On Wednesday July 1 the Lakeshore Chamber Orchestra will be giving a free (yes, free!) concert as part of the overall Canada Day celebrations in conjunction with Pointe-Claire Village. We do this every year, and it’s always terrific fun. Our conductor is the justly famed Stewart Grant, who is phenomenal.

This year’s programme features music drawn from our country’s European roots:

Rossini – Overture from Barber of Seville
Grieg – Wedding Day at Troldhaugen
Bartok – Rumanian Folk Dances
Brahms – Hungarian Dances nos. 5 & 6
Chabrier – Suite pastorale
Smetana – Ma Vlast: Vltava (Die Moldau)
Walton – Crown Imperial Coronation March

The concert begins at 20h00. As always, this Canada Day concert is being presented at St-Joachim church in Pointe-Claire Village, located right on the waterfront at 2 Ste-Anne Street, a block and a half south of Lakeshore Road. The 211 bus from Lionel-Groulx metro drops you right in the village. Here’s a map to give you a general idea. I usually encourage those facing public transport to get together and coax a vehicle-enabled friend along by offering to buy them an ice cream or something. It works nicely, and it’s fun to go with a group. And hey, you can’t beat the price. Be aware that if you’re driving, parking will be at a premium because of the whole Canada Day festivities thing going on. Give yourself extra time to find a parking place and get to the church, which will be packed with people.

As it’s a holiday, the village will be full of various celebrations, booths, food stalls, and the like. Come early and enjoy what’s going on.

Free classical music! Soul-enriching culture! And as an enticing bonus, the fireworks are scheduled for 10 PM, right after we finish, and the church steps are a glorious spot from which to watch them. Write it on your calendar, and feel free to tell all your friends and family members! The more the merrier!