Peter Black
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
peterblack@qctonline.com
Eclectic might be an understatement to describe the set of six events at the Grand Theatre announced as part of Festival d’Été programming.
On July 13, for example, there’s an afternoon session with Geddy Lee, founder and bassist with the iconic Canadian band Rush, talking about his autobiography, My Effing Life.
In the evening, rock talk switches to movie music, with Star Wars: A New Hope in concert, featuring the score of the epic 1977 George Lucas classic performed by Montreal’s FILMharmonique Orchestra.
Though its repertoire does not include film music as its name suggests, The Cinematic Orchestra, a U.K.-based jazz band, is known for its “impressive and enigmatic live performances,” a FEQ press release stated. The group plays on the evening of July 7.
Also slated for Grand Theatre shows are Cajun favourite Zachary Richard (July 5), French-Swiss jazz trumpeter Éric Truffaz (July 4), and popular Quebec pianist Marianne Trudel opening for American jazz pianist Natalie Tenenbaum (July 12).
FEQ content director Louis Bellavance said the festival decided to pursue some acts that are not well-suited to an outdoor setting, an idea that’s been brewing with FEQ for several years.
“Instead of letting go of some of these amazing artists we were interested in,” the partnership with the Grand Theatre presented a way to do it, Bellavance said.
“It’s not for everyone to go to an outdoor festival and be standing up on a hill. There’s something very comforting about being part of Festival d’Été, but being inside and buying your seat and knowing where you’re going to be,” he added.
Bellevance said booking prog-rock legend Geddy Lee took considerable persuasion given he had already wrapped his book tour. He finally agreed, “because he wanted to connect with his Quebec fans.”
Tickets for individual shows are on sale through the FEQ website at prices ranging from $42.50 to $79.
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Geddy Lee of prog-rock legends Rush will discuss his autobiography at a FEQ event at the Grand Theatre on July 13.
Photo from FEQ