POP Montreal is a music festival, a visual art exhibit, a film appreciation society, a flea market. It's also a series of art workshops just for kids! But POP Montreal is above all a celebration of creativity that keeps growing in size and popularity since its first edition in 2002. Presenting over 400 artists in the span of five days, the fest is usually held at the end of September and beginning of October. The eighth edition of POP Montreal runs September 30 through October 4, 2009.
POP Montreal: The Music Festival
Perhaps what POP is best known for is its across-the-board musical programming. Case in point: easy listening top 40 king/American Idol guest judge Burt Bacharach shared the 2008 spotlight (on separate stages) with aggressive tech punk noisemaker T. Raumschmiere. And that's part of POP Montreal's beauty: it dares to combine fiercely independent acts with commercial success stories though in its first years, it was almost completely indie. Past editions featured:
Kid Koala, Bajofondo, Ariane Moffatt and Disco Zombie Squad as well as icons Buffy Ste. Marie, Butthole Surfers and Os Mutantes are just a few of the acts gracing POP Montreal in 2009. For this year's musical lineup, visit POP Montreal's website.
POP Montreal: Film POP
Featuring films that revolve around the theme of music, 2009 spotlights twenty-some flicks including It Might Get Loud, a documentary uniting guitarists from three different generations: The Edge, Jimmy Page and Jack White. Another top highlight is P-Star Rising, the story of a then nine-year-old motherless girl from Harlem with immense rapping talent, perhaps enough to raise her family unit out of poverty. For this year's full Film Pop lineup, visit POP Montreal's Film Pop webpage.
POP Montreal: Puces POP
Puces is French for fleas, but Puces POP isn't so much a flea market as it is a creative DIY marketplace teeming with over 100 artists, independent record labels and entrepreneurs selling their creations to the public, an initiative that first premiered in 2006. Count on finding jewelry, fashion, cakes, home accessories, music and other handmade practicalities for sale. Puces POP's marketplace event is usually held during the last two days of POP Montreal. Consult Puces Pop webpage for details on this year's edition and to find out more about Fashion POP, a fashion show launch party and awards event.
POP Montreal: Art POP
Showcasing emerging contemporary arts talent alongside established artists from here and abroad, Art POP is a five-day celebration of visual art, open free to the public. For details on this year's artists, exhibits and events, visit Art POP's webpage.
POP Montreal: Kids POP
Crafts workshops, music workshops, live shows and more, Kids POP is an ode to the budding creativity in every child. For this year's lineup of workshops and events, check out Kids POP's webpage.
POP Montreal: Symposium
A five-day music conference open to artists, industry professionals and everyday music fans, find out what this year's POP Montreal symposium is all about.
