2015 speaker Leilani Münter said it best: “C2 Montréal doesn’t feel like a conference. It feels like you’re at a party with exceptionally smart people.” (Thanks, Leilani!)
The truth is C2 is all about connection, and we believe connection comes in all shapes and sizes. That’s why we like our guests to stick around after the talks, masterclasses and workshops are over, and take the time to wind down together. That’s also why we take so much care in designing a new C2 village each year, inviting great local chefs, designers and artists to bring it to life with the best of what they do.
Antonio Park, Buonanotte, Joe Beef, a food truck garden and ice cream by the water
Antonio Park (Park, Lavanderia) and chefs from Joe Beef, Buonanotte and Le Sous-chef Marché gourmand are teaming up with the C2 food and beverage crew to offer participants a fresh mix of grilled, green and raw. The outdoor Plaza has been expanded this year to create a biergarten circled by a whole caravan of food trucks: DAS Trucks, Lucille’s, Mi Corazon, La Panthère verte, P.A. Gargantua and Pizzeria No 900 will be parked there for all three days, as will sweets cycle truck CRémy and Mr. Wilson’s frozen treats counter, for those who feel like a doughnut or a cone on the boardwalk. All of these foodie friends are working with us to help us honour our sustainability pledge.
Rhinocéros par Phi, Nømad, Frank & Oak, and suits made to measure
Those who wish to take a little bit of Montréal home will be tempted by an artful selection of products created by both emerging and celebrated designers, thanks to Nømad Boutique Mobile and the resolutely artistic Rhinocéros par Phi. After getting a shirt and a shave at the Frank & Oak shop, gentlemen may also acquire a truly made-to-measure suit or another piece of perfectly cut clothing thanks to Tailor2Go, which uses scanning technology to give you the best possible fit.
Sketching robots, a glass box, a doomsday clock, Post–it paintings and musical bikes
As you roam around the C2 village, you will likely, at one point or another, find yourself in front (or part of) a strange and surprising installation. Here are a few of the works of art sprinkled throughout the site: 5 Robots Named Paul, by Patrick Tresset (which will also be part of Biennale d’arts numériques), simultaneously sketch five different portraits of the same human; Glass Box, a three-dimensional immersive projection experience presented by C:Lab, the creative laboratory of Cirque du Soleil, in collaboration with 4U2C and with the participation of Solotech; the Countdown 2° Climate Clock, created by David Usher with Dr. Damon Matthews and researchers at Concordia University, reminds us that time is running short; Post-it Like It’s Hot by Lian Benoît, commissioned by Chromatic, will get us all painting by numbers (or in this case, posting it by numbers); as well as “The Musical Bikes” created by Julien & Stéphane Leblond with Dix au carré and presented by Ville de Montréal.
Speakers to share the stage with IN-Q, Millimetrik, Andy Nulman, Philip Sheppard, a folly artist and a beatboxer
After an opening act featuring IN-Q, resident DJ Millimetrik and an unlikely house band composed of folly artist Alain Collin and beatboxer Fab will be adding ambiance and rhythm to the conference programming under the loving supervision of world-renowned composer and cellist Philip Sheppard, back at C2 Montréal this year as Musical Director. Also back on stage is creative strategist and best-selling author Justin Kingsley, who takes on a lead role this year as MC, as well as Just For Laughs co-founder Andy Nulman, whose interventions are bound to loosen both jaws and minds between talks. Meanwhile, up on the Plaza, musical improv virtuosos In-16 will be adding their swag to the Big Top stage, hosted by media personality Tamy Emma Pepin on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Lighting up the nights
Montréal is known for its late-night energy and world-class music scene, and C2 participants don’t even need to leave the site to experience it. After an intense day of learning, thinking, hobnobbing, wheeling and dealing, relax and let the music wash over you. Featuring acts you won’t want to miss, the artistic programming on the Plaza and the Forum stage is presented by Hydro Québec. Here’s who will be dropping the beats on Tuesday and Wednesday:
On Tuesday night, the BODY META duo will be colouring the Plaza with an adventurous global patchwork of African grooves, Middle Eastern jams and steady flavours of disco and cumbia. If you’re at the right place at the right time, you might also run across the old-style New Orleans sounds of Jazz Street Boyz. On Wednesday night, it’ll be Fonkynson turning us on with his distinctly warm electronic rhythms.
Announcing the Illumination Night presented by Videotron lineup next week – presale starts now
Until we announce the whole Illumination Night presented by Videotron lineup next week, we’re offering all yay-sayers a special deal on advance ticket sales. All registered C2 participants are invited of course, but you can invite friends to join you for this memorable night on the Canal. Presale tickets for Illumination Night presented by Videotron (included in the 3-day pass) are on sale here.
