7 major free shows
20 years young!
Montreal, Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - You only turn 20 once-and that momentous birthday is the perfect occasion to let loose and celebrate, the Francos way! With that playful purpose in mind, the FrancoFolies de Montréal will stage 7 free major shows for this 20th edition, presented by Ford Canada in collaboration with Molson Dry, from Thursday, July 24 to Sunday, August 3, 2008. You’ll recognize the singular artistic signature of the Francos: creating one-night happenings-unique artistic pairings, visionary remakes of classic songbooks-that last forever in our memories.
The Hydro‑Québec Grande fête multiculturelle: around the world, in one show
A charismatic singer born for the stage, Quebec’s Marco Calliari leads this musical voyage, accompanied by first-class shipmates: Ima, the refreshing new Acadian darling of Quebec music fans; Paul Cargnello, whose urban, sensitive folk-rock earned a nomination for the Prix Félix‑Leclerc last year; Samian, the first ever French-Algonquin rapper and a young protégé of Loco Locass; Yves Lambert, former member of the famed Bottine Souriante; the socially conscious artiste engagé Tomás Jensen; and Algeria’s Nedjim Bouizzoul, charismatic singer-songwriter from the group Labess. They’ll be supported by a 7-piece house band featuring surprise guests. It’s a celebration of musical and cultural diversity! Stage direction: Pierre Boileau. Musical direction: Lysandre Champagne. Broadcast exclusively on TV5 Québec-Canada. Thursday, July 24, 9 p.m., Espace Ford Stage.
The SIRIUS Radio Satellite Événement spécial: a symphonic Michel Rivard
For 30 years, he’s been a sure thing: hand Michel Rivard a guitar, and the masterpieces flow! After a career’s worth of triumphs, this modern poet-one of Quebec’s most cherished native sons-takes a look back, revisiting classics from his songbook in completely new and superb arrangements by Blair Thompson, accompanied by 61 members of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, under the direction of Jean‑François Rivest. Monday, July 28, 9 p.m., Espace Ford Stage.
The Loto‑Québec Grand rendez-vous with Gregory Charles
Soul and groove-en français? It’s a rendezvous! The Francos site becomes a gigantic dancefloor when Gregory Charles, THE ideal man for an evening of passion, brings us the full spectrum of his musical talent! Welcoming surprise guests, Charles showcases soul and groove hits, new and old, that conquered the francophone audience! Given the man’s mastery of a crowd-and crowd participation!-we can expect a performance with the intensity and pleasure turned up to 11! Broadcast exclusively on TV5 Québec-Canada. Saturday, August 2, 9 p.m., Espace Ford Stage.
The Ford Closing Party:
make way for the new generation on Sunday, August 3
20 years old… and ready to roll!
Welcome the standard-bearers of a promising new generation! The evening opens with the seductive pop of Alexandre Désilets, an artistic revelation already making his second Francos appearance: his album Escalader l’ivresse showcases a fabulous voice-reminding some listeners of Thom Yorke-and a contemporary, British sound and sensibility. Then, appearing at his 4th Francos, Gatineau offers us another typically passionate, theatrical performance, featuring deconstructed hip hop, rock and electronica. Follow that up with Karkwa, making their first and highly anticipated Montreal appearance since the release of the Le Volume du vent album. This will also mark a 4th Francos for the mighty Karkwa! To close up the evening with a bang, the five compadres of Malajube make their own 4th Francos date, unveiling some of the new unreleased songs due on their upcoming album expected later this year. With each band playing a full set, this is certain to be an unforgettable event, not to mention a sign of all the great Francos years to come! Complete or partial broadcast on Radio-Canada, TV5 and ARTV. Sunday, August 3, 6 p.m., on the stage at the corner of Clark St. and De Montigny St.
Diane Dufresne - Terre planète bleue
The Québécoise diva gathers a proud cadre of Quebecois artists and activists devoted to the future of Planet Earth: Michel Rivard, Richard Séguin, Daniel Lavoie, Michel Pagliaro, Élisapie Isaac, mission leader, renegade biologist and filmmaker Jean Lemire, and, appearing on video, astrophysicist Hubert Reeves. This hymn to the planet-conceived, staged and hosted by Diane Dufresne-presents a marriage of musics and artistic disciplines, blending a rainbow of cultures. Broadcast exclusively on TV5 Québec-Canada. Sunday, August 3, 9 p.m., Espace Ford Stage. Guy Caron handles stage direction alongside Diane Dufresne.
… and that’s not all!
Les Petites Tounes… make a big splash!
It’s a surprise for the little ones! With the Événement 20e anniversaire le Lait pour toute la famille, the Francos have their first major show especially for children! The kids will be thrilled to meet their pals in Petites Tounes-THE children’s rock group for the last 13 years!-who’ve gathered a flock of friends including Damien Robitaille, Mara Tremblay, Shilvi, Mon ami Benoît, Tomás Jensen, Kumpa’nia, Mario Légaré, Cello and the Troupe de Gumboot, for a show conceived especially for the Francos! Saturday, July 26, 2:30 p.m., Espace Ford Stage. Don’t forget the sunblock!
À propos de nos 20 ans…
Jim Corcoran hosts À Propos, a weekly radio program featuring francophone songs on CBC Radio One. Two solitudes? Not on these airwaves, and the show has been going strong for 20 years! More of a friendly hangout than an interview, the program showcases our artists and encourages them to create new work in public. With À propos de nos 20 ans, Jim Corcoran brings the formula to the stage with appearances by his friends Karkwa, Michel Rivard, Marie-Jo Thério, Jérôme Minière, René Lussier, Marie‑Pierre Fournier, Geneviève Paris and Bernard Falaise. It’s a free indoor show! Recorded in English for live broadcast on CBC Radio One. À propos de nos 20 ans, Tendances Vidéotron, Club Soda, Thursday, July 24, 7 p.m. Free admission with presentation of a ticket (available now at the Métropolis box office).
Get all the info about the Francos
The free official Francos brochure offers all the necessary information on the indoor program of this 20th edition of the FrancoFolies de Montréal, with 175,000 copies now available in venues and most record stores, bookshops public areas and major businesses in downtown Montreal. Outside of the metropolitan area, fans can order a free copy by mail. Fans can also call the Info‑Francos Vidéotron line at 514-876‑8989 or toll-free at 1-888-444‑9114, or visit francofolies.com. To get the jump on the rest of the FrancoFans, sign up for the Infolettre Spectra and have all the info on this 20th edition sent right to your inbox.
We hope to see you at the 20th edition of the FrancoFolies de Montréal, from Thursday, July 24 to Sunday, August 3, 2008.
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