Spectacle des Gens du Nord
Presented by Maison de la francophonie d'Ottawa (CMFO)
Les Gens du Nord is a Francophone folk music group from Northern Ontario. Formed in 1997 by four teachers from the École secondaire catholique Algonquin [Algonquin Catholic High School], the group has since grown with the addition of three of the members’ wives. Using the model of family celebrations that are centred around music, this septet plays traditional French-Canadian music inspired by groups such as La Bottine Souriante [The Smiling Boots], Les Charbonniers de l’enfer [Colliers from Hell] and La Volée de Castors [A Flock of Beavers], as well as aunts, uncles, friends and neighbours they’ve met over the years.
Les Gens du Nord have performed on various stages throughout North Bay, Ottawa, Sudbury and Quebec for nearly 30 years, singing beautiful vocal harmonies accompanied by guitar, bass, mandolin, accordion, percussion and, of course, foot tapping or step-dancing. Indeed, their modern interpretation of traditional music will certainly have you stamping your feet and singing along.