"A quiet stretch near Laurier and Querbes in Outremont carries the name of one of Montreal’s most beloved voices. Place Kate-McGarrigle, once known as Place Laurier, was renamed in 2013 to honour the late folk singer-songwriter, whose influence stretches far beyond the city block she once called home. McGarrigle rose to prominence alongside her sister Anna, performing as the duo Kate and Anna McGarrigle. Her legacy continues through her children, Martha and Rufus Wainwright, both acclaimed musicians in their own right.
The square’s understated charm belies its emotional weight. A pair of sculptural chairs by American artist Robert Wilson—commissioned by Rufus—sit like old friends in conversation. The artwork is titled Kate & Nora, referencing an alter ego from McGarrigle’s childhood. Beyond serving as a tribute, the site anchors a deeper personal narrative—of music, family, and memory—etched into the borough she never really left."
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