Westmount celebrates St. Jean in style

Beginning at 5 p.m., many of them picnicked in a small area reserved for the festivities, then enjoyed St. Jean cake, followed by music and singing, and a traditional 'feu de joie' bonfire at the close of the evening.

In a departure from Westmount's St. Jean celebrations in the past, this year's revolved largely around a single group of invited musical performers. The four-person contemporary Québécois band was led by Manuel Brault, who has played with Edith Butler, and François Guy, a former member of Les Sinners, a legendary 1960s Quebec rock band.

They played a wide selection of Québécois songs, old and new. Last year's entertainers included the Compagnie Franche de la Marine — a ceremonial 18th century New France military company — and the Reel & Macadam folkloric dance troupe. "It's a different group than we've had before," said Mayor Karin Marks. "And this year, instead of having dancing, we've got a musical group for people to listen to and it seems to be just as good. People still seem to be enjoying it."

Although rain wasn't a threat, the temperature was cooler than usual for late June. "When we have community events without wanting to jinx them, we seem to be very lucky with weather," Marks added. "Which maybe says something about Westmount and its luck … Somebody's shining down on our community spirit."

Philippe Turp, a Clarke Avenue resident, came to the celebration with his family fully prepared for the cool weather. While he sat in a garden chair wrapped in a blanket, his wife snuggled comfortably at his feet in a sleeping bag.

Turp was carried away by the music, which he said brought back memories of past St. Jean celebrations. "I remember in 1976, all the shows at the Parc Mont Royal," he said. "Claude Dubois sang, Gilles Vigneault. All our French poets."

Cradling a newborn daughter, Westmount artist Mark Venema noted that she was born on Father's Day. "This is our first Quebec baby," he said. "Our other two girls were born in Portugal. We're very happy to have a third girl."

Apart from the music, members of the audience found themselves being entertained by Dorchester Boulevard resident Richard Saint-Denis, who danced and pranced to the music for much of the evening, without a hint of inhibition, near the side of the stage.

"It's my contribution," said the sprightly 72-year-old, who is a familiar fixture at public events in Montreal throughout the year, including Just for Laughs and the Jazz Festival. "I've been dancing for seven years," he added. "A lot of people have seen me."