The new series “Cabaret Confluences”: a new monthly gathering for the arts of Montreal’s Asian heart

Interview by Frédéric Cardin

Additional Information

The new Artistic Director of the Accès Asie Festival, Ziya Tabassian, wanted the Festival to extend throughout the year in order to strengthen ties with the Montreal community. He therefore had the idea of offering a series of multidisciplinary meetings, one at the end of each winter month, namely January, February and March. It’s called Cabaret Confluences. On the program, like a true cabaret, a rich and diverse mix of music, dance, poetry, performance, and theatre. All of this, of course, is supported by several artists, most of whom are based in Montreal. The Cabarets will therefore be a perfect opportunity to discover the remarkable artistic richness that bubbles in the heart of the Quebec metropolis. I discussed it with him.

INFORMATION AND TICKETS

Schedule and programming:

January 28, 2026 – Cabaret Confluences 1

The bilingual evening features a theatrical contemporary dance duo by Léa Tremblay Fong and Taylor Yeung, an improvised music performance by Fahmid Nibesh, a poetic reading by Kama La Mackerel, and Persian songs performed by Naghmeh Shafiei. Dona-Bella Kassab, MC and multidisciplinary artist, ensures cohesion between the performances.

Doors open at 7 PM. Show at 8 PM.

@ La Sala Rossa, 4848 Boul. Saint-Laurent, Montréal

——————————————————————–

February 25, 2026 – Cabaret Confluences 2

The Cabaret Confluences #2 explores artistic and cultural diversity through dance, stand-up comedy, music, poetry, and performance.

The bilingual evening brings together multidisciplinary artists: Janelle Hacault, a contemporary dancer and choreographer of Filipino/Franco-Canadian origin, cache cache (poetry, literature, and electronic ambient music), Ran Wang and Xuan Lucie Liu (Chinese music duo), Rinre, a young Japanese dancer based in Montreal, and Dona-Bella Kassab will serve as the master of ceremonies.

Doors open at 7 PM. Show at 8 PM. 

@ Toscadura, 4388 Saint-Laurent Blvd, Montreal

—————————————————————–

March 25, 2026 – Cabaret Confluences 3

The Cabaret Confluences #3 presents Amineh Sharifi with an excerpt from I Lost My Tongue, a bilingual French-Persian play exploring identity and language.

Followed by the trio blending poetry and music composed of Claudia Chan Tak, Géraldine Leong Sang, and Nay Theam.

Sasha Ashwini, a Bharatanatyam dancer, offers an exploration of identity and decolonial issues.

LiKouri, a singer born in Canada, whose mother is of Indian origin adopted by a Lebanese family, will share her musical creations.

Finally, Dona-Bella Kassab, MC and engaged multidisciplinary artist, will close the evening.

Doors open at 7 PM. Show at 8 PM.

@ La Sala Rossa, 4848 Boul. Saint-Laurent, Montréal

Latest 360 Content

FIJM 2026 | The Harp Can Count on Brandee Younger

FIJM 2026 | The Harp Can Count on Brandee Younger

FIJM 2026 | Joshua Redman: Notes and Thoughts from the Modern Jazz Giant

FIJM 2026 | Joshua Redman: Notes and Thoughts from the Modern Jazz Giant

FIJM 2026 | If you love alto sax, you gotta know Immanuel Wilkins

FIJM 2026 | If you love alto sax, you gotta know Immanuel Wilkins

Lanaudière Festival 2026 | Gala de la Terre and Saint Lawrence River protection with the Agora Orchestra on Opening Night

Lanaudière Festival 2026 | Gala de la Terre and Saint Lawrence River protection with the Agora Orchestra on Opening Night

FIJM 2026 | Day 7 | July 1 | Modibo Keita’s Picks

FIJM 2026 | Day 7 | July 1 | Modibo Keita’s Picks

FIJM 2026 | Keyon Harrold, Miles and him

FIJM 2026 | Keyon Harrold, Miles and him

FIJM 2026 | Rémi Cormier takes us up in his own Ascenseur pour l’échafaud

FIJM 2026 | Rémi Cormier takes us up in his own Ascenseur pour l’échafaud

FIJM 2026 | Marvin Caleb at the Heart of the Afro Revival in the Caribbean

FIJM 2026 | Marvin Caleb at the Heart of the Afro Revival in the Caribbean

FIJM 2026 | Trumpeter Rachel Therrien in Several Pieces, Part 1

FIJM 2026 | Trumpeter Rachel Therrien in Several Pieces, Part 1

FIJM 2026 | Adrian Quesada, a great musical innovator in Texas

FIJM 2026 | Adrian Quesada, a great musical innovator in Texas

FIJM 2026 | Louis Cole and David Binney, crucial players of an extended family in LA

FIJM 2026 | Louis Cole and David Binney, crucial players of an extended family in LA

FIJM 2026 | Day 4 | June 28 | Modibo Keita’s Picks

FIJM 2026 | Day 4 | June 28 | Modibo Keita’s Picks

FIJM 2026 | June 27 | Day 3 | Modibo Keita’s Picks

FIJM 2026 | June 27 | Day 3 | Modibo Keita’s Picks

Summer 2026 at Cammac: Stéphane Tétreault, Schubert, jazz, brunch, and hypnosis on the program

Summer 2026 at Cammac: Stéphane Tétreault, Schubert, jazz, brunch, and hypnosis on the program

FIJM 2026 | Solarium: Traditional Music Through the Lens of Jazz

FIJM 2026 | Solarium: Traditional Music Through the Lens of Jazz

Suoni 2026 | Time travelling with Wendy Eisenberg 

Suoni 2026 | Time travelling with Wendy Eisenberg 

Suoni 2026 | Sunken Cages, “weird and interesting music” by Ravish Momin

Suoni 2026 | Sunken Cages, “weird and interesting music” by Ravish Momin

Suoni 2026 | Alex Motta, Mexican double bassist for all contemporary expressions

Suoni 2026 | Alex Motta, Mexican double bassist for all contemporary expressions

Suoni 2026 | Dancing on chaos with The Ex

Suoni 2026 | Dancing on chaos with The Ex

Suoni 2026 | Adrian Avendaño, all his paths for Trading Places

Suoni 2026 | Adrian Avendaño, all his paths for Trading Places

SUONI 2026 | Anju Singh, artist in residence from Vancouver to MTL

SUONI 2026 | Anju Singh, artist in residence from Vancouver to MTL

Suoni 2026 | Kiva Stimac explains her choices

Suoni 2026 | Kiva Stimac explains her choices

Montréal Baroque Fest 2026 | Between food, whisky, concerts, and discoveries: A lot of sensations just before summer

Montréal Baroque Fest 2026 | Between food, whisky, concerts, and discoveries: A lot of sensations just before summer

Classica 2026 | 1001 Guitar Stories with Tommy Dupuis

Classica 2026 | 1001 Guitar Stories with Tommy Dupuis

Subscribe to our newsletter

Inscription
Infolettre

"*" indicates required fields

Type of Suscribers