The National Battlefields Commission is proud to present its 25th season of free concerts on the Plains of Abraham and a tip of the hat to Canada’s 150th anniversary. The spotlight is on dual anniversary programming to showcase talent, emotion and elation through a variety of musical styles during 25 stellar musical evenings in the exhilarating decor of the Plains of Abraham. From June 8 to July 2 and from July 20 to August 6, Thursday to Sunday at 8 p.m. – not-to-be-missed events with emerging bands and artists from past editions who won over the hearts of spectators.

• From jazz to blues, retro to country, world music and music from Quebec, rock, pop, folk and traditional vocals performed by impassioned artists eager to share their world with you: David Jalbert, Gilles Sioui, Cindy Bédard, NOUBI, Angel Forrest, Les Bluebell Sisters, Fizz n Peak…just to name a few. Refer to our website for detailed programming.

• Guy Dussault will host the three Bandstand Varieties shows along with François Moisan, the Abraham Band musical director. On June 8, treat yourself to the first Varieties show and a selection of artists from the 2017 programming: Mehdi Cayenne (winner of Radio-Canada’s Portée Award), Marc Angers and the Fils du Diable and Jah Nissi. The third Varieties show closing the season (August 6) will celebrate the 25 years of the Bandstand’s existence with Martin Fontaine, Jacqueline Lefebvre and Maxime Farago.

• To celebrate Canada’s 150^th anniversary, the Bandstand will offer two custom-tailored shows to highlight the richness of the Canadian repertoire. The Abraham Band (July 23 – second Varieties show) will revisit the country’s greatest vocals with guest artists, while on July 2, the Lost Fingers will perform cover versions in a gypsy jazz style that they alone can master.

• Tribute concerts have always attracted fans to the Bandstand. In addition to Jeanick Fournier’s well-known tribute to Céline Dion, this edition proposes three others: Eric Clapton by Sixte, David Bowie by Bowie Revisited and Pink Floyd by Pulse Fiction.

• For the sixth year, spectators are invited to share their favorite show of the season by choosing the concert they feel stood out, got their toes tapping and their hands clapping. Vote using the form available at theplainsofabraham.ca. The winner of the 2017 Favorite Show will be announced on August 7, the day after the closing concert.

• Owing to environmental concerns and to preserve this unique heritage for future generations, the Park continues to go green. As a result, the National Battlefields Commission invites Bandstand enthusiasts to consult the program online, where show descriptions are available. The detailed program is on display at the Park (At the Joan of Arc Garden and near the Pavilion). Spectators may share their comments and appreciation of the concerts on our Facebook page. An info-show line is also available for information on performances during the week: 418 648-4050.

• To satisfy everyone’s appetite, Snack on the Plains by fastoche! will offer meals and snacks at the Pavilion ($).On show evenings, come on foot, take a bus, carpool, or for $9, park your vehicle near the Bandstand. A parking attendant will be waiting for visitors at the green tent from 5:00 p.m. every day. To enter, take Wolfe-Montcalm Avenue opposite the Musée National des beaux-arts du Québec and head for the Edwin-Bélanger Bandstand.

• Over the years, more than 600,000 spectators have applauded close to 3,000 local and foreign performers at the Edwin-Bélanger Bandstand, an outdoor stage that has hosted several hundred shows in an exceptional outdoor decor.   

• Inaugurated in 1993, the Edwin-Bélanger bandstand was named after a distinguished personality who greatly contributed to the growth of Québec City’s musical scene. Captain Edwin Bélanger, violinist, viola player, conductor, arranger, composer and teacher, enjoyed a long-standing, rewarding career. Born in Montmagny on November 18, 1910, Edwin Bélanger presided over the destinies of major orchestras such as the Cercle Philharmonique de Québec (that he founded in 1935 and directed for seven years) and the Orchestre Symphonique de Québec (1942-51) that acquired an enviable international reputation under his direction.

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• theplainsofabraham.ca

Nathalie Allaire
Outreach and Media Officer Communications Division
National Battlefields Commission
418 648-4801, nathalie.allaire@ccbn-nbc.gc.ca