The RM of Ritchot’s recreation team is launching a range of summer activities for 2024, including live music and movies in the park.
Homegrown Harmonies is a free outdoor concert series put on by the municipality. The shows will visit several communities in Ritchot to showcase local musicians.
“This is the second year we are running this music in the park summer concert series, Homegrown Harmonies,” says Danielle Peters, coordinator of Community Engagement for Ritchot.
She says the events began last year as an idea from recreation director Shane Ray. As the name implies, the majority of musical groups will be local.
“The RM of Ritchot has four main communities—Ste. Agathe, St. Adolphe, Île-des-Chênes, and Grande Pointe—and we are hosting a concert in each one, hence why technically it’s travelling. Last summer was our first time launching this event and we did them solely in St. Adolphe and Grande Pointe. With the success it got last year, we wanted to run it again, but this time in all four of our towns.”
Organizers saw around 100 to 200 people attend the first concerts last year, and this year they are hoping to see many more.
The first show, on May 30, is coming to Ste. Agathe. It will feature the sounds of a variety of artists delivering multicultural music to listeners of all ages.
DC Sound System is bringing their own blend of Canadian and French West Indies sounds, treating the audience to a unique ska, dub, or “dance hall” sound set.
The Wagons, a family band, will perform a repertoire of original French, English, and Spanish compositions.
Happy Ouimet, another family-based band, is showcasing their rock, pop, and folk selections, including everything from heartfelt ballads to upbeat anthems.
On June 13 in St. Adolphe, guests can enjoy DC Sound System, Nic Messner, and the Prairie Joggers.
On July 11 in Île-des-Chênes, enjoy The Wagons, Theo Delaquis (and band), and Heartbreak Highway.
Finally, just before the August long weekend, come out and enjoy Kori Plesiuk and Lorrie Stade, Mel Bergen accompanied by Brad Buhler, as well as the Castaways on August 29 in Grande Pointe.
This year’s artists were selected after Peters put out a call for performers months in advance.
“I put out a call for artists back in January and got lots of interest,” says Peters. “We also reached out to the groups from last year to see if they would want to come back, and two said yes. Like I mentioned, most are local to the RM, but also French-speaking, which is exciting for us as we are a bilingual municipality.”
All shows run from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and attendees should bring their own lawn chairs, shades, or blankets. There are washrooms at each site, as well as food and beverage vendors, and lawn games organized by the RM.
“It’s an opportunity for community members to get outside, enjoy some free, live music, connect with their neighbours and spend time with friends and family, all while supporting local music,” adds Peters.
The Movies in the Park series is also launching, showing the Disney/Pixar movie Elemental on May 24 at Parc Auteuil in Île-des-Chênes.
“Same idea as the concert,” says Peters. “We’re doing one movie per town, each month from May to August.”
Ritchot Rec invites residents to vote for the movies they want to see throughout the summer. You can visit Ritchot Rec on social media for more information and to learn how to vote.
