Crowds gathered at the rotunda in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield’s Delpha-Sauvé Park on June 20 for the launch of the 25th anniversary season of Mardis en Musique and the first show of the summer.
Just before turning the stage over to blues and rock icon Jim Zeller and his band, the family of the late Laurent Meury, founder of the Tuesday night concert series, participated in a brief ceremony to rename the rotunda in his memory.
Meury’s daughter, Ann, who spoke on behalf of the family, noted her father had wanted to revitalize the park and rotunda, which historically had been a venue for performances and concerts. “That is what he was trying to recreate with the Mardis en Musique. Now, 25 years later, it is still going strong and you’re still here in great numbers. This means a lot to us,” she said.
Valleyfield mayor Miguel Lemieux unveiled a commemorative plaque that will be displayed on the Laurent-Meury rotunda. He then presented an honorary certificate to the Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie Beauharnois-Valleyfield-Haut-Saint-Laurent (CCIBVHSL) in recognition of the 25th anniversary of the concert series.
While accepting the honour, Suzanne Carrier, the president of the CCIBVHSL, acknowledged the members of the small committee behind the concerts and the numerous financial partners that contribute to the event’s success. She then turned the microphone over to Zeller. Having played with some of the greats, including Bob Dylan, Muddy Waters, and B.B. King, Zeller instantly brought the crowd to life with his rocker strut and wailing harmonica.
This year’s musical lineup features an eclectic mix of musical styles, entertaining performers, and bands, including Fuel Junkie, Chico Band, the Baby Boomer’s Band, JC Harrison and Country Connection, Boy Band Story, Denis Miron, Steve Faulkner and Breen Leboeuf, Volume 10, and Virginie Cummins.
The concerts are free of charge and take place every Tuesday evening until August 22 at the rotunda in Delpha-Sauvé Park. The complete program for the 25th season can be found online at ccibvhsl.ca/mardis-en-musique. (SR)