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NUITS D'AFRIQUE: 14 SUNNY CONCERTS TO TRAVEL ALL AROUND THE WORLD

July 17, 2018

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If you’re itching to travel but can’t get away, come to the Quartier des Spectacles! No passport or plane ticket required: the 32nd annual Festival International Nuits d’Afrique, which wraps up on July 22, takes you to a new country every night. Here’s a look at the free concerts the festival is presenting.

WONDER WOMEN

Flavia Coelho

July 18, 9:30 p.m.
Le Parterre

Franco-Brazilian singer Flavia Coelho certainly looks distinctive, but more importantly her unforgettable voice is nothing short of spectacular. She was discovered thanks to her original performances in the bars and metro stations of Paris, and now she’s bringing sunshine wherever she goes, with her energetic blend of forro, ragga, ska and reggae.


Catherine Pépin - DJ Set ICI musique

July 20 and 21, 9 p.m.
Le Parterre

Catherine Pépin hosts Voilà l’été every summer weekend on ICI Musique, while the rest of the year you can hear her on Un nomade dans l’oreille. She’s also a DJ, and she loves a danceable beat. You’re invited to groove with her and her special guests at these special DJ sets.

Artiz

July 22, 6:30 p.m.
Le Parterre

Artiz is a group of eight women – three singers and five instrumentalists (guitar, drums, bass, keyboards and percussion) – who share a deep passion for world music. One of Haiti’s few all-woman bands, Artiz offers something for every taste: compa, reggae, dancehall and a little traditional music.

SPOTLIGHT ON REGGAE

Bobo

July 19, 5 p.m.
Le Parterre

Multi-talented Bobo, who hails from Côte d’Ivoire, is a choreographer, dancer and singer whose contemporary African reggae has won him fans worldwide. He sings in four languages, sharing his West African traditions. A consummate showman whose energy is absolutely infectious.

NORTH AFRICAN DELIGHTS

Gabacho Maroc

July 19, 8 p.m.
Le Parterre

The latest album by Gabacho Maroc is titled Tawassol (connection), a perfect title for this band of eight joyful players who bring together Western, African and Asian musical cultures. Their shows are always a party, with traditional Moroccan instruments, African drums, saxophone, bass and drums providing lively accompaniment to Hamid Moumen’s voice and guembri.


Abdel Kadiri

July 20, 6:30 p.m.
Le Parterre

House music and Arabic sounds: an unlikely but successful pairing! Moroccan musician Abdel Kadiri makes it work with irresistible sounds loved by fans around the world. After settling in Montreal, his creativity blossomed, leading to eight albums so far.

BIG NAMES

Sekouba Bambino

July 22, 9:30 p.m.
Le Parterre

Sekouba Bambino is famous for his blend of traditional and modern sounds. The guitarist, ngoni player and percussionist delivers performances made all the more inspiring by his unique voice and female backup singers.

UP-AND-COMERS: SYLIS D’OR WINNERS

El Son Sonó

July 18, 6:30 p.m.
Le Parterre

El Son Sonó, founded in Montreal by the brother-sister team of Tito and Élodie, takes us to Latin America with a diverse mix of sounds, from Peruvian waltzes to rumba, cumbia, festejo, salsa and jazz. Joyful music played by seven very talented musicians.


Ramon Chicharron

July 21, 6:30 p.m.
Le Parterre

Just close your eyes and listen: Ramon Chicharron’s Afro-Columbian cumbia will take you on a perfect road trip. Trombone, clarinet and psycho-tropical guitar make for a singular sound, which he calls “cumbia chicharronica.”

Kenzow

July 22, 5 p.m.
Le Parterre

There’s a good chance you’ve heard Kenzow before, busking in Montreal’s streets and metro stations. With his urban Afro-pop and West African reggae, this native of Burkina Faso reaches out to a vast audience.

HAFRICAN AND CARIBBEAN HIP-HOP

Zalama Crew

July 20, 8:40 p.m.
Le Parterre

If you like your music eclectic, Zalama Crew is the band for you! The Columbian collective marries traditional hip-hop sounds with jazz, bossa nova, funk, reggae and drum & bass, creating a uniquely spirited brand of urban music.


Boogat

July 22, 8 p.m.
Le Parterre

If you don’t know Boogat’s music, what are you waiting for? This Quebecer of Mexican and Paraguayan extraction builds cultural bridges with his music, marrying hip-hop with different Latin genres. There’s only one thing to do with these hot beats: get up and dance!

Marché Tombouctou

July 17 to 22

The ever-popular Marché Tombouctou is where you’ll find all kinds of great items from around the world: spices, leather, jewellery, clothing, musical instruments, art, tea, coffee and more.

For kids

July 20 to 22

The festival includes a number of free activities to introduce kids to the joys of cultural diversity, including traditional songs, music lessons, Afro-urban dance, storytelling and more.

Festival international Nuits d'Afrique
July 10 to 22

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