Let’s be honest. Is Montreal pretty epic at hosting music festivals in the summer? YES! Are the likes of the Jazz Fest and Osheaga some high quality events? Also yes! Do I sometimes with I could enjoy outdoor festivals without being trampled by an entire city being in one spot? Hell yes! Now I’m not here just to ask you a bunch of rhetorical questions. No, I come bearing a solution – I am a problem-solving type of gal after all. Ever heard of a little something called ShazamFest? Oh it’s only a giant nature eco music festival about an hour outside the city that has been around for 14 years! It is happening right now: July 11 to July 14 and it is packing a punch! Let’s talk about what’s in store.
ShazamFest – An Outdoor Carnival
First of all, call it a festival or call it a carnival, the four-day ShazamFest is the only event of its kind in Quebec. For the last 14 years, festival founder Ziv Przytyk has hosted the festival on the property of his family’s organic farm in the Eastern Townships. From the free camping ground to the secret clearing by the river, among the trees where the festivities take place, I could not imagine a more relaxed setting to be with friends while enjoying some tunes and fun activities. I’m getting a bit of a modern Woodstock feeling and I like it!
More specifically, with its air of “neo-vaudeville extravaganza” meets “eco-fest”, guests can sit back and enjoy the work of 15 musicians, 6 DJs and 10+ performers (circus acts, sexy clowns, theater, burlesque, etc.) all the while living their greenest life.
Music & Activities
This year, the musical acts include Afrikana Soul Sister with some traditional rhythms, Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire bringing the 70s sounds, the Souljazz Orchestra for your tropical soul needs and Juno Award nominee Susie Arioli for that smooth jazz.
Furthermore, when you are not watching a show, you can do SO many things. For example:
- – Lounge in the woods with a drink in hand at the new cocktail bar
- – Grab a bite at the Gourmet Organic Kitchen or Burger hut
- – Become an acrobat at the aerial workshop
- – Zen it up with some morning yoga al fresco
- – Take your wheels to the bitchin’ Skateboarding park
- – Participate in the popular Beard, Moustache & Mullets Contest (& win?)
Eco initiatives
One of my favorite things about ShazamFest is its continuous commitment to being as eco-responsible as possible. They have been doing this since their inauguration and they have become very successful at it in the past decade. Look at last year’s stats: 3 days + 2000 participants = only 12 bags of garbage. How!? What a feat. Check out a few of their 2019 green initiatives below.
ShazamFest It Up!
In summary, what an incredible way to spend a perfectly sunny summer weekend just outside the city. I think this Fest is best for those looking to discover new music and performance art or who are yearning for a quick nature getaway. For more details, you can head over to the 2019 festival’s Facebook page or their official website. Tickets can be bought on site, online or at retailers Omnivore (4351 St-Laurent) and Psychonaut (3624-A Boul. St-Laurent) in Montreal.
Lastly, everyone here at the blog loves a good summer music festival where we get to hang out with fellow festival-goers and discover new music – just like our experience at Osheaga, which you can read about here!
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JMSB alumna with a business mind and a creative heart. Prefers any environment where she can combine the two. World traveler who is at her happiest in airports/train stations/bus stands because that usually means she is on her way to explore a fascinating new destination. Curious about the process and history of creators such as Gaudí, Dalí, and Chanel to name just a few. Montrealer who loves discovering art and stories that set the soul on fire, making them all the more exciting to share!
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