Are you an up-and-coming Quebec artist looking for a stage? The team behind Festif! de Baie-Saint-Paul has officially launched registrations for the 14th edition of Cabaret Festif!, which is taking place in winter 2025.
Emerging artists can submit their applications, free of charge, from November 4 to 24. The competition is the first in Quebec that guarantees paid performances and offers free registration to its participants.
Featuring four shows in Baie-Saint-Paul, Cabaret Festif! provides a showcase for the 12 selected projects, with the qualifying rounds happening January 25, February 15 and March 8, 2025, at the Cabaret de la Maison Otis. The Grand Finale is set to take place on March 29 at the Salle Multi of the Germain Charlevoix.
The group comment debord will serve as this year's event's spokesperson. Having won the Audience Award at Cabaret Festif! in 2019, the Montreal-based group will be selecting their favourite 2025 project and providing a spot for them at one of their shows.
"We are very excited to be the spokespersons for Cabaret Festif! We had the chance to participate a few years ago, and it was an incredible experience. It's often said that it doesn't feel like a competition because it's more like a big family where everyone feels welcome. It's truly an honor and a great pleasure to take on this role this year," comment debord's Rémi Gauvin said in a statement.
Over $50,000 in prizes are up for grabs, including training, creation retreats, sound equipment, studio time and paid performances at major cultural events such as Festif! de Baie-Saint-Paul, the Festival en chanson de Petite-Vallée, the Festival international de la chanson de Granby, the Festival de la chanson de Tadoussac, Festival Off, Phoque OFF, Festival Cabane Panache, and this year, the new Festival Colline. Additionally, partnerships with Minotaure, Zaricot, Auberge festive Sea Shack, Vieux Bureau de Poste, and Bistro des Balcons will allow finalists to perform on some of the most beautiful stages in Quebec.
The four finalist projects will also gain an annual subscription to Phoque OFF PRO and hours of copyright management consultation with Sébastien Charest. The Pantoum award will also continue this year, granting a finalist a weekend of recording in its legendary studio in Quebec. The Domaine Forget will also offer a three-day creation residency to an artist of its choice. Finally, the Jury Prize will come with a $2,000 credit for equipment rental at Solotech.
To register, head here.