Québec, May 21, 2014 – The National Battlefields Commission
The National Battlefields Commission proudly presents its 22nd season of free summer concerts on the Plains of Abraham. Over the years more than 600,000 people have enjoyed close to 3,000 local and visiting artists at the lively Edwin Bélanger Bandstand amid the trees—that’s over 1,000 performances in this idyllic setting. This year’s program upholds the tradition of top-notch acts and varied musical styles with 28 summer nights under the stars from June 12 to August 10, with shows Thursday through Sunday starting at 8 p.m. New acts will take the stage as well as old friends from seasons’ past. A summer at the Bandstand: a summer of discoveries!
Quick facts
- For the third straight year, audiences will be asked to share with us the shows that moved, uplifted, and stuck with them as they select this year’s audience favourite. Back this year will be previous winners Jean Ravel on June 20 (Favourite Show 2013) and Jivecity on June 13 (Favourite Show 2012). Ballot forms will be available at the beginning of the season at www.theplainsofabraham.ca and the winner will be revealed at the season finale on Sunday, August 10.
- Guy Dussault is back as host with Jean-François Lambert and the Abraham Band for two nights of Bandstand Varieties. Step into the hit TV series La Voix on June 15 with Philippe Berghella, Gabrielle Shonk, and Rémi Chassé, then prepare to swoon as Bandstand Varieties presents a special tribute to crooners in this year’s season finale on August 10. Tribute concerts have become a bandstand favourite and are eagerly anticipated by fans. This year also features a tribute to Gershwin, Ellington, and Porter with the Lorraine Gagnon Quintet: carrying you away to the land of jazz and swing on August 7.
- The season ranges from jazz to blues, retro, country, world music, rock, pop, folk, and Québécois, with thrilling artists such as Étienne Cousineau, Awadi, Jérôme Charlebois, Dominique Hudson, Seb’s Music Shop, Natalie Choquette and others—all eager to welcome you into their own special musical world. See our website for the complete program.
- The National Battlefields Commission is going greener and greener, protecting our environment and heritage for the benefit of future generations. To help us cut on paper use, we invite you to consult the online version of the season schedule. It’s available today and includes artist photos and bios. A printed version is also available onsite. Audience members can also share concert reviews and comments on our Facebook page. Each week’s schedule is also available on our automated info-line at 418-648-4050.
- We encourage spectators to walk, bus, or carpool to the show on concert nights. Private vehicle parking near the Bandstand is $7. A parking attendant will be on hand at the green tent starting at 6 p.m. weekdays and 5 p.m. weekends. To get to the parking lot, take Wolfe-Montcalm Avenue toward Musée des beaux-arts du Québec and turn left at the traffic circle towards the Edwin Bélanger Bandstand.
- The Edwin Bélanger Bandstand, which was built in 1991–1992 and inaugurated in 1993, is named after Captain Edwin Bélanger, a figure intimately tied to the Québec area musical scene. Born in Montmagny on November 18, 1910, Captain Bélanger had a rich and wide-ranging career as a violinist, violist, conductor, arranger, composer, and teacher up until his death on January 14, 2005. He played key roles in important local ensembles such as the Cercle Philharmonique de Québec Orchestra (which he founded in 1935 and directed for 7 years), Orchestre symphonique de Québec (as director from 1942–51), and the Royal 22e Régiment Band (as director from 1937–61), which earned international acclaim under his leadership.
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Contact
Nathalie Allaire
Outreach and Media Relations Officer
Communications Division
418-648-4801, nathalie.allaire@ccbn-nbc.gc.ca
