And yes, another Carrefour Mondial de l’Accordéon has passed, and it was the 35th edition!
It was as beautiful as the previous ones, despite the rain on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. André and I arrived just in time for the Friday picnic.
In recent years, the organization has introduced the idea of musical picnics on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at noon. Held in the beautiful Parc du Bassin, near the river and waterfalls, these picnics feature two 30-minute performances from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
People bring their chairs and food and enjoy listening to talented artists showcasing a variety of styles. It’s truly a fantastic idea!
Another great initiative from the new management is "Accordéon sur le Perron" (Accordion on the Porch). Two porches in the downtown area, located at different addresses and scheduled at specific times, host accordionists for 30-minute performances. These events are a wonderful opportunity for discovery!
As every year, the afternoon outdoor concerts, held on two different stages, were very popular. The venues were packed with people who love the diverse range of artists performing there.
The opening show, held indoors, is always a highlight and widely appreciated. Traditional music takes center stage since Montmagny is the capital of traditional music.
There’s even a school here, renowned worldwide.
Many traditional music accordionists, such as Denis Pépin, Timi Turmel, Benoit Bourque, Gaston Nolet, and others, performed on stage. Several times, Quebec-style step dancers performed to their music.
It was beautiful and lively—not just a holiday season treat!
Here’s an excellent report on a virtuoso of traditional music: Denis Pépin.
And yes,
We also got to hear artists from other Canadian provinces, Europe, the United States, and even from around the world.
This year, I had a major crush on an accordionist from Cincinnati who played musical pieces from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s on a 1936 accordion with an exceptional sound.
His attire was perfectly matched to the tunes he performed.
It was absolutely captivating.
We delighted in blues, swing, Charleston, marches, and vintage French waltzes!
His name? Matt Tolentino. Here’s a short excerpt:
I also discovered a trio whose soloist played the accordina…
I’ll let you explore this unique instrument, which lies somewhere between an accordion and a harmonica, with the trio Marcel Dreux:
And what can I say about a young classical accordionist? It was truly a masterpiece of art.
Her name is Georgina Bognar, a very talented young woman from Hungary.
Here she is:
To celebrate the 35th edition of the Carrefour in a truly special way, a Saturday evening event called La Grande Nocturne took place on the main outdoor stage in the heart of downtown.
One major drawback: it poured rain throughout the night. We had raincoats and umbrellas, and a few shelters had been set up.
The first part featured traditional music performed by a group specially formed for the occasion. It was magnificent—traditional tunes infused with a youthful vibe!
The second part of the evening was dedicated to the Marco Calliari Quartet. This Quebecer of Italian origin is renowned for his energy, enthusiasm, and passion. He managed to get the crowd on their feet despite the bad weather.
Listen to his signature song:
Many friends stayed at the Hôtel l’Oiselière, and in the evenings after dinner, they would gather together, and each accordionist present would play a tune… These moments are always so friendly and enjoyable.
The same kind of atmosphere could be found at the campground where we were staying. As you strolled around, you could hear accordion music coming from several spots. People would stop, listen, sing, chat—it’s truly a weekend where the accordion reigns supreme!
At the campground’s community hall, we even enjoyed a performance by an orchestra of women accordionists from Sherbrooke.
It was so melodic—it made me want to join a group! The energy was fantastic!
On Saturday and Sunday, several kiosks were set up for sales and demonstrations on the grounds of the Accordion Museum.
There was even a tent dedicated to the next generation of accordionists, where young performers of all ages proudly showcased their talent.
Serge and Mario Larocque had a booth near the outdoor stage. These two know so many people, and they spent time catching up with old friends, longtime acquaintances, and fellow accordion enthusiasts.
Let me tell you—it was all laughs, conversations, and good vibes… and business was booming!
Serge played to entertain passersby, who were thrilled to hear him. Some even mentioned they wished he had performed on stage like in previous years. They missed his music.
Many people bought his pen, which includes a USB key filled with beautiful musical pieces.
By 4 p.m. on Sunday, under heavy rain, André and I helped them close up their booth. André loaded the instruments and all the equipment into Mario’s truck.
No need to say he was drenched… a quick stop at the campground to change clothes, and off we went to a restaurant!
We quickly forgot the soggy ending while dining together at a lovely restaurant in Montmagny called Colosse Smokehouse, sharing stories about the highlights of the weekend.
Even in restaurants, the accordion is the star—you dine to the sound of talented accordionists.
Loïc Primeau Vinetti, whom many of us know, performed at the restaurant in Hôtel l’Oiselière.
We had lunch to the wonderful music of Gaston Nolet—eating, singing, listening… another beautiful memory!
Bernard Lafargue, a well-known artist and good friend of Serge, also performed in various restaurants.
Throughout the weekend, the charming town of Montmagny came alive to the rhythm of the accordion, featuring all sorts of musical styles.
There was even a traditional dance evening with a caller to guide the lively dancers.
There’s truly something for everyone! Believe me, you won’t get bored!
A captivating weekend that I never want to miss!
See you next year!
