Four Months of Happiness - Most of the Things You Need to Know About Piknic Électronik

The events' launch is planned for May 21st, and it should end with the beautiful days of September. Last year's final bang, with Champion & lots of rain, helped those of us who were sad hide our tears. And this year's first edition, with Poker Flat rep Jeff Samuel, our own megastar Akufen, and a guy named Bleuchut, promises to kick things off directly into high gear.


Kickstart my heart indeed.

It took four years for the Piknic team to achieve the kind of status your mama envies : nobody will ever make them move away from the Place de l'Homme, under the Calder of Parc Jean-Drapeau, on Ste-Hélène Island. And I have never heard of a DJ, from the stone age to today, who doesn't want to play there.

The reason why Piknic people love their Sundays so much is unclear, or rather, too clear. Nothing is bad about Piknic. They're not paying me to write that, as surprising as it may sound. I've always been a big supporter, brought new people along with me every Sunday, and last year I didn't miss a single edition. To understand, simply put, you have to come.

Could it get any better than a t-dance where you can bring your own booze ? Where you get to enjoy the sun, the nicest view of downtown Montreal there is, and listen & dance to the best house music around ? It's as if you were on the moon with a breathable atmosphere, looking at the earth with a martini in hand, and telling yourself : "Man, they have no fuckin' idea of how nice it is here and the good times we're having".


I have put an option to halt the sun's effects until May 21st, so I can get my first sunburn there. Here's the picture : you get there, whichever way you prefer. You already hear the beats in the distance when you get out of your car. You walk towards this constant sonic pounding, which slowly amplifies, until you reach the tables where you pay 7$ to have a bracelet wrapped around your wrist. You go into the site, drop all you're holding, kick off your shoes, jump on the fake grass rugs & dance your week away. More or less.


The essentials

Of course, you need sun screen. I can't provide for everybody at the price these things are. A beach towel can also be nice to lay on when you get tired of dancing. Food is a must - you get real hungry after dancing a lot, and on the island it's not really easy to find 99 cents pizzerias. Sometimes, when it gets dark, you also need a cardigan. Your mom wouldn't be very proud of me if you got sick because I didn't warn you.


Why it's called a "family"

Since the event is taking place in the middle in the afternoon and usually concludes around 9 PM, it may be considered a "family" activity. And it was created with such a noble aim in sight : to give a chance to parents to DANCE. Children educated in this optique can only be, well, pretty cool. They'll become great dancers.



Seriously, there are small children's pools where you can bathe the baby, and kids are most welcome on site. And so are dogs. You can never go anywhere because your dog eats the furniture to protest ? Bring him ! Jaded clubbers not wanting to get smoked out in shady clubs LOVE Piknic, and so should you.

There's also the fact that these smiling faces you see every week will eventually become friends. Piknic makes you bond in a strange way. You'll see Piknic people everywhere in town, on regular week days, and just give them a nod that means : "See how boring everyday life is ? We'll show them on Sunday !".


Booze & drugs

While I've never seen someone being warned because he was smoking a big bud, I certainly wouldn't recommend it. Mostly because it's not a good example for kids, whatever you fucking stoners might think. And also because not everybody likes that nauseating ganja smell while we're trying to have a good time. Being reminded that some of you can't have fun without smoking a joint is just so very sad.

Chemicals can be an option, but as you'll see, we have more than our share of zombies coming to Piknic directly from an afterhours club and still shaking their glowsticks at the sun. And we most certainly don't need paranoïd cokeheads when the mood is relaxed & laidback.

I personally suggest you bring some booze. Remember, no glass is allowed on the site, since most of us are dancing barefoot, so if you wanna drink beer it has to be in a can. I like to bring already mixed drinks in plastic bottles, but if you insist on bringing the alcohol in its natural form, do like a good friend of mine and select Troïka's 60 ounces plastic bottle. Convenient, strong and big enough to get all your friends real drunk.


450's

Inevitable. Their number has grown over the years. And I'm not using the term in a derogatory way. 450's, for me, are people who LOOK like they're from Laval or Longueuil, while most of the time they're not. They're from St-Jérôme or St-Eustache. They mistook the Beach Club for Piknic. They ride Civics, have tribal tattoos, dress in white, wear their baseball caps upside down, are un-naturally tanned, and look as if they spend way too much time at the gym. You could sometimes think they all look the same.

Yes, they'll be there. Just act like they're invisible. If, and only if, they plan tam tam, you're allowed to throw a fit.


Getting there

There's a metro station not too far. Jean-Drapeau. Get outta there and follow the BPM.

If you're driving, it's nice, just take the Jacques-Cartier bridge and find some parking. You'll have to pay between 10$ & 14$ for the whole day, thanks to these greedy La Ronde fuckers.

If you're biking, it's even nicer. You'll be able to lock your bike nearer, and it won't cost you a dime. Plus you'll have a more appealing booty that you'll harden even more if you dance all day.


So things kick with a bang on May 21st. Jeff Samuel, Akufen & Bleuchut will blow you away with the best sounding outdoors sound system there is. Keep an eye open for more guests over the summer, and check here for special announcements, reports, pictures & uniquely effective party lessons. Papa knows you need your ass slapped.

Click here for Piknic's official website, where you can take a look at their weekly guests & be updated about the weather.