying a beautiful day of bizarre and funny contests, including tons of activities for the family!
Phone: 418-986-6650
Email:
Website: http://www.lebongoutfraisdesiles.com
Festival international Contes en Îles
September 7th to 16th, 2012. Magdalen storytelling happening with shows, chatter, workshops and awards. Around 20 storytellers will get together for the 10th Edition of the Festival international Contes en Îles under the theme "La route des vents"!
Phone: (418) 986-5281
Fax: (418) 986-6484
Email:
Website: http://www.conteseniles.com
Fêtes de la mer et des marins
September 9 to 11, 2011. La Grave celebrates its nautical lifestyle at the Festival of Sailors and the Sea. Join us for three days of activities and celebrations on the Historical site at La Grave in Havre-Aubert. Welcome aboard!
Email:
Website: http://www.lagravesitehistorique.com
Festival de courts métrages "Images en Vues"
November 2nd and 3rd 2012 - A weekend of diversity and journey, an occasion to liven up the madelinot fall season by offeringthe archipel's movie fans four short film sessions of fiction, animation and short documentaries from here and abroad. It's also a great way to enjoy a family movie outing with the presentation of the "small flicks", which are short animated films for children...and their parents!
Phone: (418) 986-1366
Email:
Website: http://www.imagesenvues.com
Music and Musicians
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People in the Îles de la Madeleine are just naturally mad about music. Some Madelinots have made successful musical careers outside the Islands, but there are hundreds of others that you will never (or almost never) hear anywhere else. For most Islanders, a person is a musician, of course, but also a fisherman, a nurse, a veterinarian. Making music is as natural as breathing, and such talent should not be wasted.
Most families own at least one instrument, and many living rooms are home to a piano, several guitars and of course, a violin. The violin is the most common instrument to be found in Acadian families. Father Anselme Chiasson remarked, in his book entitled "Les Îles de la Madeleine, vie matérielle et sociale " (Living standards and social life of the Madelinots) that: "The history of musical instruments in the Islands is generally the same as elsewhere in Acadie. There might possibly be a greater love of music here, with a proportionally greater number of popular artists".
You can see and hear these musicians - they perform in all the cultural events programs and, if you are lucky, you might even meet some of them by a campfire!
Come enjoy the shows, concerts, festivals, evenings of poetry and amateur evenings. Performances of all kinds are scheduled throughout the year. All over the archipelago, producers have been working for many years to perfect their shows and present only the best. In June every year, Arrimage, the cultural corporation, publishes an annual calendar of cultural and musical events (French).
Performing Arts and Theatres
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Theatres and entertainment facilities on the Islands tend to have a very homey, intimate atmosphere. This could be a direct legacy of the kitchen parties that Island people held in their homes, where space was at a premium and everyone knew the words to the songs.
Today the culture of the Madelinots is still expressed in fairly modest quarters. The theatre could be a small wooden structure, the show might take place in a venue that in other times led a completely different life… maritime or not. Don't be fooled, the performances you will see are first rate, and you will enjoy the warmth and friendliness of a typical Island party.
The audiences at these musical and theatrical productions are mostly Madelinots. In summer, visitors dot the crowd. The program is packed with excellent shows and there is something for everyone, including presentations by local, national and international artists, professionals as well as newcomers.
There's a little of everything. The producers' first priority is to meet the Madelinots' expectations and provide exciting entertainment for visitors who wish to learn more about the Islanders and a local cultural life that vibrates to the rhythms of the sea. Whether you opt for an extravagant historical spectacle or a typical evening soirée, you will be learning about different facets of the cultural life of the Îles de la Madeleine: their tales, their legends, their stories, their music and their songs.
Au Vieux Treuil /diffuseur régional en arts de la scène
The 105 seat music-hall-by-the-sea, Au Vieux Treuil, the cosiest of summer concert halls, has been presenting local, national and international shows for over 30 years. The theatre is located on the Historical site at La Grave in Havre-Aubert, and the friendly team of professionals who manage it also host a multitude of performers in venues across the Magdalen Islands. Office schedule: Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. For tickets: every day from 2:30 pm to 8 pm.
Phone: (418) 937-5138
Fax: (418) 937-5138
Email:
Website: http://www.auvieuxtreuil.ca
Docteur Doutremer - Théâtre d'intervention
Humorous monologue with a shape-shifter who is sometimes the doctor, sometimes the client. This intimate, face-to-face encounter between the two characters is both comical and moving.One wonders which of these imperfect beings is giving help and which is getting it.The clumsiness of Docteur Doutremer (Doctor Foreigner), recently arrived on the Îles de la Madeleine, changes people's lives.You'll enjoy it in spite of yourself! Schedule : June to September. Reservation: 418-937-7090
Phone: 418-937-7090
Email:
Website: http://www.tourismeilesdelamadeleine.com/docteurdoutremer
Site de la côte - Corporation de dév. portuaire de l'Anse de l'Etang-du-Nord
Site de La Côte is a public park and a meeting place for both Madelinots and visitors. Enjoy: La Boîte à chansons: entertainment featuring local and off-island performers; Outdoor Stage: free shows, from Sunday to Thursday; Arts en fête: workshops exploring artistic techniques; Figurative Painting Symposium: from July 23 to 29, 2012; Le Café la Côte: a cosy café. A variety of interesting boutiques featuring locally grown products and fine art works by local artists.
Phone: (418) 986-5085
Fax: (418) 986-6230
Email:
Nicolas Landry, Conteur d'histoires
In the accents of his younger days, this young Madelinot storyteller he takes us on a tour of a society poised precariously between the traditional and modern worlds.He illustrates the importance of traditions and the uniqueness of his people.His stories, profound and sensitively rendered, bring to life the legends of Island life.
Email:
Website: http://www.tourismeilesdelamadeleine.com/nicolaslandry
VAGUE DE CIRQUE
A cabaret-circus featuring high-flying acrobatics and side-splitting humour! 8 internationally-renowned artists come together for the summer, just for the joy of it, sharing their world, their flights of fancy and their acrobatic feats in a delightful ?little big top? on the ocean shore. 75 minutes of pure pleasure and wonder! Tickets and information:418 969-2444.
Phone: 418-969-2444
Email:
Website: http://www.vaguedecirque.com
Théâtre " Mes îles, Mon Pays" (A.C.H.A.)
This year, with a cast of approximately 30 Madelinots, the Association culturelle de Havre-Aubert again presents its theatrical production depicting the history of the Islands. Simultaneous translation (earphones) is available for English-speaking visitors. Show time: 8:30 pm (duration: 2 hrs). Up to 5 shows per week. Reservations recommended. Permanent exhibit of paintings, sculptures and antiques. Office schedule: from June to September, daily from 9 am to 7 pm.
Phone: (418) 937-2588
Fax: (418) 937-9104
Email:
Website: http://www.mesilesmonpays.com
Chez Tante Emma
Les Belles veillées chez Tante Emma (Evenings at home with Tante Emma - featuring Odette Leblanc as Tante Emma). A soirée packed with humour and song. Spend a few hours at Tante Emma's place and get to know the most lovable character on the Iles de la Madeleine. With whimsical songs and hilarious stories, Tante Emma's warmth and exuberance sweep us along on a wave of emotions.Get a glimpse into the ordinary life of this incomparable personage who guides us over her beloved Islands and shares her affection for those who are part of her life.What a great evening! Schedule: from June to September 2012Saison estivale 2012Polyvalente des Îles30, Ch. De la MartiniqueL'Étang-du-NordG4T 3R7Billetterie : 418 986-3111
Phone: 418-986-3111
Email:
Website: http://www.tanteemma.ca
Galerie-Bar-Spectacles Les Pas Perdus
Les Pas Perdus has built on the influence of performing arts and created a place that marries cultures, where upcoming artists from Québec and the Islands can showcase their talent. Les Pas Perdus offers a high-level professional auditorium to artists while keeping the contact, warmth and intimacy worthy of the Islands. Visit our web site for the program.
Phone: 418-986-5151
Email:
Nightlife
Vent du large, Bleu Mer
This stop at La Grave is not to be missed! Our menu offers gourmet tapas featuring the local flavours of the Islands, fish and chips, a variety of beers, wonderful sunsets and unrestricted views of this historic site? everything you need to have a good time with your friends ? local or visitors ? in a seashore atmosphere! Schedule: daily from 11 am.
Phone: (418) 937-1190
Fax: (418) 937-1190
Email:
Website: http://www.ventdularge.ca
Bar Le Central
Bar and terrace where you can relax and rest your feet while sipping an expresso or enjoying a draft or imported beer with a light meal. A favourite meeting spot for Islanders and vacationers. Located in the heart of Cap-aux-Meules village, since 1986. Summer schedule (mid-June to mid-September): daily from 11 am. Off season (mid-September to mid-June): daily from 3 pm.
Phone: (418) 986-3212
Dooly's Bar et Billard
Lounge, friendly atmosphere, five computerized billiard tables, video lotteries, sports events. Access to Internet. Schedule: from May to September, daily at 12 pm except Monday at 6 pm.
Phone: (418) 986-2871
Fax: (418) 986-3771
Email:
Website: http://www.tourismeilesdelamadeleine.com/doolys
Galerie-Bar-Spectacles Les Pas Perdus
Les Pas Perdus has built on the influence of performing arts and created a place that marries cultures, where upcoming artists from Québec and the Islands can showcase their talent. Les Pas Perdus offers a high-level professional auditorium to artists while keeping the contact, warmth and intimacy worthy of the Islands. Visit our web site for the program.
Phone: 418-986-5151
Email:
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