
On Friday, August 14, and Saturday, August 15, join us on the Chaussée des Écossais for two days of concerts and activities! In case of rain, the festival will take place indoors, in the Morrin Centre ballroom.
The Arts Alive Festival is back for its twelfth year in 2026! The whole family can join the celebration with concerts, contests, performances, and more. All outdoor activities are free and require no registration.
Friday, August 14
- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Drifting in the Cities – Art exhibition by Tanya Morand
- 5 to 7 p.m.: Festival opening! (free activities)
- 5 to 7 p.m.: Art Pop-Up with Tanya Morand
- 5 to 7 p.m.: Fraisinette (circus performances)
- 6 to 7 p.m.: Rock concert by Bash (guitar and voice)
- 7:30 to 9 p.m.: Concert by Meika in College Hall (ticketed)
Saturday, August 15
- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Drifting in the Cities – Art Exhibition by Tanya Morand
- 10:30 a.m.: Storytime (ages 3 to 7, no registration required)
- Noon to 4 p.m.: Festival Activities! (free activities)
- Noon to 4 p.m.: Artisan fair, Art Pop-Up with Tanya Morand, games for all ages
- Noon to 1:30 p.m.: Les Baigneurs (circus performances)
- 12:45 to 1:30 p.m.: Concert by Jonathan Bélanger (mandolin)
- 2:30 to 3 p.m.: Percussion Workshop with Flávia Nascimento
- 3 to 3:45 p.m.: Rock Concert by Bash (guitar and voice)
- 7:30 to 9 p.m.: Concert by Sarah Vanderzon in College Hall (ticketed)
Art Exhibition (August 12 to 19)
Join us for the official launch of the exhibition on Thursday, August 13, from 5 to 7 p.m.!
Drifting in the Cities will be displayed in the Morrin Centre ballroom from August 12 to 19.
The exhibition will be accessible for free every day between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., with no registration necessary.
Come have a look!
With its theme of figures in eco-responsible mobility moving through cities fragmented into parks, squares, and promenades, the imagery of Drifting in the Cities suggests a new paradigm for cities. This solo exhibition by Quebec contemporary artist Tanya Morand reveals the contrasts between urban density and the openness of public spaces and parks. Highly personal, her paintings and silkscreen prints are inspired by collages of photographs taken during her rambles through various cities, including Quebec City, Sherbrooke, Lisbon, Madrid, Istanbul, and Salamanca.
Learn more about the artist and her art HERE or by visiting her website.

“Music for the Blind Woman Walking,” 2026, Tanya Morand.
Oil and acrylic paint on canvas, 122 x 92 cm.
Friday Artists
Tanya Morand’s artwork has been exhibited in numerous contemporary art galleries, art fairs, and museums in Canada, the United States, Europe, and the UK. Her works have been purchased by collections including the CPOA, BANQ, and the Canada Council, as well as by numerous Canadian, American, and European private collections. Over the years, she has received grants from the CCA and CALQ and has participated in several artists’ residencies in Canada and Spain. The Sherbrooke Museum of Fine Arts presented a solo exhibition of her work from 2025 to 2026. Born in Montreal, the artist now resides in Quebec City.

Fraisinette (Véronique Provencher) is the star of a colorful walkabout performance for the whole family that brings sunshine and a “wow”factor to the ambiance! The playful juggler dazzles you with strolling acts featuring juggling with clubs, diabolos, a crystal ball, and rhythmic gymnastics ribbons.

Credit Sebaztien Girard
Originally from South America, from a family practically entirely made up of musicians, it was obvious that Bash would make music his lifestyle. Strongly influenced by rock and best known as a drummer, he has worked with various bands in his home country of Venezuela, as well as in Asia. From 2014 to 2018, he lived in China, performing in hotels, bars, festivals, and more. It was at that time that he realized he could sing and play guitar. He has since expanded his repertoire to include many songs from rock, pop, country, and other genres. Bash is currently settled in Quebec City, where he regularly plays in pubs and restaurants in and around the city

Friday Concert
On the evening of Friday, August 14, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., Meika and her band will present their show Tide of Love!
Meika grew up in Toronto with her colourful Jamaican family; that’s where her musical career began. Now living in Quebec City, the dynamic and passionate singer-songwriter and performing artist draws inspiration from Soul, Reggae, and Jazz to create a rich, uplifting musical world that brings people together. Meika’s warm voice and inviting stage presence makes each performance unforgettable.
Meika’s Band: Frank Cayer – Guitar | Giphy Baron – Bass | Jessy Ludovic – Drums
Learn more and purchase your tickets HERE.

Credit Cagdas Yoldas
Saturday Artists
Tanya Morand’s artwork has been exhibited in numerous contemporary art galleries, art fairs, and museums in Canada, the United States, Europe, and the UK. Her works have been purchased by collections including the CPOA, BANQ, and the Canada Council, as well as by numerous Canadian, American, and European private collections. Over the years, she has received grants from the CCA and CALQ and has participated in several artists’ residencies in Canada and Spain. The Sherbrooke Museum of Fine Arts presented a solo exhibition of her work from 2025 to 2026. Born in Montreal, the artist now resides in Quebec City.

Les Baigneurs (the bathers) are perpetual travelers, always on the lookout for something new; for them, everything is a discovery. They are also Olympic medalists in “dry-land swimming”—the only discipline of its kind where they are almost certainly the sole competitors. During this walkabout performance, imagination, and improvisation become a tourist destination! Les Productions Jean-Clown

Originally from Lévis and now based in Frelighsburg in the Eastern Townships, Jonathan Bélanger offers a unique perspective on his roots and introduces us to a little-known musical style. He studied music at Cégep de Saint-Laurent in Montreal (1997) and earned adegree in film scoring from UQAM (2013). Drawn to the richness of mandolin music during his travels, he honed his skills in the classical style under Florentino Calvo in France. Following his musical studies and travels, he founded the Mando Montréal music school, creating a successful venture that offers expertise and instrumental workshops to the local mandolin community. A two-time recipient of Canada Council for the Arts research grants, he explored the archives of the periodical Le Passe-Temps—research that led to the recording of two albums: LePasse-Temps (EP, 2022) and Sur le Boulevard (2023).

Credit Mickaël Theimer
Flávia Nascimento is funny and spirited. She is full of creative ideas to get everyone playing, dancing, singing, and making music on percussion instruments. Join us for this workshop with Flavia Nascimento, which blends the vibrant energy of Brazilian culture with a Quebecer imagination!

Originally from South America, from a family practically entirely made up of musicians, it was obvious that Bash would make music his lifestyle. Strongly influenced by rock and best known as a drummer, he has worked with various bands in his home country of Venezuela, as well as in Asia. From 2014 to 2018, he lived in China, performing in hotels, bars, festivals, and more. It was at that time that he realized he could sing and play guitar. He has since expanded his repertoire to include many songs from rock, pop, country, and other genres. Bash is currently settled in Quebec City, where he regularly plays in pubs and restaurants in and around the city

Our Artisans
Nina Boucher – Art books
Cara Gerard – Zines & art courses
Céline Lemieux – Woven and knitted products
Jeanni Potter – “The Cherish Mosaic” to shape your values and life direction
Maude Robichaud Godin – From illustrations to handmade Kinusaiga
Saturday Concert
On the evening of Saturday, August 15, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., discover a concert by Sarah Vanderzon!
With the arrival of Sarah Vanderzon’s new EP, Fortune Teller and her riveting first single “Are You With Me?,” the world is being introduced to a fresh, insightful and enjoyable new voice in the annals of Americana, folk and country.
Produced by Jordan Honsinger (Patrick James Clark, Morgan Griffiths) at his Nashville home studio and mixed by Jordan Oorebeek (Kalsey Kulyk, Sully Burrows), the Fortune Teller album by Sarah Vanderzon, native of rural Montreal and winner of the Emerging Artists Showcase at 2024’s Boots and Hearts Music Festival, weaves through six heartfelt narratives about love, attraction, loyalty and heartbreak: all delivered with potent melodies that underscore her universally relatable lyrics.
Learn more and purchase your tickets HERE.

Credit Dustin Haney
Arts Alive is a vibrant two-day celebration of creativity that brings people from different backgrounds together through visual art, live music, living traditions, and shared experiences. Designed as an open, welcoming event, the festival transforms the Morrin Centre and the heritage site’s street into a dynamic meeting point for artists, visitors, community members, and families alike.
This project is made possible thanks to the support of the Government of Canada and Desjardins.

