Pierre Kwenders at Les Jardins Gamelin on May 29, 2025

Press release

Montreal, April 14, 2025 – Pierre Kwenders tops the bill for opening night at Les Jardins Gamelin, this coming May 29 starting at 5 p.m., in Place Émilie-Gamelin in the Quartier Latin sector of the Quartier des Spectacles. The winner of the 2022 Polaris Music Prize and the 2023 Félix for Album of the Year will put on a dazzling show for the warm and festive evening. Pierre Kwenders will set the tone for the 11^th season of the Jardins, which continues until September 14. Produced by the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, the summer event and activity series presents a dynamic and engaging multidisciplinary program for all audiences, with evenings of dancing and live music, family fun, and delicious snacks on the large, lush terrasse. 

An opening night featuring R&B and more

On May 29 at 5 p.m., Dj Blackgold gets the party started with Afro and Latin-house sounds. At 7 p.m., rising Québécois R&B star Shah Frank will have the crowd dancing to his soul, hip-hop and R&B tunes – a high-energy performance reflecting Frank’s Haitian, American and Québécois heritage. Pierre Kwenders takes the stage at 8:30 p.m. to officially open the season with his biggest hits alongside songs from his latest EP, Tears on the Dancefloor. His unique music marries electronic sounds with African influences inspired by Congolese rumba – music that embodies the essence of Les Jardins Gamelin: crowd-pleasing and reflecting Montreal’s artistic diversity. The party continues until 11 p.m. 

11 great summers of culture

Les Jardins Gamelin’s entertaining series are back for the new season, including Latin dancing, live music and DJ sets. The lunchtime music series, midis à la carte, will be refreshed with the addition of electronic music to the repertoire, alongside R&B, pop and many other genres. Among the season’s new features are big-screen movies presented in collaboration with Cinéma public and beginners’ line-dancing lessons with a new event series called Spurs. Karaoke night returns each Monday throughout the season. After successful debuts last year, Illusion and 100Lux will return with their respective series, Les Jardins d’Illusion and Du streetdance avec 100Lux. The complete program will be announced in May. 

About the Jardins Gamelin 

In the spring of 2015, Place Émilie-Gamelin showed a new face to Quartier des Spectacles residents and visitors with Les Jardins Gamelin, open from May to September. A large, green and inviting civic space in the heart of downtown, Les Jardins Gamelin return every year with an original temporary layout and a versatile set of facilities. The space’s unique, accessible and human-scale programming, which has now completed five seasons, has become a part of daily life for residents and visitors, making Les Jardins Gamelin an inclusive gathering place in true Montreal style. The initiative, led by the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership and with the support of the Ville-Marie borough, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec and the Canada Council for the Arts, as well as the collaboration of numerous partners including Sentier Urbain, the Société de développement social and the SPVM. 

More informations : jardinsgamelin.com 

About the Quartier des Spectacles and the Partnership 

The Quartier des Spectacles is Montréal’s cultural heart, boasting North America’s most concentrated and diverse group of cultural venues as well as numerous festivals and events. The Quartier also hosts innovative urban installations involving cutting-edge lighting design and immersive environments. The Quartier des Spectacles has become an international showcase for digital public art.   

The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, founded in 2003, is a non-profit organization with more than 85 members active in the district. It is responsible for animating the Quartier des Spectacles by programming cultural activities, managing and animating public spaces, providing distinctive illumination and promoting the Quartier as a must-visit cultural destination. The Partnership benefits from the support of the Ville de Montréal. 

More informations : quartierdesspectacles.com  

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MEDIA CONTACT 

Communications Mingotwo   
Mélanie Mingotaud   
melanie@mingo2.ca   
(514) 582-5272   

SOURCE   

Partenariat du Quartier des spectacles   
Laurie Coulombe 
laurie.coulombe@quartierdesspectacles.com
(581) 998-6066