Monte dans l'Bus

Monte dans l'Bus: Music and Performing Arts for Children

Since 2014, the Monte dans l'Bus festival has invited children and their families to embark on a week of artistic discoveries in the heart of Mayenne. Supported by the Poc Pok association, which manages 6PAR4 (a contemporary music venue in Laval), this winter event has become a highlight of Laval's cultural life, attracting several thousand spectators each year.

An Eclectic and Demanding Program

The strength of Monte dans l'Bus lies in the diversity of its program. Each year, it offers about ten shows designed for young audiences, without ever sacrificing artistic quality: cine-concerts where live music accompanies animated films, drawn concerts mixing illustration and sound, contemporary or hip-hop dance performances, musical tales, shadow theater, comedy shows, and visual performances. Music, in all its forms and genres, is the common thread of this sensory adventure for children aged 3 and up.

A Festival Rooted in the Territory

Monte dans l'Bus is not confined to a single venue: the festival spreads across several towns in Laval Agglomération — Laval, Changé, Bonchamp-lès-Laval, Saint-Berthevin, L'Huisserie, Loiron-Ruillé — taking over various cultural spaces: 6PAR4, Théâtre de Laval, Le Reflet in Saint-Berthevin, Les Angenoises in Bonchamp, Le Quarante in Laval, and l'Espace du Maine in L'Huisserie. This touring approach allows it to reach a wide audience and bring culture closer to the residents.

The Village: A Festive and Participatory Highlight

Each edition culminates with Le Village, a festive day organized at Le Quarante in Laval. Creative workshops, games, shows, surprises, and activities punctuate this convivial moment where young and old share an afternoon of celebration around artistic creation. It's the unmissable family event of the festival.

Residencies and Creations

Beyond the programming, Monte dans l'Bus supports the emergence of new children's shows. 6PAR4 hosts companies in residence and supports the premieres of shows that are launched during the festival. This commitment to supporting creation strengthens the artistic identity of Monte dans l'Bus and contributes to the renewal of performing arts for children.

A Festival in Schools

Monte dans l'Bus also visits schools in the area, offering a tailored program that allows all children, including those who do not attend theater performances, to access quality productions. This educational and social dimension is at the heart of the Poc Pok association's project.