Grosses têtes

Daily
Visual arts exhibition Mordre la lumière self – portrait
Bernard Jean Art Gallery – Caraquet Cultural Centre

Tuesday, August 3, 2010
11 am – noon: Songwriting workshop for children with Mario Chenart
TPA rehearsal hall – Caraquet Cultural Centre – Tickets: $10

8 pm: Jazz with Steve Amirault followed by Hot guitars Mario Chenart & John McGale
Caraquet Cultural Centre – Adults: $16/Students and seniors 65+: $12 (+ box office charge and hall improvement fee)

Wednesday, August 4, 2010
8 pm: Richard Desjardins followed by Arizona
Caraquet Cultural Centre – Adults: $20/Students and seniors 65+: $16 (+ box office charge and hall improvement fee)

Thursday, August 5, 2010
7:30 pm: NICA Storytelling evening with Kevin Arseneau, Nelson Michaud and Yvette Pitre followed by storyteller Dominique Breau
Salle Hédard – Albert – École des pêches – Caraquet – Tickets: $12 (+ box office charge)

8:30 pm: Show event with the duet of Jean – François Breau and Marie – Ève Janvier
Carrefour cabaret – Carrefour de la mer – Tickets: $30, $25 and $22 (+ box office charge and hall improvement fee)

Friday, August 6, 2010
4:30 pm: Official opening of Festival acadien de poésie and introduction of invited authors: Jean Arceneaux, Marjolaine Beauchamp, Claudine Bertrand, Claudius, Rose Després, Joël Des Rosiers, Danielle Fournier, Dominic Langlois, Ron Léger, Joanne Morency, Brenda Mounier, Éric Roger, Christian Roy and Serge Patrice Thibodeau
Grains de folie Bakery – Free

5 pm: Festival acadien de poésie’s Grains de poésie with readings by Brenda Mounier, Christian Roy and ACADIEN
Grains de folie Bakery -Free

7 pm: Miscellanées…musicales classical concert. A selection of compositions by music teacher and critic Roger E. Cormier
Église Saint – Pierre – aux – Liens – Caraquet – Adults: $14/Students and seniors 65+: $12 (+ box office charge and hall improvement fee)

8:30 pm: Country cabaret evening with Mike Parker and Denis Landry
Alpine Stage – Colisée Léopold-Foulem< – Adults: $16/Students and seniors 65+: $14 (+ box office charge and hall improvement fee)

9 pm: RAG’s Dérives literary show part of Festival acadien de poésie with Réal – Gabriel Bujold, France Cayouette, Marie Nicholas de Ferrer, Nicole Filion (read by Raymond Bonin), Anick Fortin, Ginette Landry, Jocelyne Mallet – Parent, Joanne Morency, Gérald Tremblay, Patrick Tremblay, Rose – Hélène Tremblay and Gracia Couturier
Salle Hédard – Lanteigne – École des Pêches – Caraquet – Adults: $12/Students and seniors 65+: $10 (+ box office charge

Saturday, August 7, 2010
11 a.m.: Festival acadien de poésie Mille mots, mille images with readings by Claudius, Joanne Morency, Serge Patrice Thibodeau – Live art with Nicole Haché
Carrefour de l’Art Gallery – Carrefour de la mer – Caraquet – Free

1:30 pm: Festival acadien de poésie’s Douceurs et poésie with readings by Jean Arceneaux, Marjolaine Beauchamp, Claudine Bertrand, Danielle Fournier and Ron Léger Event host: Christiane St – Pierre. Herbal teas and sweets served
In the big tent – Gîte de l’Isle – du – Randonneur – Free

3:30 pm: Festival acadien de poésie’s Café poème with readings by Marjolaine Beauchamp, Rose Després, Éric Roger and Christian Roy in an intimate setting
Café Phare – Free

7 pm: Loraine Félix, Vivianne Roy and Kevin McIntyre
Rogers Stage – outside the Carrefour de la mer – Free

8 pm: Festival acadien de poésie’s Grande soirée de poésie Voir Miscou et mourir… in collaboration with Les Productions Île Miscou, with readings by Claudius, Claudine Bertrand, Rose Després, Dominic Langlois, Ron Léger, Brenda Mounier and Serge Patrice Thibodeau Wine and cheese served
Miscou Lighthouse – Miscou (allow 1 hour and 10 minutes from Caraquet) – Tickets: $10 (+ box office charge)

9:30 pm: Méchant party with Blou and Alain – François
Alpine Stage – Colisée Léopold-Foulem – Adults: $16 (+ box office charge and hall improvement fee); must be 19 years and over<

Sunday, August 8, 2010
1 pm: Festival acadien de poésie’s Les poètes à la plagewith readings by Danielle Fournier, Joanne Morency and Éric Roger
Parc des Fondateurs, at the entrance to town – Bas-Caraquet – Free

2 pm: Children’s show Les Oui – Oui – Chéris
Caraquet Cultural Centre – Tickets: $9.50

2:30 pm: Festival acadien de poésie’s Mille mots, mille images with readings by Claudine Bertrand, Joël Des Rosiers and Brenda Mounier. Live art with Nicole Haché
Carrefour de l’Art Gallery – Carrefour de la mer – Free

4 pm: Book launch Éditions Perce – Neige of Christian Brun, Jean- Paul Daoust, Ronald Després, Hélène Harbec, Georgette LeBlanc and Dominic Langlois
Librairie Pélagie/Grains de folie Bakery – Free

5 pm: Festival acadien de poésie’s Grains de poésie with readings by Claudius, Dominic Langlois, Ron Léger and Joanne Morency
Grains de folie Bakery – Free

8 pm: Angèle Arsenault accompanied by the voice of Marcella Richard on guitar and Alice Bérubé on violin and cello
Caraquet Cultural Centre – Adults: $20/Students and seniors 65+: $16 (+ box office charge and hall improvement fee)

8:30 pm: Belle soirée de poésie Martin-Pître followed by the Shaun Ferguson Orkestra show. Guest poets: Jean Arceneaux, Marjolaine Beauchamp, Joël Des Rosiers, Danielle Fournier, Éric Roger and Christian Roy
Salle Hédard – Lanteigne – École des Pêches – Caraquet – Adults: $14/Students and seniors 65+: $10 (+ box office charge)

Monday, August 9, 2010
11 am: Round table on the Festival acadien de poésie’s theme of “Writing, (Re)constructing” with Barry Jean Ancelet, Joël Des Rosiers and Serge – Patrice Thibodeau
Caraquet Cultural Centre – Free

12:45 pm: Festival acadien de poésie’s Derniers mots, dernières images with readings by Rose Després and Dominic Langlois. Unveiling of Nicole Haché’s work Mille mots, mille images
Bernard Jean Gallery – Caraquet Cultural Centre – Free

8 pm: Lina Boudreau followed by Patsy Gallant sings Piaf
Caraquet Cultural Centre – Adults: $20/Students and seniors 65+: $16 (+ box office charge and hall improvement fee)

9 pm: Cabaret du Réverbère with Cédric Vieno, Serge Brido, John Jerome and the Great 88 and Tortuh – Salle Hédard – Lanteigne – École des Pêches – Adults: $12/Students and seniors 65+: $8 (+ box office charge)

Tuesday, August 10, 2010
7 pm: La Trâlée
Rogers Stage – Vieux couvent site – Free

8 pm: Damien Robitaille and Hélène Godin
Caraquet Cultural Centre – Adults: $18/Students and seniors 65+: $14 (+ box office charge and hall improvement fee)

Wednesday, August 11, 2010
7:30 pm: Classical show with soprano Christina Lanteigne Haldane, violinist Isabelle Fournier and pianist Carl Philippe Gionet
Église Saint – Pierre – aux – Liens – Caraquet – Adults: $14/Students and seniors 65+: $10 (+ box office charge)

9 pm: Éric Lapointe and Lisa LeBlanc
Alpine Stage – Colisée Léopold-Foulem – Adults: $25 (+ box office charge and hall improvement fee) – Students and seniors 65+: $20

Thursday, August 12, 2010
8:30 pm: Cabaret evening with Lennie Gallant and Roland Gauvin and La Grosse Band
Colisée Léopold-Foulem - Adults: $18/Students and seniors 65+: $12 (+ box office charge and hall improvement fee)

11 pm: Late showcase with Radio – Radio followed by a guest DJ
Salle Hédard – Lanteigne – École des Pêches – Caraquet – Tickets: $7 (+ box office charge)

Friday, August 13, 2010
2 – 3 pm: Seniors’ show with Roland Gauvin
Villa Beauséjour – Free

3 pm: Francophonie showcase with Marie – Philippe Bergeron, Christian Kit Goguen, Daniel Léger and Mary Barry
Salle Hédard – Lanteigne – École des Pêches – Caraquet- Tickets: $7 (+ box office charge)

7 pm: 132 Est
Rogers Stage – Outside the Carrefour de la mer – Free

9 pm: Cabaret evening with Isle Dernière, Joseph Edgar and Grand Dérangement
Carrefour Cabaret – Carrefour de la mer – Caraquet – Adults: $18/Students and seniors 65+: $12 (+ box office charge and hall improvement fee)

Saturday, August 14, 2010
11 am: Children’s show with Éloïse
Louis-Mailloux School – Tickets: $8

7:30 pm: Haitian theatre with Comédie Sans Frontières d’Haïti performing Georges Béleck’s Haïti, cri d’espoir
Boîte-Théâtre – 15 years and over – Adults: $12/Students and seniors 65+: $8 – Tickets on sale at the door or by reservation at TPA (506.727.0920) or Festival acadien (506.727.2787)

9:30 pm: Méchant Party with Tradition and Swing
Alpine Stage – Colisée Léopold-Foulem – Adults: $18 (+ box office charge and hall improvement fee) – 19 years of age and over

Sunday, August 15, 2010
10 – 11 am: Acadian National Day mass
Sainte-Anne-du-Bocage chapel

1 pm: Opening of the Tintamarre site with kiosks, animated activities and beverage service

2 – 6 pm: Grand preparation for the Tintamarre
Behind Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens Church

2 – 3 pm: Revival of the 1884 Acadian Convention by the Village Historique Acadien team – Place du Vieux couvent – Free

2 pm: Animated activities on stilts
Behind Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens Church

3 – 5 pm: Musical segment with Louise Vautour, Lisa LeBlanc and Vishtèn
Place du Vieux couvent – In the event of inclement weather: Église Saint – Pierre – aux – Liens – Caraquet – Free

6 – 7 pm: The 31st Tintamarre
Saint – Pierre Blvd West, from Vieux couvent to Cormier St.

8 pm: Vishtèn Followed by the Acadie en Fête show event with Quimorucru, 1755 and Swing
Butte du Calvaire (behind Caraquet Cultural Centre) – Adults: $26/Students and seniors 65+: $18 (+ box office charge) – Free for children 12 years and under

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Blessings of the float

Until August 15^th, Caraquet is the place to be! Many cultural events celebrating French-speaking culture, from Acadie and beyond, are on the program: concerts featuring Acadian music, rock, Cajun style, Québec artists, rap and electro-pop, classical, jazz, a special theatre play celebrating Haiti, and much more. There is something for everyone at the 48^th edition of the Festival acadien de Caraquet!

The Festival acadien de Caraquet is proud to showcase many talented artists from here and beyond. On August 4^th, the public will have the chance to see great Quebec singer-songwriter, Richard Desjardins, whose respected work has been critically acclaimed from all over. Acadian Peninsula born Jean-François Breau, now a well-known artist in la Francophonie, will present a show with the charming Marie-Ève Janvier, his partner on stage as well as in life, on August 5^th. An evening of country music with Mike Parker and Denis Landry will take place on August 6^th and on August 7^th people will dancing with Nova Scotia act Blou and Quebec singer Alain François. Legendary Acadian singer, Angèle Arsenault, will be bringing her positive energy and joie-de-vivre onstage on August 8^th.

The next day, Pop singer, Patsy Gallant, will interpret the songs of Edith Piaf following a concert by Acadian singer Lina Boudreau. The crowd will be rocking on August 11^th with Quebec singer Éric Lapointe. Young NB singer songwriter Lisa LeBlanc will the opening act. On August 14^th, an evening with two popular bands : Tradition and Swing.

Hip hop and electronic fans are spoiled this year with Misteur Valaire and La Patère rose (August 2^nd) and Acadian rap hip hop act Radio Radio whose music are on constant play on music stations such as Musique plus, Bande à part, and CBC Radio 3. Two classical music concerts are on the program. On August 6^th, Miscellanées… musicales will feature a selection of compositions by music teacher and critic Roger E. Cormier and on August 11^th sit back and enjoy a concert by renowned Canadian soprano Christina Lanteigne Haldane, violinist Isabelle Fournier, and Caraquet-born pianist Carl-Philippe Gionet. Both concerts are at the Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens Church in Caraquet. Other artists on the program include Ontario’s Damien Robitaille, Moncton’s Hélène Godin, PEI native Lennie Gallant, Roland Gauvin, Joseph Edgar, Acadian band Grand Dérangement, and many more!

Tintamarre

August 15 is Acadian Day and the town of Caraquet celebrates in full colours and with lots of noise! People start meeting at 1 pm in downtown Caraquet to get ready for the event. Music, street performers, various kiosks, and a beverage service will be on site. At 6 pm sharp, the traditional Tintamarre is on! Colourful costumes, “Grosses têtes”, people with whistles and horns, pots and pans, the Caraquet Tintamarre is a full blown carnivalesque event which attracts thousands of visitors and party-goers each year. For the Acadian population, the Tintamarre is a way of showing the vivacity of its people. At 8 pm, let the music begin with Vishten followed by the concert l’Acadie en fête with Gaspésie band Quimorucru, Acadian legendary band 1755, and Swing, a francophone duo from Ontario and regulars at the Festival who really know how to get the crowd moving! The concert l’Acadie en fête is open to all and will take place outside near the Caraquet culturel center. Tickets are on sale.

Many concerts and activities for children are also on the program. For the complete concert list, locations, and ticket prices, please visit www.festivalacadien.ca. Tickets are on sale through the Ticketing Network Accès at www.billetterieacces.ca or by calling 1-800-992-4040.

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Born October 16, 1948 in Dallas Texas, Andrew began his professional career at age 16 playing with Freddie King’s backing band, the Thunderbirds. In 1967 Jones join R&B, soul singer Bobby Patterson and the Mustangs. They signed with Abnak Records and recorded several 45 singles on the Jet Star label. During this time he saw and met session guitar great Cornell Dupree. Dupree use to sit in with Jones and the other musicians on Andrew’s local area gigs.

In 1973 blues great Freddie King asked Jones to join his band again. In the 80’s Andrew was working with local artist R.L. Griffin, and also R&B singing great Johnny Taylor. In late 1987 Andrew went to California to join Russell Jackson, and Tony Coleman as the Silent Partners. Jackson and Coleman are both known for their work with B.B. King. In mid 1988 Jones along with Jackson and Coleman recorded with Katie Webster on her critically praised Alligator Records album, (Swamp Boogie Queen). In late 1989 Andrew and Charlie Musselwhite were recording on Sonny Rhodes album, and they hit it off. Later Musselwhite talked to Jones about starting a band with Jones in it. In the early to mid 1990’s they recorded three albums together: (Ace of Harps), (Signature), and (In My Time). Andrew co-wrote two songs with Mussewhite, River Hip Mama, on (Ace of Harps), and It’s Getting Warm In Here, on Signature. The band won a W.C. Handy award for best band in 1995.

Andrew returned to Dallas in 1996 and later that year signed and recorded his first CD for J.S.P. Records, (I Need Time). In 1998, Rounder Records released Andrew’s second CD, (Watch What You Say), and was also nominated for a W.C. Handy award for best new blues artist. In 2001, Andrew’s third CD, (Mr. Domestic) was released on his own label Galexc Records. In 2005, Andrew signed and recorded his fourth and his first live CD, (Jr. Boy Live). In 2009, Andrew signed with Electro-Fi Records, and released his fifth CD, (Gettin’ Real). Andrew thinks that this is some of his best writing to date. The multitude of rave reviews may indicate that the critics agree.

“A Stunningly Accomplished Blues Guitarist” –LIVING BLUES
“Slow Burning Guitar with Emotion Filled Vocals” – BLUES ON STAGE

Thanks to the TBS sponsors, without whom The 9th annual TBS blues series would be impossible: The Mortgage Makers, The Sackville Save Easy, The Sackville Tribue Post, Ove Samuelson Law Office, George’s Roadhouse, Rod Allen Co. Ltd., the Marshlands Inn, The Argosy and CHMA.

For more on the band please visit: http://www.myspace.com/andrewjrboyjones
For our website, please visit: http://www.mta.ca/tbs
For our out of town friends, you can buy your tickets by phone by calling Ducky’s at (506)536-1344.

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Travis Tritt

Country Music Star Travis Tritt will give a concert in Moncton this July 20^th! This must-see show for all country music lovers will take place at the brand new Casino New Brunswick located at 2570 Mountain Road in Moncton. Tickets on sale at www.casinonb.ca.

Over the course of his 15-year career, this Georgian native has delighted fans and disarmed critics by exploring his deep love of hardcore country, flashing an ability and affinity for bluegrass, revealing unexpected sensitivity as a balladeer, winning respect as a formidable songwriter and, most emphatically, drawing widespread recognition as one of the greatest vocalists this genre has ever known.

The Travis Tritt concert in Moncton is produced by Martin-Denis Productions. The show will start at 8:30 pm and doors open at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $47.50 (plus tax and box office fees) and $58.50 (plus tax and box office fees).

Details on the show at www.casinonb.ca while information on the artist can be found at www.travistritt.com.

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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 .

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Komitas

The Moncton Armenian Festival will hold its third edition, from the 26^th to the 29^th of November 2009. On the menu: exhibitions, films, concerts, music, dance, storytelling, workshops, multiple ways to discover this nation with its rich and eventful past.

For this edition, the festival will pay tribute to the great composer and poet, Komitas, who would have celebrated his 140^th birthday this year. In addition to having had a significant impact on the Armenian musical art, he was also a prolific ethnographer, folklorist and musicologist.

The festival will be highlighted by an opening-show, starting at 6 pm, on Thursday, November 26, at the Galerie d’art Louise-et-Reuben-Cohen of the Université de Moncton. Two exhibitions are on display: a photo exhibition dedicated to Komitas, sent by the Armenian Music Scientific Library and an exhibition of 14 paintings titled Komitas –Homage to a legend made by the great English painter of Armenian descent, Edman O’Aivazian. The works will be unveiled to the music of Komitas performed by Hampic Djabourian (duduk), Dariush Zarbafian (santur). Maral Perk, from Halifax, will sing accompanied by dance performances by Lee Saunders and Sylvia Kasparian. The evening will resume with the showing of Komitas, a film by Don Askarian: a hauntingly poetic fiction dedicated to the composer.

On Friday, November 27, at 8 pm at the Capitol Theater, a colourful evening will feature Canadian soprano of international renown, Isabel Bayrakdarian. She will be accompanied by the Amici Chamber Ensemble of Toronto and the pianist Serouj Kradjian. Ms. Bayrakdian, of Armenian origin, played on the biggest stages in the world: the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House, La Scala, Opéra National de Paris, just to name a few. This concert will be a unique opportunity to see and hear this wonderful soprano who will be on her first visit to Moncton. In addition, two masters of Russian ballet, Ilshat Farjutdinov and Elena Kinozerova, will perform five dances by Komitas played on the piano by Serouj Keradjian. The first part of the evening will feature a variety of specialists who will present the life and work of Komitas. These presentations will be interspersed with traditional dances and music: three solo folk dancers of the troop Garni, from Montreal, and Dariush Zarbafian, an Iranian musician. Tickets are available at the box office at the Capitol Theater.

On November 28, at 8 pm, there will be a concert of liturgical songs composed by Komitas, given by the Arahet Quartet from Montreal with special guests: the soprano Lisa Roy, the Chœur Beauséjour and Hampic Djabourian (duduk). The event will be held at the St. Andrews Presbyterian Church on Park Street in Moncton. Tickets will be on sale at the door at the prices of $8 for students and 18 $ for adults.

In addition to the opening film, the festival will also present two other films: Vodka Lemon by Hiner Saleem, on November 28 and Army of Crime by Robert Guédiguian, on November 29. Both projections are presented at 2 pm in the Jacqueline Bouchard Building on the campus of the Université de Moncton. Admission is free.

A Master class titled “Introducing Gomidas songs” will be given by a voice professor, Hasmig Inkijikian, who is also an ethnomusicologist and the coordinator of the Voice department at the Conservatory of Music of McGill University. This will take place in the Faculty of Arts at the Local 001B in the Music department of the Université de Moncton, at 2:30 PM.

In addition to these artistic events, the festival is also an opportunity to learn about the history of the Armenian people. The exhibition “Regards sur l’art et la musique arménienne : Hommage au compositeur Komitas/Gomidas ” will be on display at the Bibliothèque Champlain of the Université de Moncton from November 21st to December 1st.

And there will be a presentation of a conference titled “Un crime indicible : le récit du génocide arménien et la presse francophone (1915-1920)” as part of the Midis politiques of the department of Political Sciences at the Université de Moncton on November 18 at 12 pm in room 206 of the Faculté des Arts. This activity, co-organized with the Department of Political Sciences of the Université de Moncton, will be presented in French.

The Maritimes Armenian Association regroups more than 200 families across New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.

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“Much more than a working event for the cultural industry, the FrancoFête en Acadie is the ideal occasion to discover the best in francophone talent from the Atlantic Provinces and elsewhere in music, dance, theater, etc., explains France H. Levesque, Chair of the FrancoFête en Acadie. It is an extraordinary event showcasing the vitality and the creativity of our artists and a unique rendezvous during which we can honour the work and efforts of our colleagues and all those who evolve in the world of creation and distribution.”

The official opening of the FrancoFête en Acadie will take place on Wednesday November 4^th from 5 pm to 7 pm in the event headquarters at the Crowne Plaza. CBC French radio host on Espace Music, Monique Giroux, will be hosting her show live on site. The event is open to the public.

Colourful events, concerts for all
The SOCAN Singer Songwriter Circle is always a much anticipated evening during the FrancoFête en Acadie, a night filled with wonderful discoveries. This year, the circle will be hosted by Quebec star Boom Desjardins and take place at the Capitol Theatre on Thursday November 5^th. Guest artists are: Wilfred Le Bouthillier, violinist Louise Vautour, and Montreal rising star Amylie; taking turns, they will interpret their compositions and speak of their inspirations with the host.

Music, dance, theater, variety, the public will have the chance to discover artists of various domains, some with a great baggage of experience and others who are just starting out in the industry. The showcases will take place from Thursday November 5^th to Saturday November 7^th at the Capitol Theater, the Empress theatre and the Jeanne-de-Valois concert hall on U de M campus. Artists featured in this 13^th edition of the FrancoFête are: Lennie Gallant, Annie Blanchard, Marie-Philippe Bergeron, Danny Boudreau, Sandra Le Couteur, Norbert Pignol, Geneviève Toupin, Pascal Lejeune, Tricia Foster, Guillaume Arsenault, Denis Landry, Chloé Lacasse, Suroît, and Nathalie Choquette as well as Marie-Ève Janvier and Jean-François Breau, Kirbo, Bia, Mathieu Lippé, Bam, Galant tu perds ton temps, Gaële, David Marin, and Misteur Valaire.

In October 2009, two more artists, one from the ROSEQ and one from the Contact Ouest, will be selected to take part in the FrancoFête. Dance and theater fans will have the opportunity to catch highlights of shows by Théâtre la catapulte (winner of the Acadie/Ontario Prize) and dance companies DansEncorps and Destins croisés.

On Friday November 6^th at noon, showcases will feature theater and storytelling with le Théâtre populaire d’Acadie, le théâtre l’Escaouette, les Productions L’Entrepôt, and Marie-France Comeau. They will show highlights of their projects for the next season to be presented in the schools. These showcases are reseved for the delegates of the FrancoFête en Acadie.

On Friday November 6^th kids will have the chance to see various acts on stage: Nuages en pantaloon (winner of the Acadie/Rideau Prize), Le moulin à musique, and a presentation by Solaris Production. High school kids will have the chance to take in Créason, Ariel Ifergan, and the dance company Destins croisés. All the showcases for the young public are to take place at the Jeanne-de-Valois concert room on the Université de Moncton campus and are free of charge. However, seats are limited.

This year, two concerts from the Coup de coeur francophone will make a stop in Moncton during the FrancoFête. New Brunswick born Fredric Gary Comeau will be on stage Wednesday November 4^th at 8:30 pm on the Capitol Theater stage. On Sunday November 8^th, discover artists from every Canadian province with the evening Les rencontres qui chantent at 8:30 pm also at the Capitol Theater.

For a fourth consecutive year, the FrancoFête en Acadie presents the Oiseaux de nuit concert series, from Thursday November 5^th to Saturday November 7^th. Artists from the Atlantic Provinces and all over will be playing in various downtown Moncton bars for the public and FrancoFête delegates starting at 11 pm. Locations include the Paramount, Manhattan, and Studio 700. More details to come on the FrancoFête website.

Tickets for the FrancoFête en Acadie can be bought in the Greater Moncton Ticket Network: Capitol Theater, théâtre l’Escaouette, Université de Moncton Student Centre, and Frank’s Music, by phone at 506.856.4379 or 1.800.567.1922 or by Internet at www.admission.com. Tickets will also be on sale at the door on the evening of the shows (if still available). Tickets for the 13^th edition of the FrancoFête en Acadie will be on sale this Friday September 18^th 2009.

The FrancoFête en Acadie is an annual event coordinated by the Réseau atlantique de diffusion des arts de la scène (RADARTS). It is one of the most important francophone cultural events in Atlantic Canada dedicated entirely to the promotion of the francophone and Acadian art scene.  All the information on the FrancoFête en Acadie 2009 and its activities is available at www.francofete.com.

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Performance Schedule
Curtains will rise for this exciting season of entertainment on October 21, featuring Uzume Taiko, Canada’s premiere professional taiko drumming group. The second show of the season on November 13 stars the critically acclaimed and multi-talened songwriter and singer Lennie Gallant. The series continues on February 4, 2010 with the appearance of Montreal’s beloved band United Steel Workers of Montreal, followed by The McDades, on March 26, 2010. The Juno award winning group is sure to be a crowd favorite with their Celtic-rooted and jazz-infused, cutting-edge sound. Last, but certainly not least, is the Men of the Deeps, Cape Breton’s world renowned choir of working and retired coal miners, who will bring the season to a dramatic close on April 18, 2010.

Ticket Information
All shows are held at the Carleton North High Theatre in Bristol and begin at 8 p.m. CV Arts season passes are the lowest in Canada! Just $75 will admit you to five fantastic shows, with discounts for seniors and students. For more information on the 2009-10 season visit www.cvarts.ca

About CV Arts
CV Arts has a long and proud history of bringing Canada’s top talents to Carleton and Victoria stages, dating back to 1979 when it presented its first performance by The Canadian Brass. CV Arts is one of the few remaining volunteer arts councils in Atlantic Canada. In 2007, the arts council received the Community Presenter’s Award at Contact East, given in recognition of excellence and acheivement by a volunteer organization for its presentation of touring performances, programming and contribution to community life.

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This year’s finalists are Fredericton’s Sleepy Driver, Weak Size Fish and Becca DeHaan & the Love Me Three Times Band, Babette Hayward from Quispamsis, and Jens Jeppesen from New Denmark.

This year, the Galaxie Rising Star Showcase will return to the Festival line-up. On Friday, September 18th at 2pm the finalists will take the stage at Dolan’s Pub, where they will be judged on their talent, originality and stage presence by a panel of music industry experts, as well as through audience and online voting through the CBC website.

The showcase is sure to be a tight competition, as all five finalists are known for their high-quality musicianship. The winner will receive a cash prize of $2000, a Friday pass to Harvest, a feature on CBC’s Galaxie website, and in all promotional literature for the Rising Star program.

“Supporting the New Brunswick music scene has always been important to the Festival, as local musicians make up 35% of our programming,” says Brent Staeben, Music Director for the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival. “Galaxie has always given the finalists valuable promotion, and since bringing the Rising Star Showcase back to Harvest week this year, that is now truer than ever. We couldn’t be happier to offer this kind of exposure and support to such talented artists.”

CBC’s Galaxie radio also champions Canadian talent by supporting the development and promotion of new musicians. Launched in 1998, the Galaxie Rising Stars program is committed to recognizing, encouraging and contributing cash awards to Canada’s up-and-coming stars. To this day, over 700 artists have benefited from the program.

“We share a deep sense of passion for music with our partners, so we do what we can to foster the talent of Canadian artists on the rise,” says Louis Bellavance, who heads up the showcase on behalf of Galaxie. “Being named a Rising Star is a mark of respect and recognition for the artists. And for Galaxie, it is our way of showing how proud we are of the wealth of talent found in our country.”

More about each finalist:

Sleepy Driver
The formation of this Fredericton band was purely accidental, according to singer-songwriter Peter Hicks, who found himself with a number of songs he’d written with recurring themes in the deeply personal lyrics of hard lessons, life and death, love and leaving, murder and betrayal that didn’t exactly fit his other musical projects. To showcase this different musical direction, Hicks formed Sleepy Driver with Barry Hughes, John Heinstein, Mike Hatheway, and Ethan Young-Lai, whose collective sound proved to serve as the perfect vehicle for the music. With the recent release of their debut album, Steady Now, Sleepy Driver has created an alternative roots rock that is dark yet optimistic, gritty and honest with a healthy respect for tradition, full of dynamics, subtlety and noise.

Weak Size Fish
Formed in 2005 as an acoustic trio, Fredericton’s Weak Size Fish has since developed into a six-piece group that is comprised of Nick Mazerolle, Matthew Bernard, Mitchell Bernard, Steve MacMillan, Andrew Thomson, and Greg Profit. Fusing rock and reggae, they create a high energy, body moving sound that keeps listeners wanting more. Their powerful stage presence has continuously helped to expand their fan base across a variety of provinces and cities. Now, on the heels of the release of their first studio album, Off We Go, Weak Size Fish is ready to keep the momentum going and take it to the next level.

Babette Hayward
Relatively new to the East Coast music scene, 19-year-old Babette Hayward is already making her mark with her delicate folk style. Playing a slew of festivals and shows this year, Babette has been featured as both a solo artist – with nothing but her guitar, glockenspiel and sweet singing voice – and in collaboration with several other East Coast artists, where this multi-talented musician sings back up, plays flute and a variety of percussion instruments. Although she only began writing music in the winter of 2008, this ambitious young artist has already recorded her first original EP, which will be released this fall.

Jens Jeppesen
Jens Jeppesen is a man with a vision, having worked on an ambitious trilogy of “bluegrass hybrid” albums for nearly three years. With the third and final album, Time Alone, currently being recorded, his vision – to show the stylistic progression of an artist over time – is finally about to be realized. A unique storyteller with smooth vocals and lightening-quick guitar, he aspires to refine the music that he loves in his recordings without losing the edge, the energy, the intensity or the excitement that he captivates audiences with on stage. With his albums already being sold nationally, Jens goal is to have a national stage to share his music live as well.

Becca DeHaan & the Love Me Three Times Band
Accomplished pianist and singer Becca DeHaan has been writing and performing songs for over a decade and recently formed this new musical project with a compliment of other locally-known artists, including veteran Fredericton pianist Patrick Flanaghan, Agnes Flanaghan, fiddler Sophie Flanaghan and percussionist Matt Fitzgerald (also of popular reggae ensemble, Dub Antenna). Becca is currently working on her debut album The Dawn of Midnight, which is slated for release later this year.

The Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival runs September 15-20 in Fredericton, NB. For more information visit www.harvestjazzandblues.com

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Matt Minglewood & Rik Reese

ECMA recording artist, Rik Reese, and his band Neon Highway, have done it again!

In a few short months after releasing his album titled, Mama Raised a Good Boy, Reese and his band have opened for The Kentucky Headhunters, Julian Austin, Blue Rodeo, George Canyon, The Divorcees, 1755, and most recently Matt Minglewood.

“This debut album by Rik Reese should quickly put the Moncton, New Brunswick-based singer/ songwriter in the national spotlight. The album is jam-packed with top notch tunes all written by Reese,” says Larry Delaney of Country Music News.

“Having heard many Canadian artists before, Rik Reese has to be one of the best emerging from our Commonwealth neighbour,”  says Russell Hill of Maverick Magazine in the UK.

“Considering Matt Minglewood was my first live concert that I saw as a youngster, it’s a great honour to now open for the legendary Maritime artist,” Reese said.

The memorable show took place on Aug 8-2009 in Saint John, NB as part of the Fundy Bay Festival.

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