UNIQUE SHOWS custom made for the 41st FESTIVAL FRANCO

 PRESS RELEASE UNIQUE SHOWS CUSTOM MADE FOR THE 41 FESTIVAL FRANCO-­‐ONTARIEN BANQUE NATIONALE ST
Ottawa May 20, 2016 -­‐ FESTIVAL FRANCO-­‐ONTARIEN BANQUE NATIONALE organizers today unveiled the details of the event’s 41st edition, which will take place at Major’s Hill Park, Ottawa, on June 16, 17 and 18, 2016. This year’s entirely unique program on the TEKSAVVY GRAND STAGE and throughout the Festival site promises to get everyone jiving. From interactive shows to exclusive productions, with international, Canadian and provincial big name thrown into the mix, will be part of the original and unique lineup. “Francophones, allophones and Anglophones will all be captivated by the Festival’s impressive programming and the many activities reflecting home-­‐grown and international Francophone culture,” noted Festival Franco-­‐Ontarien Banque Nationale President JOSÉE VAILLANCOURT. “You are all invited to join in these three days of unforgettable celebration!” SUMMARY OF THE 2016 PROGRAM LINEUP Thursday, June 16 The Festival will open with a show entitled “en route to 2017” featuring artists from the first four provinces in Canada’s Confederation: Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. RADIO RADIO, SWING, GABRIELLE GOULET, VINCENT VALLIÈRES, LULU HUGHES, KEVIN PARENT, NATALIE CHOQUETTE, GENEVIÈVE BORNE and the Porn Flakes house band will present a rock opera designed specifically for the FRANCO audience. The evening will start with a show by PANDALÉON, preceded by the 2016 finalists of ROND POINT and CECCE students with CULTURE EN FÊTE « TRICOTÉS SERRÉS ». Friday, June 17 The highly talented GRÉGORY CHARLES will bring you an interactive show the likes of which only he can pull off. He will interpret some of the great French classics from different eras, and will take requests from the audience. He will be preceded by Franco-­‐Ontarian MÉLANIE BRULÉE, MARCO ET LES TORVIS and the CEPEO with TISSONS DES LIENS to start the ball rolling. Saturday, June 18 The FRANCO will close with one of the biggest musical names out of Africa, TIKEN JAH FAKOLY. He will perform songs from his new album “Racines”, and will present some of the reggae classics of Alpha Blondy, Peter Tosh, the Clash and his idol Bob Marley. The evening will start off with the latest sensation KARIM OUELLET, who will present his recently-­‐released album as well as his greatest hits. He will be preceded by RADIO ELVIS and IVAN. The morning will be filled with shows for the kids by ATCHOUM and magician DANIEL COUTU, who will be on hand to charm the little ones and their parents. At mid-­‐day, festival-­‐goers of all ages will be invited to discover KELLY BADO and PLANÈTE URBAINE, a special production by CHRISTIAN « LE R » with a focus on urban electric sounds and Hip-­‐Hop. COMPLEMENTARY PROGRAMMING The FRANCO and its partners are preparing a host of special and complementary activities: • school matinée on Wednesday, June 15, for grades 5, 6, 7 and 8 students ; • school shows by the CECCE and CEPEO on the Thursday and Friday ; • a presentation by Rond Point artists ; • a Bravo-­‐Est art exhibition ; • creative activities for young people organized by the Ottawa Art Gallery ; • the APCM Café des artistes ; • some twenty booths and food concessions ; • L’Espace Forain ; • face painting by Kromatik ; • inflatable structures ; • buskers ; • AND MUCH MORE. FRANCO 2016 CONTEST CONCOURS BANDANA presented by Collège LA CITÉ in collaboration with LE DROIT and UNIQUE FM: get your wristband passport by June 12, and you could win a VIP package with 5 friends for an evening at the FRANCO. Transportation by limousine, reserved VIP area, food and drinks included, visit backstage, gifts and much more! Local radio stations will also be running small contests where you can win bandanas: FM 104.7, ÉNERGIE, ROUGE FM and UNIQUE FM. ADMISSION AND POINTS OF SALE SAVE BIG BY GETTING YOUR WRISTBAND PASSPORT NOW! THE WRISTBAND PASSPORT (for all three nights of the event) is now on pre-­‐sale for the low price of $30 at www.ffo.ca and will be available starting Monday, May 23 in Ottawa and Gatineau BANQUE NATIONALE branches, in LIBRAIRIES DU SOLEIL and at MIFO d’Orléans. The pre-­‐sale at points of sale ends on June 12 and online on June 15. After that, wristbands will be available at the Festival entrances for $35. Wristband passport holders will also get the traditional bandana presented by Collège LA CITÉ. ONE-­‐DAY WRISTBANDS (good for one day only) will be available for $15 online and at the Festival on June 16, 17 and 18. THE AIRE DES AMIS pass is currently on sale for $50 (at www.ffo.ca until June15), and will be available at the Festival on June 16, 17 and 18 for $75. This VIP area offers seating and an exclusive bar, as well as a view of the Main Stage. Admission to the FRANCO is FREE for kids aged 12 or under! FESTIVAL HOURS • Thursday, June 16: 4 to 11 p.m. • Friday, June 17: 4 to 11 p.m. • Saturday, June 18: 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Source: Julie Dumoulin, Communications Director Groupe Simoncic for the Festival Franco-­‐Ontarien Banque Nationale Telephone: 613-­‐321-­‐0102 extension 26 Cell: 819-­‐921-­‐2646 [email protected] www.ffo.ca The Festival Franco-­‐Ontarien Banque National is run by the Simoncic Group, an agency that specializes in event management, and that is also in charge of the Rendez-­‐vous de la Francophonie, the GATINEAU Loppet, the Franco-­‐fête de Toronto and the St-­‐Albert Curd Festival.