It’s the end of an era for the traditional Refuge Show. Singer Dan Bigras announced Thursday that the 32e edition, which will take place in October, will be his last as mastermind of the event.
In interview at To have to, Dan Bigras confided that he had been toying with this idea for several years, but he was constantly pushing back the date of his departure. It was finally last March that he let Refuge des jeunes know that this would be his last year as the organization’s spokesperson and great conductor of his beneficial show.
“I feel a bit like when you leave a blonde you still love. The Refuge Show is a big part of my life and I still love doing it. But at 64, anxiety is starting to eat away at me. It was the decision to make and I will not go back, ”assures the interpreter of Kill mewho undoubtedly battled cancer and survived a serious mountain biking accident in recent years.
The singer says he wants to live life to the fullest while he’s healthy. He indicates that he will continue, if necessary, to act as a consultant for the Refuge des jeunes, without however “playing the mothers-in-law”. He hopes that younger people will take over, but he recognizes that the capture of the Refuge Show for television could however end with his departure.
“Radio-Canada has given us complete freedom over the years. But we never had a long-term contract. We renewed from year to year. Once I have resigned, it is difficult for Radio-Canada to renew the Show du refuge, because they receive offers from many other very noble causes. And Radio-Canada, as a public broadcaster, does not have a mandate to associate itself with beneficial events,” points out Dan Bigras. Nevertheless, he considers that he is leaving an organization in good financial health, which gives the Refuge des jeunes “a couple of years” to find a new formula.
Certainly the 32e edition of the event will take place on October 13 at La Tohu and will be broadcast in December on Radio-Canada. In addition to Dan Bigras, the show will bring together on stage Ginette Reno, Samian, Luce Dufault, Isabelle Boulay and Marie-Nicole Lemieux, among others.
Irreplaceable
This flagship event, in which nearly all the big names in Quebec music of the last thirty years have participated, now represents 25% of the operating budget of the Refuge des Jeunes. The organization, which helps young men experiencing homelessness, wants to be reassuring, however, and ensures that the departure of Dan Bigras does not jeopardize his survival.
“We are not in danger, but we are entering an important passage. Even if we knew it since March, it’s a sad day and we have to mourn. Dan was so associated with the cause that it is certain that we will not be able to replace him”, agrees France Labelle, the general manager of the refuge.
Could the organization stop organizing the Refuge Show and turn to another means of financing? All options will be on the table after the show in October, suggests France Labelle.