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

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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

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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

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