▲ (L-R) Peggy Clinton and Johnny Ross, Ivan Hicks, Vivian Hicks, Troy MacGillivray and Zakk Cormier (group), Lawrence Maxwell
And while Gallant admits the concert series is a little different this summer, he assures us that it has the same focus. “We’ve always presented a mixture of francophone singer-songwriters and anglophone singer-songwriters. It’s also extremely important for us to keep the Celtic tradition alive as well, complete with fiddles, so that the audience feels like they’re at a kitchen party, given that we are located in an Acadian region. We are still able to maintain that vibe on social media.” Upcoming artists in August include Josiane & Jacques Comeau on August 2 nd , Cynthia MacLeod on August 9 th , Peggy Clinton & Johnny Ross on August 16 th , Caroline Bernard & Rémi Arsenault on August 23 rd and Meaghan Blanchard on August 30 th . Previous artists have included Sirène et Matelot, Vishtèn, Lawrence Maxwell and Les Fireflies. Gallant says the response from artists has been nothing but positive as they have embraced learning how to produce quality video while also getting creative with their chosen personal venues. Past performers have hosted their show in everything from an outdoor woodshed to a living room. Thanks to the concert series’ funding partners and sponsors, the series was able to pay artists professional wages, which Gallant says is important at this time.
“Artists have been hit hard by COVID-19. They lost months’ worth of gigs, which means they lost months’ worth of income. So, we’re happy to be able to offer professional fees even if they are working from the inside of their living room or their outdoor woodshed.” Gallant says staying home is another one of the perks to streaming the series: no one has to leave his or her home to watch the shows. “Audience members have top-notch quality artists performing for them in the comfort of their own homes at a time that is convenient for them. Folks don’t have to go anywhere, and we felt that during this time of need we all need to stick together. So, we decided to offer the entire concert series for free this year!” While the Mont-Carmel Summer Concert Series might be free this summer, it’s definitely not short of the quality that loyal audience members have come to expect from it. “What makes the concert series stand out is the feeling you get when you’re in our venue with our performers. Artists love performing in our venue because they are so close to the audience— they get to mingle with the audience, they can have conversations with the audience. That human interaction is what makes it so special.”
And while there might not be as much human interaction this summer, Gallant assures us that when it comes to the Mont-Carmel Summer Concert Series “We’re keeping that same spirit alive… online!”
WHILE THE MONT-CARMEL SUMMER CONCERT SERIES MIGHT BE FREE THIS SUMMER, IT’S DEFINITELY NOT SHORT OF THE QUALITY THAT LOYAL AUDIENCE MEMBERS HAVE COME TO EXPECT FROM IT.
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www.pei-living.ca SUMMER 2020
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