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Fun en français: La grande St-Jean festival on Elgin St. June 22

Internationally-known musician Corneille headlining festival 
120619_Corneille
Internationally-known musician Corneille is headlining la grande St-Jean on Elgin Street June 22. (Supplied)

La Slague du Carrefour francophone and La St-Jean Sudbury are pleased to unveil the programming of la grande St-Jean, a full-day family festival to be held on Elgin Street in downtown Sudbury 12:30 to 10 p.m. June 22.

Headliners include the internationally renowned singer Corneille, as well as seven Franco-Ontarian female singers under the banner Les Divas du Nord (Divas of the North). 

The St-Jean Family Festival will feature a wide variety of activities, including a traditional call-and-response folk song contest. 

Comedians Nadia Campbell and Olivier Nadon of the improv group Improtéine will serve as emcees. 

All performances and events are free of charge. 

The festival will also mark the official start of construction of Place des Arts du Grand Sudbury, a new building that will soon rise on the corner of Elgin and Larch Streets. 

On June 22, Elgin Street will be closed between the Durham Street inukshuk and Medina Lane to accommodate a large outdoor stage. 

Food and beverages will be available on site. Sudbury’s 2019 St-Jean Day festivities will be broadcast live across Canada by the UNIS TV.

Schedule of events:

St-Jean Family Day – 12:30 to 4 p.m. 

This year’s traditional St-Jean Family Day will be held on Elgin Street, featuring the children’s performer Ariane DesLions and her “musical hardware,” as well as many more activities and community kiosks. 

Ariane DesLions – side stage – 1-1:45 p.m.

Ariane’s tool chest contains all kinds of fun for children! Her “musical hardware” includes guitar, vocals, ukulele, bells, cajon, body percussion, piano, accordion and they all inspire children to sing out who they are and make the world a better place. 

The CFOF’s call-and-response song contest — 5-7 p.m.

Experience the vocal traditions of Northern Ontario and the wide world beyond in a spirit of inclusiveness. Bring your singing voice and your rhythm spoons and you’re sure to have fun. Festival-goers are invited to contact the CFOF to enter the contest.  

La Slague’s 14th season announcement – side stage – 7-7:30 p.m.

The St-Jean Day festival gives La Slague the perfect opportunity to unveil its 14th season of concerts and performances. Be first to know which big names and rising stars will be visiting Sudbury in 2019-2020. Pick up a season pass or a series pass for big savings and the privilege of reserving the best seats in the house. 

Les Divas du Nord – main stage – 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Seven unique, remarkable, Northern Ontario female voices melt hearts and unleash emotions as they share their original songs and tributes to hits from the Franco-Ontarian repertoire, magnificently orchestrated by a house band of 14 Northern Ontario musicians. The Northern Divas are: Cindy Doire, Tricia Foster, Meagan Bigras, Marie Claire Cronier, Joelle Villeneuve, Rache Barber and Martine Fortin.

Corneille – main stage – 8:30 to 10 p.m.

On stage with his touring band, the internationally-renowned artist will perform songs from his latest albums, Parce qu’on aime and Love & Soul in styles ranging from funk and soul to rhythm & blues. This outstanding performance is not to be missed. 

Improtéine 

Stage hosts of la Grande St-Jean For 15 years, this group of comedians from the Ottawa area has performed across Canada with its hilarious brand of theatrical and musical improvisation. These top-notch Franco-Ontarian performers can do it all: sketch comedy, songs, ridiculous situations, all invented on the spot before your eyes!

UNIS TV live broadcast 

The event is produced by Les Productions Rivard and will be broadcast live on www.unis.ca. The concert will be packaged for the UNIS TV cable channel and the Canadian Foundation for Cross-Cultural Dialogue. 


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