Where Shall We Go Dancing?
Montmagny was home to several venues where amateur accordionists could play for eager audiences. Here are just a few of the locations where local people met to spend pleasant evenings amid the sounds of their favourite instrument.
The Centre sportif Le Bûcheron
The Centre sportif Le Bûcheron
Established in 1944, the Centre sportif Le Bûcheron began its life as a meeting place for the local snowshoe club. In the 1960s and 1970s, it became more of a general-purpose leisure and cultural centre for the residents of Montmagny. In addition to organizing events, the centre also rented out its facilities. In fact, it was by far the town’s most popular venue for wedding receptions. Couples had to book at least a year and a half in advance! In those days, the band hired to play for a pair of newlyweds almost always featured an accordionist.
Montmagny Inn
The Montmagny Inn, later replaced by the À la Rive restaurant, first half of the 20th century
Albert J. B. Normand opened the Montmagny Inn on June 8, 1930. Until the venue was demolished in 1980, he and subsequent owners hosted hundreds of dances and shows featuring local accordionists.
Our Place or Yours?
In addition to reception halls and public venues, family homes were another popular gathering place for lovers of traditional music. Often, one house party spawned another, as guests at one event offered to host the next one, and so on.
Laetare Sunday in Montmagny, final quarter of the 20th century
Listen as Gérard Vézina describes the process: