Festival Artists 2017

Festival du Bois is pleased to present a variety of amazing artists from near and far to entertain you over the Festival weekend. Whether it’s under the Big Tent (Grand chapiteau), the Children’s Tent (Petit chapiteau) or the Workshop Tent, there is something for everyone, large and small. For an even more intimate setting, join some of our Festival artists in Mackin House. Feel free to dance, stomp your feet or sing along . . . it’s all good!

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Le Bruit court dans la Ville

Three legends of Québec’s traditional music scene – together! Lisa Ornstein, Normand Miron, and André Marchand have helped define this wonderful music for generation. Guitarist/singer André and fiddler Lisa were members of Québec roots supergroup La Bottine Souriante. Button-accordionist/singer Normand and André were band mates in the amazing a capella trad band, Les Charbonniers de l’enfer (The Coalmen from Hell), among other collaborations. Individually they each exemplify the definition of “master.” Together, they are a force of nature.

Réveillons!

Simmered in the rich stew of Québec tradition, this quartet’s music will wake you up and feed your spirit! Playing jigs, reels, French songs and step dances, every RéVeillons! concert gathers up choice tunes from varied eras and serves them up with a heady joie de vivre. Band members are virtuoso musicians, singers, callers, and dancers: Jean-François Berthiaume (vocals, step dance, foot rhythms, percussion), brother David Berthiaume (voice, guimbarde, concertina), Richard Forest on fiddle, and André Gagné (guitar, banjo, vocals).

MAZ

MAZ invites you to hop on a wild flying canoe to a world of original compositions, starting with traditional Québécois music, then traveling through the depths of modal jazz into trance-inducing modern grooves. It’s a bold assertion of francophone acoustic tradition with an electro edge and intense on-stage energy. Collecting a raft of rave reviews, this trad-mod union features Marc Maziade (electric guitar, banjo, foot percussion, programming), Pierre-Olivier Dufresne (violin, mandolin, foot percussion), Roxane Beaulieu (keyboards), and Mathieu Royer (bass).

Gabriel Dubreuil Trio

We welcome back a talented BC fiddler who wowed us all in 2015. Gabriel Dubreuil is based both in Boston, where he is studying performance at the renowned Berklee College of Music, and Vancouver. With a musical wisdom far beyond his youthful years, he has a diverse repertoire that draws from Irish, Scottish and North American traditions, as well as from jazz. With numerous recording projects and live performances already to his credit, come see this new star on the rise! Gabriel performs as a trio with Jay Knutson and William Ross.

Yoro Noukoussi

Born in North Benin, Africa and chief’s son of the Waama people, this multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter learned the art of storytelling and drumming from his family as they traveled the region sharing their cultural traditions. Now in Canada, Yoro is in great demand as a performer, having mastered the donga (talking drum), kokomba (congas), and djembe. On stage, both solo and with his band, he is a dynamic and mesmerizing performer, drawing you in to the sights, sounds, and rhythms of West Africa.

Danny Boudreau

One of New Brunswick’s biggest stars, Petit Rocher native Danny Boudreau’s 40-year career has garnered a long list of awards and accolades. This prolific Acadian singer-songwriter has toured Europe, Africa, and Québec, enthralling audiences with his rich voice and well-crafted songs. He brings us his Danny Party, playing everything from folk to country, all with a touch of the traditional. Catch Danny accompanied by the magical fiddling of Justin Doucet, John Boulay (guitar), Jesse Mea (piano, accordion), Luc Roy (drums), and Sylvain Doucet (bass).

Sonerion et Les Bretons de Québec

One of the most popular traditional music scenes in western Europe is Fest Noz or Night Party music from Brittany, France. We present North America’s premiere exponents of this genre, Sonerion from Seattle, along with dance leaders Loïc Le Sellin and Marie-Chantal Fortin from Les Bretons de Québec. You can listen and you can dance! Sonerion features the propulsive melodies, powerful instrumentation, and complex arrangements that are the hallmark of fine Breton music. Dance challenged? No problem! The dances will be taught and led by Loïc and Marie-Chantal in a fun, relaxed, don’t-worry-about-making-mistakes atmosphere.

Alouest

Le Bûcheron [Gilbert Parent]

Vazzy

From beautiful ballads and lively humorous songs from the French-Canadian tradition, to toe-tapping French, Celtic, Métis and Canadian fiddle and dance tunes, the duo Vazzy’s repertoire reflects their love of Québécois and Acadian music and all things trad. There’s also with a hint of global influence. Suzanne Leclerc and Bryn Wilkin keep the tradition alive and thriving in Western Canada by sharing these wonderful songs and the stories behind them, so everyone can appreciate and enjoy the language, the music, and the culture.

Jean Pierre Makosso

Roving Performers

Theatre Sports

THE IMPROV LEAGUE
Saturday & Sunday in the Youth Zone

The Franco-Columbian Improvisation League (LIFC) is back for another legendary improv tournament.
This year, teams from six schools: Gabrielle-Roy, Jules-Verne, Anse-au-sable, Victor-Brodeur, Carihi, and Pionniers-de-Maillardville will compete in a number of hilarious improvisations. The players will have to use their imagination, talent, and sense of humour to win you, the audience, over – and garner your votes. The art of good improvisation requires players to think quickly, be creative and cooperate, and have lots of fun. Come watch these young Francophone “actors” at play, and make your choice.

Which team will end up winning the oh-so-coveted LIFC trophy? The answer lies in your hands!