AlgomaTrad festival celebrates everything Francophone, maple syrup

A new festival that celebrates everything Francophone and maple syrup is scheduled to take place from March 24 through March 26 in Hilton Beach, Sault Ste. Marie, and Elliot Lake.

Presented by AlgomaTrad, Festival Cabane à sucre (Francophone Sugar Shack Festival) includes traditional music, dance, food and heritage arts, and features a performance from Jean-François Berthiaume and RéVeillons from Québec.

Additional event details are available in the news release below:

AlgomaTrad presents a Festival Cabane à sucre (Francophone Sugar Shack Festival), a three-day, multi-generational event occurring in Hilton Beach, Sault Ste. Marie, and Elliot Lake, March 24-26, 2023. The maple syrup-themed festival will feature traditional Francophone music, dance, food, and heritage arts in partnership with the Centre Francophone de Sault-Sainte-Marie and RAFO rive nord of Elliot Lake. AlgomaTrad is pleased to announce that Jean-François Berthiaume et RéVeillons from Québec will be the featured artists for the festival.

The Festival Cabane à sucre will occur Friday evening, March 24 at Hilton Beach, St. Joseph Island; Saturday all day, March 25 in Sault Ste. Marie; and Sunday all day, March 26 in Elliot Lake. More information about the Festival, including program, schedules, and admission prices will be available soon online.

High in demand, percussionist, caller, step dancer, Jean-François Berthiaume has a rich and varied background and is recognized as one of the most original and entertaining dance callers and percussionists in Québec. Jean-Francois has dedicated more than 20 years learning, researching and living the folk music and dance of Québec. As well as playing with RéVeillons!, he is the percussionist for female vocal group Galant tu perds ton temps, dedicated to the songs of francophone women, and still travels with their ever-popular show in Quebec, North America and across the world.

RéVeillons! is a quartet steeped in the traditional music and dance of Québec. Playing festivals and concerts across North America since the 90s, they have released three recordings as a group and many more as individuals and with numerous other Québecois trad bands.

The festival is funded by a grant from the Government of Ontario Ministry of Francophone Affairs. This event will offer multiple benefits including partnerships between several Algoma communities and organizations, opportunities for volunteer hours for high school students, performances by local performers, and a fun and engaging event for all ages!