Titled A chance we have, the big show for Quebec’s National Day in Montreal, presented on June 24 at Maisonneuve Park, will be an undisguised tribute to Jean-Pierre Ferland. The shadow of another great singer, Karl Tremblay, of the Cowboys Fringants, will also hang over this evening which will bring together living legends, like Claude Dubois and Patsy Gallant, and young talents, like Éléonore Lagacé and Roxane Bruneau.
“We had already planned to say hello live to Jean-Pierre Ferland to mark his birthday, since he would have turned 90 on June 24. The cuckoo turned into a tribute,” explains director Pierre Séguin. And the title of the show, A chance we have, emerged after the singer’s death on April 27. “A large part of his family will attend the show,” adds the man who was a close friend of the Little King.
As for Karl Tremblay, whose death on November 15, 2023 moved Quebec, the tribute will be of another order, specifies Pierre Séguin. “It will be more linked to the Quebec language, which the Cowboys Fringants have taken everywhere. It will go elsewhere than just singing the most famous songs. »
For the host of the show, Pierre-Yves Lord, these two consecutive collective mournings show to what extent the Saint-Jean shows, “this celebration during which we trip over each other”, are an important moment of communion. “It’s part of the mesh that makes us tight. »
Almost all the artists who will participate in the Maisonneuve Park show were present during the press conference on Tuesday, which is in a way the start of the countdown before the festivities. On June 24, Claude Dubois, Roxane Bruneau, Patsy Gallant, Queenie, Daniel Lavoie, Kanen, Éléonore Lagacé, Judi Richards, FouKi and Le Vent du Nord will share the stage and the songs, under the musical direction of Julie Lamontagne and Tony Albino , with Alexandre Francoeur on choreography.
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PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
Quebec National Day festivities in Montreal will take place this year under the auspices of spokesperson Benoit McGinnis.
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PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
The artists who will participate in the Quebec National Day show in Montreal were revealed on Tuesday.
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PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
Louise Harel, who served from 2016 to 2023 on the board of directors of the National Day Committee, including five as president, received the Artisan prize on Tuesday, in recognition of her exceptional contribution and commitment.
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PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
Host Pierre-Yves Lord, Claude Dubois and Roxane Bruneau
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Pierre Séguin is proud of this wide range of styles and generations. “We cast a wide net! “, he said. Which delights the youngest, like Pierre-Yves Lord, who is “aware of being around history”, and Roxane Bruneau. “It warms my heart to share the stage with such important people in Quebec music,” said the popular singer-songwriter. Judy, Patsy, Claude Dubois, they came to see me earlier, they are super welcoming, super caring. I’m happy to be able to experience this. »
Roxane Bruneau doesn’t know what kind of tribute will be paid to the Cowboys, but during the evening, she will certainly have a thought for Karl Tremblay, her idol. “If I started making music, it’s thanks to the Cowboys Fringants. I’m sure I’ll feel Karl’s presence. »
Like Roxane Bruneau, this will officially be the first National Day show in which Éléonore Lagacé will participate. ” I collapse ! said the versatile artist with a smile. It’s a privilege to be able to sing with these legends. » The title of the show, A chance we have, reminds him of Jean-Pierre Ferland, of course. But not only. “We need the presence of others more than ever, especially with what is happening in the world. »
The joy of singing together
With a 65-year career, Claude Dubois is an old hand at Saint-Jean celebrations. “I don’t know how to calculate that, but I’m told that I would have done between 30 and 35. I don’t have that memory, but I find that a lot! »
The singer-songwriter participates in this type of event “out of solidarity”, and for the joy of singing together. For him, the tribute to Jean-Pierre Ferland was self-evident this year.
“It’s a must. Beyond the repertoire, I really liked it. His death touched me a lot. We laughed so much together… We got to know each other when I was a beginner. I think I did my first TV with him! We have always been there for each other. We were friends. »
Like every year, a host of neighborhood parties – a little over 90 – will take place in every corner of Montreal on June 23 and 24. As for the traditional parade, several modifications have been made. The route, for example, will first take Rachel Street, then head towards Sherbrooke Street and Maisonneuve Park. And the soundtrack, made up of around forty popular Quebec songs, will be the same everywhere and broadcast by speakers placed all along the route.
But the most important new feature will be the absence of allegorical floats. The director Richard Blackburn, of the Théâtre de la Dame de cœur, who was entrusted with the design, decided to instead create a “bas-relief” parade in the spirit of street entertainment. “It will be festive and powered by human energy. We will sing and dance, make contact with the population. We have the privilege of living in a free and open Quebec, which stands out and stands out. We have an obligation to celebrate ourselves. »
To find out everything about the Quebec National Day festivities in Montreal