Franco Festival on next weekend in Charlottetown
La Coopérative d’Intégration Francophone (CIF) and Le Carrefour de l’Isle-Saint-Jean are ready to present the second annual Franco Festival, a multicultural arts and music celebration. Events will be held at Le Carrefour de l’Isle-Saint-Jean, Saturday, Sept. 9, starting at 7 p.m. and continue Sunday on Victoria Row, starting at 1 p.m. Admission is free at both events.
This year, the festival features an impressive lineup of local and Canadian artists, ranging from singing sensation MarieÈve Lapierre, 2016 quarterfinalist on the popular Québec television show
“La Voix;” Montreal-based world music group Africa Vibes with their infectious blend of Haitian, African and Latin rhythms; and Acadian fiddle virtuoso Louise Arsenault, accompanied by Hélène Bergeron and Jonathan Arsenault; to Michael Pendergast and his songs for young and old. Things get underway, Saturday evening, when Lapierre, Africa Vibes and a special local guest artist perform at Le Carrefour de l’Isle-Saint-Jean. Sunday afternoon, on Victoria Row, these performers will be joined by a number of other acts as part of a seven-show extravaganza which will showcase a variety of francophone music from around the world.
Other activities will include
balloon sculpting, a magic show, a photo booth and facepainting and Henne workshops. Jacinthe Lemire, executive director of CIF, says, “Franco Festival is an occasion for francophones and anyone interested in French music and culture from across the province to gather in downtown Charlottetown and celebrate the rich diversity of the francophone music world.”
For complete program details, check out http:// tonile.ca/fr/, or visit https:// www.facebook.com/ events/138517523414488/.