What's On

Festival Du Bois 2024

2024/02/21 (Wednesday)

The 35th Anniversary

FESTIVAL DU BOIS

Friday night to Sunday - March 8, 9, 10, 2024

Mackin Park, Maillardville/Coquitlam

1046 Brunette Avenue (across Lougheed Highway from IKEA)

Tickets: Friday night: FREE |Saturday & Sunday: Adults $33.50, Students/Seniors $23, Kids 5-12 years $10, Families (2 adults, 2 kids) $75 per day | Kids 5 and under FREE

 

www.festivaldubois.ca

Put on something plaid, grab your pals and say “bonjour!” to Festival du Bois, March 8-10 in Maillardville/Coquitlam’s Mackin Park. Expect a rich diversity of amazing music and dance, fabulous food, fun on-site activities and a warm and welcoming atmosphere as the festival celebrates its 35th Anniversary in the cradle of francophone culture in BC. Come experience the Maillardville community’s rich roots and traditions – and enjoy a taste of the past, present and future of francophone music.

 

It all starts Friday night, March 8 with Podorythmie’s music and dance, followed by a “called” contradance with the Sybaritic String Band and caller Maureen Collier. Everyone of every age is invited to come, dance up a storm and stir up some fun - admission is FREE.

 

The celebration continues on both Saturday and Sunday (March 9 & 10) with concerts by festival artists in the licensed Grand Chapiteau (Big Tent), shows in the Petit Chapiteau - offering exciting performances for kids, the showcase of Métis culture and history in The Métis Village Experience, and from engaging performers roving the site. Nearby Mackin House welcomes festival attendees to workshops presented by a variety of festival artists throughout the weekend.

See the full performance schedule: https://www.festivaldubois.ca/festival-schedule-2024/

 

Artistic Director, Joanne Dumas says: “This year, Festival du Bois celebrates the history and culture of the community of Maillardville - and 35 years of showcasing great francophone music and culture that spans geography, traditions, cultures and genres.  In recognition of the 2024 Acadian Congress (a gathering of the Acadian Diaspora that occurs only every five years - this year in SW Nova Scotia), we’ll shine a spotlight on the grand Acadian music tradition – presenting some of its finest artists. Our 2024 lineup welcomes amazing musicians from New Brunswick, PEI, Quebec, Washington State – and from right here in BC. And we’re thrilled to again partner with the North Fraser Métis Association for the Métis Village Experience (maarsii!). Folks from every language and background are invited to come join the friendly, happy festival crowds on site. There’s so much to discover and enjoy. Bienvenue!”


The Metis Jiggers
 
The North Shore Celtic Ensemble
 
Robin Layne and the Rhythm Makers

Artists Performing on the Grand Chapiteau’s Main Stage

 

La Famille LeBlanc (NB)

The celebrated LeBlanc clan has been a musical family for at least 6 generations. They perform lively 19th Century tunes deeply rooted in Celtic and Acadian traditions.

 

Vishtèn Connexions (PEI)

Emmanuelle LeBlanc and Pascal Miousse, two brilliant multi-instrumentalists and ambassadors for Francophone culture, arrange traditional Acadian songs in a wholly unique and captivating way.

 

Collage Trad (BC)

A dynamic musical melting pot of fiddle traditions mixed with swing, jazz, a touch of rock, folk - and pure energy featuring six Western Canadian music virtuosos.

 

The North Shore Celtic Ensemble (BC)

This dynamic community of young musicians from North Vancouver performs original compositions that draw on Celtic, classical, jazz and folk influences blended with creative arrangements of more traditional Celtic tunes.

 

La Famille Léger (WA)

La Famille Léger is an old-school family band that plays Acadian and French-Canadian tunes - great music from the backwoods and kitchen parties of Québec and New Brunswick.

 

Podorythmie (Pacific NW)

The Podorythmie gals are known for their high-energy, good-time performances of French Canadian music and step-dance interspersed with crankie (moving panorama) shows - making their performances unique.

 

The Métis Jiggers (BC)

These artists presenting a lively combination of First Nations, Scottish and French-Canadian fiddle and dance.

 

Robin Layne & The Rhythm Makers (BC)

With roots in rhythmic traditions from around the globe, this groove-heavy ensemble delivers music that blurs the lines between jazz and folk, and carves new territory for the marimba.

 

And coming to the Children’s Tent (Petit Chapiteau)

Children of all ages are welcome to thrill to the likes of the popular Will’s Jams, vibrant femcee Missy D, Monsieur Andre’ and his songs from the great French Canadian songbook, storyteller Lyne Chartier, the antics of Marieclown, and La Famille Leger.

 

Look for Isabelle Kirouac (Mme LaLune) and Daniéle and Michelle as they bring the fun, frolic and fancy to the festival site.

 

Around the park, festival-goers can enjoy a variety of delicious food and drink options including maple taffy on snow in Cabane à Sucre André Beauregard Sugar Shack, traditional poutine, sugar pie, and a range of cuisine traditionnelle dishes – and much more. There’s a Jam Tent where musicians gather to play, lots of great shopping and interesting exhibit booths to visit as well.

 

Festival du Bois is musically awesome, fun, affordable, and family-friendly. Everyone is invited to share in the 35th anniversary celebrations.

 

Tickets (online and at the gate)

Friday night, March 8– Free (register online)

Saturday, March 9 & Sunday, March 10 (general admission).

Adults (18+): $32.50 per day | Students & Seniors: $23 per day | Kids 5 - 12 years: $10 per day

Children under 5 years are free.

Family package: $75/day (2 adults, 2 kids)

Sunday morning breakfast tickets available at the gate only: $10 adults / $5 children

 

Festival schedules, full info and tickets: www.festivaldubois.ca

General info: 604-515-7070 / info@maillardville.com.

 

 

Festival du Bois is produced by the Société francophone de Maillardville.