Daryle Singletary

The town of Bouctouche will be taken over by a country wave this summer. The Bouctouche Country Show will rock the town on Saturday July 23, starring none other than American country star Daryle Singletary along with the legendary Famille Daraîche from Québec. Paul Dwayne who will be launching his much anticipated new album on this night, will kick off the event. Bouctouche Country Show will take place at the Bouctouche Forum.

Tickets are on sale now! Country fans are invited to purchase their tickets early as a limited number will be sold.

“People in our area are great fans of country music which makes it easy to present such an event,” says Hert LeBlanc of Productions Hert LeBlanc Inc., organizer of the event. “People around here really have traditional country music at heart and are less inclined towards commercial country music which explains the headliner whose material really is at the grass-roots level.” Organizers of The Bouctouche Country Show are confident the event will attract a great deal of people. “We truly hope this will be the first of many concerts in Bouctouche,” exclaims Hert LeBlanc. Organizers are even contemplating holding a weekend long event in the future.

The line-up
Often described as one of the best traditional voice in country music, Daryle Singletary released his sixth album, Straight from the Heart, in February 2007. Originally from Georgia, Daryle says he has known since the age of nine that he wanted to be a great country vocalist.

La Famille Daraîche is a legendary family group that’s been on the Québec music scene since the early 70′s and have released countless albums. This family of four have a number of hit songs between them. Julie Daraîche received a Félix (Quebec’s equivalent of a Juno or Grammy) in 1979 for Best country/folk album and is considered to be the Queen of Country Music in Quebec selling over a million of her 30 albums!

Paul Dwayne is a local francophone country music purist who will be releasing his 7th album, Mon Dodge Truck, on that night. Paul is originally from Bouctouche and has been working the country music scene since the late 70′s. He is known in Quebec as the gentlemen of Acadian country music.

The Bouctouche Country Show is presented by Productions Hert LeBlanc Inc. and the town of Bouctouche in collaboration with the Bouctouche Minor Hockey Association. Tickets are on sale for $35 and can be purchased at Frank’s Music in Moncton, Joanne’s Video in Bouctouche, Bouctouche Bakery in Bouctouche, Higho in Saint-Antoine, EA Melanson in Cocagne and AR Musik in Tracadie.

Le Pays de la Sagouine welcomes a new artistic director, Luc LeBlanc. Well known as the actor who has embodied the role of Citrouille for a number of years, Mr. LeBlanc is delighted to be able to contribute in a new way to the world of l’Île-aux-Puces: “Le Pays de la Sagouine is an ongoing love story for me… a place for the fantastic, an outstanding team, and a sincere and loyal audience. It just wasn’t possible to say no to this new adventure as artistic director… As Citrouille says this year, ‘the sky’s the limit!’”

The Acadian Kitchen Party Experience
Regular presentations in English will be held in good Acadian kitchen party style every day at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm (hours may vary). Learn about Acadian culture through its history, past and present! With the help of our fiddler, we’ll even show you how to play the spoons in our engaging kitchen parties! For those with a sweet tooth, you’ll get to taste one of our famous Acadian desserts! The perfect occasion to discover the Acadian joie de vivre!

Four decades that have marked the Acadian imagination
The most famous character of Acadian popular culture first appeared 40 years ago. Played by Viola Léger and brought to life by the writer Antonine Maillet, La Sagouine is celebrating her 40^th anniversary this year. On July 24^th, we’re celebrating in style! An evening paying tribute to La Sagouine will be held in “le pays” that bears her name; as part of the tribute, a wine and cheese will take place at l’Ordre du Bon Temps Restaurant starting at 7 pm. Tickets cost $25.

From July 14^th, the new dinner theatre La Sagouine et le temps (La Sagouine 40 ans plus tard / La Sagouine 40 Years Later) with Viola Léger (text by Antonine Maillet) will begin its run (in French only). The play also features Denise Bouchard in the role of Mariaagélas and Luc LeBlanc in the role of Citrouille. It will be presented Thursdays and Fridays up to August 19^th at l’Ordre du Bon Temps. Tickets cost $53.

La Sagouine (in English)
All summer long, the public can enjoy evenings at Le Pays de la Sagouine with a delicious meal and a play during its famous dinner theatre. Not to be missed, La Sagouine (in English), is back. After 40 years on the stage, the character is certainly the most famous and enduring Acadian theatre phenomenon. The Acadian cleaning woman is sure to make the public laugh; she takes the stage on Sundays starting July 10^th through August 28^th (with the exception of Sunday, July 24^th). Other dinner theatres on the 2011 menu include: Un drôle de mariage (in French only) on Wednesdays and Saturdays from July 13^th to the 30^th and La Foire aux puces (in French only) on Wednesdays and Saturdays from August 3^rd to the 27^th. Dinner theatres are presented at l’Ordre du Bon Temps Restaurant (all tickets are $53). The shows start at 7 pm with the doors opening at 6:30 pm.

Something New at Le Pays!
This year, the family of l’Île-aux-Puces welcomes new actors and characters who know how to entertain with their colourful stories. Audience members are invited to meet the “gossipeuses” (in other words, people who like to gossip) and storytellers, who can help members better understand the wonderful world of Antonine Maillet. A new house band, Vieux Temps, will take the stage and make you swing to the Acadian rhythms of the good old times. Every day, audience members can tap their feet to the rhythms of Vieux Temps or of the group Les Cotchineux. Something else not to be missed: the gift shop of Le Pays has a new look, the perfect opportunity to find Acadian souvenirs to suit all tastes.

A New Play: C’t’un texte du Pays !,
Le Pays de la Sagouine is making room for new Acadian playwrights. C’t’un texte du Pays !, a play by Agathe Marie and Jenny Ferguson, will be presented at Le Hangar on Tuesdays from July 19^th to August 16^th at 8 pm. On stage: the characters of Florence and Marguerite à Pote played by the two playwrights. Tickets cost $15.

For the Kids!
Little kids can also join in the festivities at Le Pays de la Sagouine. On Saturday, July 9^th, they can sing with Roland and Monsieur Crapaud. Children and their parents are expected at l’Ordre du Bon Temps from 11 am. Tickets are already on sale for $10. On August 20^th, a very special presentation: the kids’ play Peigne… était une fois (Peigne… once upon a time). In the program: laughs, songs, and discoveries. The text and production are by Robert Gauvin and André Roy, with original music by Pierre-Guy Blanchard. Presented in collaboration with the Productions l’Entrepôt, the play will be shown exclusively at Le Pays de la Sagouine. Tickets are also on sale for $10.

Music at Le Pays!
On July 8^th, make room for musical evenings! On Fridays from July 8^th to the 29^th, as well as from August 5^th to the 26^th, Frolic Alpine will take over l’Île-aux-Puces starting at 9 pm (for those who are 19 years old and older). Appearing on stage are Jérémie Goguen, Hert LeBlanc, Louis Cormier, Paul Hébert, Maurice Belliveau, Rhéal LeBlanc, Freddy & Stéphane Daigle, and Réveil. Tickets are on sale only at the door for $8 for members and $10 for others. Every Friday from July 8^th to August 26^th, don’t miss evenings with local artists on La terrasse of l’Ordre du Bon Temps Restaurant from 5 pm to 8 pm. An opportunity to see and hear: Scott & Gerald, Daniel Goguen, Marc Babin, Serge LeBlanc, Richard Bourque, Mario Doiron, and Raymond Savoie. Admission is free!

Special Events in 2011
On Sunday, July 3^rd, the public is invited to an open house day, in collaboration with the Vestiaire Saint-Jean Baptiste (food bank) in Bouctouche. Admission is free. We encourage the public to make a donation or bring non-perishable food items. On August 15^th, Le Pays de la Sagouine is the place to be to celebrate Acadians’ National Holiday! Activities are planned for the entire day, including a Tintamarre at 3 pm and music in the evening with such big names in Acadian music as country star George Belliveau and the party band Tradition!

Acadian Culinary Delights
People can treat themselves to an Acadian buffet with savoury traditional meals at l’Ordre du Bon Temps Restaurant, Wednesdays to Saturdays, from July 13^th to August 20^th, between 11 am and 2 pm ($12.95). Sundays are the perfect occasion to have a meal with family and friends, and try the Restaurant’s famous Acadian brunch ($14.95) available from June 26^th to September 4^th, between 10 am and 2 pm. For something to eat between two presentations on l’Île-aux-Puces, make your way to the Paneterie, open every day from 10 am to 5:30 pm.

Le Pays de la Sagouine is located at 57 Acadie Street in Bouctouche, New Brunswick. It’s open to the public from June 26 to September 4, 2011, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. Le Pays is open from September 5^th to the 11^th for guided tours of l’Île-aux-Puces only, at 11 am and 1:30 pm. For more information on the various activities and how to purchase tickets, visit www.sagouine.com or call 1-800-561-9188.

Organisers are exited and say tickets are going fast for the first annual event. “Were very proud to organise the first annual East Shore Summer Country Kick-Off in Bouctouche, says Charles Hébert, President of East Shore Promotions. It’s going to be an awesome three day show with Nashville stars and great local artists and Acadian bands.”

An all star country, Acadian, and bluegrass line-up
Friday June 24 is Country day featuring Joe Diffie. Also taking the stage are Rick Reese & Neon Highway, Melanie D, Ivan Daigle, Scott & Gerald Delhunty, Ken Mellons, Lee Marlow, and Brian Mallery. The show starts at 5 pm. Tickets for the Friday event is $50.

Saturday June 25 will make room for Acadian and bluegrass music featuring Ronnie Bowman & Ken Mellons. The day will start at 2 pm with Acadians acts: Raymond Savoie, Serge Leblanc, Marc Babin & Maurice Belliveau. Ken Mellons will perform at 5:30 pm and acclaimed Bluegrass singer Ronnie Bowman will take the stage at 7 pm. At 9 pm the Acadian party kicks off with Tradition followed by Laurie Leblanc and the evening will end with one of the top Acadian bands in the province, Réveil. All-day tickets for Saturday are $30 and $20 after 9 pm.

Sunday June 26 is an all bluegrass day starting at noon with Grass Kickers followed by Back Roads, True Blue, Jean-Marc Doiron and. At 7 pm, it’ll be a second chance to hear bluegrass star Ronnie Bowman for his second set of the weekend. Tickets for Sunday are $15.

Tickets
Tickets are on sale at Frank’s music in Moncton, Chez Joane Video in Bouctouche and at Higho Music in Saint-Antoine and at La tavarne a Joe in Bouctouche. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.eastshorepromo.com or by phone 1-866-943-8849. Early birds weekend passes are available until June 15th at $55. After June 15th, weekend passes are $65.

How to get there
The venue location is at 70, Renaud Road in Sainte-Anne-De-Kent in New Brunswick. Directions are on the concert web site.

JOE DIFFIE: When you hear Joe Diffie sing, you can feel the honesty in his words. Since he first topped the charts in 1990 with Home, Joe has remained on a steady course, staying true to his Oklahoma roots and delivering hit after hit totaling twelve #1’s, twenty top 10’s and four gold and platinum albums. In addition to the numerous hits he kept for himself, Joe’s songs have been recorded by Holly Dunn, Tim McGraw, Tracy Lawrence, Conway Twitty, and Doug Stone. If you’ve ever been to a Joe Diffie concert, you don’t need to be told what an energetic, hit-filled show he delivers. Vern Gosdin once described Joe Diffie as “the man with the golden voice.” He’s won a Grammy, CMA Awards, and been honored as Humanitarian of the Year by the Country Music Broadcasters. He’s a member of the Grand Ole Opry, recorded with George Jones, and toured the country numerous times (www.joediffie.com).

RONNIE BOWMAN: Starting in a family band playing churches in North Carolina and Virginia, Ronnie Bowman eventually joined the acclaimed Bluegrass band The Lost & Found and shortly after he joined The Lonesome River Band. It wasn’t long before Ronnie Bowman became a household name in the Bluegrass community. With the release of an additional four albums as a member of the Lonesome River Band, Ronnie also recorded four solo projects. He has been awarded IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year three times, has twice earned the IBMA song of the Year award. As a songwriter Ronnie has earned a great deal of respect not only among Bluegrass professionals, but also in Country Music. Ronnie Bowman has achieved remarkable heights in his musical career as an award-winning Bluegrass songwriter and vocalist, and a respected, successful writer in Country music. Continuing to play the festivals that endear him to the music he loves remains an important focal point for him (www.ronniebowman.com).

KEN MELLONS: Born in Kingsport, TN, Ken Mellons’ musical experiences as a child ran rich with the sound of the Appalachian Mountains. Ken signed his first record deal in 1992 with Sony Music and sold over 500,000 copies of his debut album, which boasted the radio hits “Jukebox Junkie,” and “I Can Bring Her Back.” Though his commercial success is in the country music field, he can be found on any given day sitting in his living room singing a Larry Sparks song with his Martin guitar. Lately things have come full circle for the boy from Kingsport. He recently finished his first bluegrass album entitled “Rural Route ” with an all-star bluegrass line-up which reads like a who’s who of bluegrass hierarchy (www.kenmellons.net).

East Shore Promotions
East Shore Promotions is Atlantic Canada’s Premiere Special Event Planning, Management & Entertainment Booking Agency. With over 34 years of experience in the entertainment industry specializing in live concert events we offer the attention to detail, organization and expertise to insure your event runs smoothly (www.eastshorepromo.com).

La Sagouine (Photo by: Dolores Breau)

La Sagouine, a play featuring one of Acadia’s most famous characters, was recently featured at Toronto’s Pleaides Theatre and enjoyed great success. Penned by Antonine Maillet, La Sagouine is portrayed by Viola Léger who embodies completely this 72 year old shrewd Acadian washerwoman. She presented a series of monologues in front of a Toronto audience asking for more. Theatre critics were full of praise and described La Sagouine as a “national treasure”. The play was presented in English for two weeks at the end of May and in French from May 31^st to June 5^th. The last time La Sagouine was played in Toronto was in 1979.

Many cultural critics gave a perfect score to Viola Léger in the role that has made her a well-known figure on the Canadian theatre scene. Praises were also given to the team surrounding Léger: Director John Van Bureck, set designer Yannick Larrivée, and lighting director Robert Thompson.

“La Sagouine is a cultural and artistic treasure,” simply states The Globe and Mail. Cultural critic Christopher Hoile of Toronto’s Eye Weekly states: “La Sagouine is simply essential viewing. (…) There really are no words to describe the quiet brilliance of Léger’s performance. You simply cannot imagine anyone else so fully and so compassionately embodying such an immensely rich character.” Robert Crew of the Toronto Star says: “It is, in fact, one of the little gems of Canadian theatre — gritty, honest and utterly true to life. I’ve never seen La Sagouine in French and my feeling is that it would add an extra dimension to what is already a warm, wise and wonderful piece of theatre.” Critics praised the universality and realism of the monologues and gave notice to a solid direction and the glorious lighting.

La Sagouine was presented for the first time in 1971. She is the wife of a fisherman and, at 72 years old, scrubs floors for a living. She tells us stories in her own way, speaking of life in general, politics, and poverty with great wisdom and a wonderful sense of humour.

La Sagouine back in her hometown!

La Sagouine is back in her hometown. As every summer, the Dinner Theatre La Sagouine will be presented at Le Pays de la Sagouine in Bouctouche, New Brunswick. For the first time in many years, presentations in English will take place in July and August. Presentations in French are also on the schedule. Le Pays de la Sagouine kicked off its 2010 season on June 20^th. More information at www.sagouine.com.

La Sagouine (Photo by: Dolores Breau)

La Sagouine in English

This year, the dinner theatre La Sagouine will be presented in English. This cleaning woman, with little schooling who has forgotten her own name, continues to surprise, move, and make people laugh with her ruminations on the world and life in general. La Sagouine will be presented in English every Sunday in July and the first two Sundays of August. Presentations in French will also take place in July and August. Tickets on sale now!

All you want to know about Acadian Culture

The opportunity to discover the Acadian joie de vivre! Visitors can join the Pays’ tour guide for daily English presentations and learn about Acadian culture through its history, past, and present! Learn how to play the spoons and taste one of many famous Acadian desserts. English presentations are at 11 am and 2 pm every day.

Mega concert with 1755

The legendary Acadian group, 1755, will entertain the crowd with their popular songs and lively music on Saturday, July 24^th. Tickets are on sale $25 in advance and $35 at the door. Marc Babin will be on stage for the opening act.

Le Pays de la Sagouine in Bouctouche, NB.

Music and entertainment

The public can enjoy an evening of music by local artists on the patio of L’Ordre du Bon Temps restaurant, every Friday from 5 pm to 8 pm. Admission is free.

The popular Alpine Frolics are back! Every Friday night from July 2^th to August 27^th, many groups and artists will perform starting at 9 pm. Tickets are on sale at the door only ($8 for member and $9 for others). The Alpine Frolics are reserved for those 19 years and older.

L’Ordre du Bon Temps restaurant

L’Ordre du bon temps restaurant will open on June 20^th. The Acadian Brunch will be on the menu every Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm and the Acadian Buffet will be served Wednesday to Saturday, from July 14^th to August 21^st , 11 am to 2 pm. Many specials will be offered throughout the week.

The complete 2010 program is available on the website at www.sagouine.com . The public can buy tickets by calling the box office at 1 800 561-9188 or on the website.

A video of the artists in repetition for the summer is available at http://sagouine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=38 .

“The idea came from employees that wanted to organize a community event to help victims of the tragedy in Haiti. This supper will reunite people from the community while lending a hand to a good cause”, indicates Marie-France Doucet, General Manager of Le Pays de la Sagouine.

Certain characters such as Citrouille, Noume, Peigne, Mariaagelas, les Chicaneuses as well as musicians from Le Pays de la Sagouine will be present. All the profits will go to the Rotary International and the Canadian Red Cross.

“This disaster has touched a lot of people and they need our help. We didn’t hesitate when Le Pays de la Sagouine asked us to collaborate to this event. This initiative is very important for the Town of Bouctouche,” mentions Bouctouche mayor, Aldéo Saulnier.

Daniel Allain, president of the Bouctouche Rotary Club: “We are pleased to collaborate to this fundraiser. One of our missions is to help international causes and this fits in very well with our objectives.”

Tickets for the event can be purchased through Le Pays de la Sagouine’s ticket office at the cost of $10 per adult and $7 per children by calling 506-743-1400 or 1-800-561-9188. There will also be a take-out service available.