Urban lore has it Montreal's Tam Tams, named after the French word for hand drums like the bongo or djembe, started in the 80s, maybe late 70s, it depends on the source. According to writer Susan Krashinsky, it began with an African drumming workshop. For a change of pace, students convened in Jeanne-Mance Park on Mont Royal, beside the angel statue. Eventually, non-drummers joined in, dancing along with the ever changing beats until it became Tam Tams, Montreal's Sunday tradition in the park. By 1994, the city of Montreal took charge of maintenance, security and marketplace permits.
Tam Tams Are For Everyone
Babies, seniors, teens, thirty somethings, fifty-ish, jugglers, brazen flirts, medieval foam weaponry fighters, every generation and a wide array of subcultures are represented at Tam Tams. And the vibe is peaceful, all-accepting. It's even wheelchair accessible! And it's free. The only constraint with Tam Tams is the weather. The informal show only goes on between May through September, every Sunday as long as there's no rain, from noon to sundown or later.
Directions to Tam Tams Montreal
Take the 11 Bus West from Mont-Royal Metro. Get off at the corner of Mont-Royal and Parc. Walk up Avenue du Parc in the direction of a large, conspicuous patch of rising green space (you can't miss it!) until you reach the angel statue near the corner of Parc and Rachel. From there, just follow the beat of the drums to reach Tam Tam's epicentre.
A different route that requires less walking involves the perpetually packed 80 Bus North from Place-des-Arts Metro. Get off at the corner of Parc and Rachel and simply cross Parc in the direction of the angel.
Tam Tams Schedule in 2009
The city of Montreal gives marketplace permits only during Tam Tams season, which the city declared is every Sunday from May 3rd to September 7th in 2009. But die-hard drummers are known to extend the season minus the marketplace, so don't be surprised if Tam Tams continues well into October.
Tam Tams in Motion
Here's video of Tam Tams in action and here's a stylized version of the experience.
To Reserve a Market Spot at the Tam Tams
Call (514) 872-7080 on the Thursday prior between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to reserve a spot (the earlier, the better). You must be a Montreal resident over 16 years old with a mailing address. If accepted, you will then have to show up at specified location to pick up your city permit, on Sunday around 12:30 p.m.