Shazamfest returns!
Shazamfest offers free entry for children under 14 and free camping for all attendees. Membazam membership is available for $35 per year, providing perks and discounts while supporting families in need. and join the fun at Shazamfest 2024!
Shazamfest returns for its 19th edition from July 11 to 14. Set against the scenic Eastern Townships, Shazamfest offers a vibrant mix of music, circus acts, burlesque, dance, wrestling, camping, and workshops. This familyfriendly event, hosted on Shazamfarm, the childhood home of Founder/director Ziv Przytyk in Barnston West, features four stages of diverse performances, according to a June 21 press release.
This year’s festival highlights include the Kidzzone with workshops on circus skills, hula-hooping, and adventure playground building, and the Temple of Doom’s Doctor Doktorâh’s Laboratory, where kids can enjoy mad scientists and giant bubble performances.
Entertainment includes neovaudeville acts like sword swallowers and clowns, the Beard & Mustache Competition, and the epic Foam Sword Battle. Musical acts range from punk band DVTR and neo-soul duo Rau-ze to Brooklyn’s That Handsome Devil. DJS like Da Joint Doctor and DJ Morzion will keep the energy high.
Additional attractions include female wrestling league Lutte à l’est, Labokracboom troupe’s eco-conscious flea market, and sculptures by Philippe St-denis and Brahima Kone. Food options are locally sourced, with vegan, vegetarian, and carnivorous choices, and Montreal’s Omnivore restaurant offering Lebanese fare. Affordable camping options are available, with free round-trip shuttle service on Sunday.
Shazamfest is committed to environmental responsibility, encouraging the use of reusable dishware and compostable cups. Stages and structures are built from recycled materials, and there’s a post-festival garbage sorting party for volunteers.
Shazamfest offers free entry for children under 14 and free camping for all attendees. Membazam membership is available for $35 per year, providing perks and discounts while supporting families in need. For the full lineup and schedule, visit the Shazamfest website
More from Ziv Przytyk
The Record spoke with Przytyk July 2, the founder and driving force behind the festival.
“Can you believe it? This is our 19th year,” Przytyk marveled. The festival has always taken place on his family farm, providing a consistent and familiar setting for attendees. “It’s always been at the same location,” he confirmed.
The idea for Shazamfest was born from Przytyk’s early experiences and ambitions. “I tried to get into circus school in Montreal when I was 13, but I failed miserably,” he laughed. “At 28, I decided to start the festival while looking for a job in the arts in a rural area.”
Despite initial challenges, including an 18-year “wait for a paycheck,” Przytyk’s passion for creating a vibrant community around the arts persisted. “It’s been a fun trip so far. We’ve built a really cool community and artistic culture.”
Over nearly two decades, Shazamfest has evolved significantly. “We’ve become more family-oriented,” Przytyk noted. “During the pandemic, we had almost 400 kids on site. The family and kids aspect makes it a lot of fun.” He emphasized the importance of play and creativity, especially for adults. “With all the kids around, they help remind us what play really is.”
The festival offers a wide array of activities tailored to children. “We have as much, if not more, going on for kids than adults,” Przytyk said. This includes workshops in circus creation, an adventure path in the woods, and costume creation for the festival’s fashion show. “We’ve really upped our game this year with support from the MRC of Coaticook and the Ensemble de Développement Couturier.”
Additionally, Shazamfest provides a unique meal plan for children, priced at $35, which covers three meals a day plus snacks for the entire weekend. “Not many places offer that,” Przytyk pointed out. “It allows parents to spend more time playing and having fun with their kids instead of worrying about meals.”
The festival kicks off on Thursday night with performances by two bands, including a punk band from Sherbrooke’s Battle of the Bands and Rotin and Les Princes, who perform ‘80s covers. Friday features a costume tricycle race, a performance by Montreal punk band DVTR, and a traditional burlesque show. Saturday is packed with events, including a bearded contest and performances by bands like Kirá Chao and a hip-hop showcase hosted by Will E Skandalz from Kanesatake.
New this year is a free shuttle bus service from Sherbrooke. “It’s part of our program to make the festival more accessible,” Przytyk explained. “We have a membership program called Membazam, which helps provide free entry to families in need and supports initiatives like the free shuttle.”
Food at Shazamfest caters to all tastes, including organic, vegetarian, vegan, and carnivore options. “The food is really good and not expensive,” Przytyk said, adding that many attendees now choose to dine at the festival instead of bringing their own food. The festival site, located in a natural amphitheatre by the Niger River, offers a picturesque setting for camping, which is included in the ticket price.
The festival attracts around 2,000 people, with the capacity to host up to 3,000. “The land can get pretty muddy when it rains, but it’s all part of the experience,” Przytyk said.
In terms of entertainment, Shazamfest blurs the line between artists and attendees. “We have 150 volunteers who run the festival. It’s a community affair,” Przytyk stated. The festival attracts a diverse crowd from across North America, fostering a cult following.
One notable performance this year is the Renoviction Show by Sherbrooke bands Plomberie and Excavation et Poésie. “They’re donating all ticket proceeds to subsidized housing, a cause close to our hearts,” Przytyk said. “It’s important to support the community and causes that affect our attendees.”
Shazamfest promises to be an inclusive and vibrant celebration of music, art, and community. “We believe in supporting the causes that impact our festival-goers and artists,” Przytyk said.
New this year is a free shuttle bus service from Sherbrooke. “It’s part of our program to make the festival more accessible,”
Przytyk explained.