If you can survive Montreal winters, you get your rewards-not only in the summer, which is jam-packed with festivals, but during the winter months, too. This February, and for the 13th year, the city hosted Montréal en Lumière, an 11-day festival of gastronomy, dance, theatre, circus arts and music, including a Jazz Series.
Running Feb. 16-26, this year’s edition highlighted Wallonia-Brussels, a.k.a. francophone Belgium, presenting cultural and culinary treats from the region. Two Belgian artists were named honorary co-presidents: legendary harmonica master Toots Thielemans, who has played the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal several times, and Luc De Larochellière, one of the most respected singer-songwriters in Quebec, who headlined the festival’s closing concert, Ne me quitte pas: a Tribute to Jacques Brel.
The Jazz Series at Montréal en Lumière
A grand cultural event brings Toots Thielemans, Al Di Meola, Robert Glasper and more to Quebec