Musical magic in Montreal this summer

Solawa

Last week we reported on the city’s series of free outdoor concerts and block parties  happening in neighbourhoods in the West End and Southwest. But if you live in the north-central side of the city, you won’t have to travel far to catch some cool shows in the park.

July 27

Gotta Acoustik is award-winning singer, songwriter and guitarist Gotta Lago,who’ll be playing his signature mix of Afrobeat, reggae and Ivorian zouglou, including tracks from his album Carnet de route Soweto-Marrakech.  He’ll be accompanied by percussionist/vocalist Sadio Sissokho, bassist/vocalist Carlo Birri and a surprise guest.

Parc-nature de l’Île-de-la-Visitation (Ahuntsic-Cartierville), 7 p.m.

July 29

The Pickin’ Party Bluegrass Band plays that old Kentucky sound, from roots-music standards from the 1940s and ’50s and bluegrass covers of classic pop tunes.

Parc Sainte-Yvette (Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension), 7 p.m.

Aug. 2

Villeray’s public piano will be occupied by jazz man Gabriel Godbout-Castonguay and slam poet Ivy. The duo will play again on Aug. 7 (2 p.m.) and Aug. 30 (7 p.m.)

Place de Castelnau (Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension), 7 p.m.

Aug. 5

This isn’t a live show, but a screening of the film adaptation of Beatles musical Across the Universe promises a pretty sweet sonic experience.

Parc François-Perrault (Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension), 8:15 p.m.

Aug. 10

With a whirlwind of cultural influences, Montreal four-piece Solawa — featuring Éveline Grégoire-Rousseau (harp, vocals), Damian Nisenson (sax, guitar, vocals), Jean Félix Mailloux (bass, vocals) and Ziya Tabassian (percussion, vocals) — deliver a blend of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and South American sounds.

Parc François-Perrault (Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension), 7 p.m.

Aug. 11

Indian chanteuse Kiran Ahluwalia infuses the sound of her homeland with African desert blues and Western pop and traditional styles.

Place de la gare Jean-Talon (Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension), 7 p.m.

Aug. 13

Concerts Campbell presents Carotté, who bridges homegrown Québécois music with punk rock, as heard on their album Punklore et Trashdition, produced by Vincent Peake (Groovy Aardvvark, Grimskunk) in collaboration with Pierre Rémillard (Vulgaires Machins, Voivod, Mononc Serge & Anonymus…).

Parc Jarry (Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension), 7 p.m.

For more information about these concerts, and to see the city’s completecultural programming for the summer of 2016, visit the Accès Culture and À Nous Montréal websites.