La Slague celebrates its 60th anniversary as one of Sudbury's premier music venues. Founded in April 1963 by the Centre des jeunes de Sudbury, La Slague initially served as a "boîte à chanson" and hosted legendary artists such as Félix Leclerc and Jean-Pierre Ferland.
La Slague is currently in its 17th season of programming titled "Out of the Beaten Path," which includes two festivals per year and 14 to 20 shows annually. It has also sponsored new projects and supported emerging Franco-Ontarian artists. The organization owes its success to its various partners, media and community partners especially, who have been instrumental in helping to bring quality programming to the Sudbury community.
One of La Slague's signature events is the Nuit émergente, which promotes emerging francophone artists nationwide. The festival has been running for ten years and features artists from Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and the Maritimes. This year the 9th Nuit émergente is a highly significant event as it celebrates emerging francophone artists across Canada. It has been running for ten years and nine editions, making it a well-established platform for promoting new and emerging talent. The festival's unique "choose your own adventure" format allows for a personalized and immersive experience for each spectator. It is also the only francophone festival of its kind in Sudbury, making it a vital cultural event for the community. Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival is back this year, promising to offer the same exciting formula as before, with artists playing in various spots of the venue and spectators deciding which shows to see. With the added attraction of the new Place des Arts in downtown Sudbury, this year's festival promises to be an unforgettable experience for all attendees.
The event line-up goes as follows:
On Thursday, May 18, 2023, the adventure will begin with the grand finale of Radio-Chaud 2023 at Collège Boréal in collaboration with Conseil scolaire du Grand Nord. Young musicians will have the chance to attend workshops with Étienne Fletcher, one of the artists at The 9th Nuit émergente, during the week of Radio-Chaud!
On Friday, May 19, 2023, head to la Place des Arts for The 9th Nuit émergente: Face A, featuring a double bill of McLean and Étienne Fletcher. This concert event promises to take you on an unforgettable journey with ample and engaging compositions by these talented artists.
And finally, on Saturday, May 20, the big finale of The 9th Nuit émergente: Face B, will take place at la Place des Arts. The lineup includes Joly, Marc-André Labelle, Martine Fortin, Cayenne, Kimya, and Rosie Valland!
La Slague has also been recognized for its contributions to the music industry, receiving numerous awards and distinctions, including the 2017 Trille Or Bâtisseur Finalist from the Association des professionnels de la chanson et de la musique, the 2018 Centre de santé communautaire du Grand Sudbury Excellence in Health Equity Award, and the 2019 Réseau Ontario's Vision-Innovation Award.
La Slague's artistic vision and eclectic programming make it unique, but what sets it apart is its willingness to work with community partners. The venue aims to offer programming that caters to the Sudbury public's tastes and needs, working with groups like the Réseau de soutien à l'immigration francophone du Nord de l'Ontario to bring artists like Kizaba to the Sudbury stage. La Slague is an important musical promoter in our community, and has become a legendary part of the Sudbury community's cultural scene.
For more updates on the event please visit: The 9th Nuit émergente’s Line-Up : A First Announcement! | La Slague
