After two pandemic editions of virtual vigils that do not wear out the soles, Le Vent du Nord and their friends finally invite us, in flesh and blood, to a dancing reunion: next December 30 at the MTelus, until the early morning, will be held the traditional Vigil of two days before, a festival of dances and music from our roots. “And we will not shy away from our pleasure in celebrating both the end of the year of the 20e anniversary of the North Wind and the 25e anniversary of the Vigil in a place that can accommodate a maximum of dancers,” rejoices the composer and violinist Olivier Demers.
Too bad for the viruses, seems to answer him the colleague Nicolas Boulerice: “At the limit, organize a square set for eight people and stay together all evening if you do not want to take risks! The co-founders of Le Vent du Nord are thinking big for this Vigil, at least as big as for that of the twentieth anniversary, also moved from Club Soda to Metropolis, as it was called at the time (and we like it among ourselves yet to call).
The organization of the Vigil is not easy, breathes Nicolas, multi-instrumentalist, singer and composer. “A mix of fun and marathon, he illustrates, since generally, it starts early in the morning to promote, in addition to ensuring the smooth running. We wear many hats. But he prefers to leave the planning of the big banquet to a restaurant friend. Indeed, every year, before the doors open, everyone, guest musicians, technicians, sets up a long table on the floor and shares a meal, “like the banquet of Asterix”, says Nicolas. “There’s also something beautiful about the Vigil: more than an event, it’s an essential meeting for our gang, a meeting. For us, just having dinner together would be enough. »
A long-lasting vigil, it will begin with a show by Dâvi Simard (his most recent album, Fiddler, was nominated for the Félix for Album of the Year – Traditional in 2021), followed by that of Vent du Nord. Biz, Stéphane Archambault and the brass of the Grüv’n Brass will be added to the performances, the author and actor Simon Boulerice will offer the “paternal blessing”, before joining the guys the dance musicians Évelyne Gélinas (from Galant, you lose your time), Carmen Guérard (accordion), Marie-Pierre Lecault, Stéphanie Lépine and Élisabeth Moquin, all three on violins.
“In addition, the dance floor will be substantial, comments Nicolas Boulerice. Usually, at Club Soda, everyone is tight, there’s an atmosphere, but it’s a bit of chaos for the dancers since there isn’t a lot of room. There, at the MTelus, we will have the necessary space. That way, when you start swinging, there’s less risk of breaking your arm! “It is Yaëlle Azoulay, the caller of the evening, who will find her account.
An educational function
President of Traditional Dance Quebec, an association working to defend, promote and develop our popular art, Yaëlle Azoulay learned the call from her mentor, tradition bearer Gérard Morin, a famous caller from Mascouche. “The call is a great way to be in the transmission”, sums up the one who also danced professionally for fifteen years. “When you do trad, it’s also an objective: to perpetuate something, to transmit. The call not only allows me to dance, but also invites people to do the same. It’s a very rhythmic role and focused on music, a vocal art, but also has an educational function. »
Especially in a context like that of the Vigil two days before, where the majority of spectators do not master on their toes the steps of the various jigs, reels, cotillions and contredanses populating our traditional repertoire, explains Yaëlle Azoulay: “In Quebec, the caller has an important function because the dancers no longer know the repertoire so well. It shows, in a Vigil, when the caller knows how to lead the evening well while being a good teacher of traditional dance. »
“Its main function is to teach dances in the context of evening gatherings, but then to bridge the gap between musicians and dancers,” says the folklorist, who worked closely with Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette and Émile Proulx-Cloutier at the conception of their magnificent scenic documentary Not lost. Created last spring at the Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui, the favorite work which questions our relationship to our traditions and awakens our collective memory will be presented in addition from February 24 to March 2, 2023 at the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde.
We just hope that people come out of the Vigil with a heavy heart like that, and with the desire to be a little more interested in this music.
However, “even if you’ve never danced, there’s no problem”, everyone will be welcome, insists Nicolas Boulerice. As proof, “in recent years, we have noticed that more and more young people are taking part, people who do not necessarily have close ties with the bearers of traditions. For one evening, they dive into the pot of magic potion, and it’s beautiful to see. We very quickly grasp the pleasure there is in dancing to this music that resembles us and brings us together, because the fun is also to get in touch with other dancers”.
“We just hope that people come out of the Vigil with a heavy heart like that, and with the desire to take a little more interest in this music,” concludes Olivier Demers.