Worldwide French music celebration hits high note in Halifax
Musicians are pictured performing in the Halifax public gardens as part of Fête de la musique on June 21, 2025 (Vanessa Wright/CTV Atlantic)
Haligonians joined a worldwide celebration Saturday when they enjoyed the sights and sounds of this year's Make Music Day event.
'In French, it's called 'Fête de la musique' because it's a French initiative,' says Melanie Koehnemann, the culture and communications officer for Alliance Française. 'It was born in France in the 80s.'
Performances took place at two Halifax locations this year, one at Public Gardens, and the other at a Northwood Care retirement facility.
Music fan
A music fan claps along during a performance at Fête de la musique in Halifax public gardens on June 21, 2025 (Vanessa Wright/CTV Atlantic)
Koehnemann says the event has a history of bringing music outside for everyone to celebrate, anywhere.
'The idea is to propose something different, something accessible and free, because there is no cost to this event,' says Koehnemann.
The celebration brought together artists of different genres from the francophone community for the public to enjoy.
'The whole idea of this music is to have people sing and perform it outside – amateurs, professionals,' says musician Suzie Quackenbush, who has performed at the event for about ten years. '(I sing) a lot of folk and I will alternate between English and French.'
Robert Brushedd – a musician and member of Alliance Française – also took centre stage at public gardens, performing with his guitar.
'What I did play is just stuff that I've been playing in my apartment over the last while, and I had the guitar since 1983,' says Brushedd.
Koehnemann says seeing people from different backgrounds of different ages enjoying Fête de la musique is what they strive for all year.
Performances at the Halifax public gardens and Northwood Care retirement facility will wrap up Saturday at 7:15 p.m.
music festival
A crowd watches a performance at Fête de la musique in Halifax public gardens on June 21, 2025 (Vanessa Wright/CTV Atlantic)
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