Maisonneuve Park | Tribute to Jean-Pierre Ferland on National Day programme

title We have a chance, the big show for Quebec’s National Day in Montreal at Maisonneuve Park on June 24, will be an undisguised tribute to Jean-Pierre Ferland. The shadow of Karl Tremblay, another great singer of the Cowboys Fringants, also hangs over this evening, which will bring together living legends like Claude Dubois and Patsy Gallant and young talents like Éléonore Lagace and Roxane Bruneau.

“We had already planned to salute Jean-Pierre Ferland live to mark his birthday, as he turns 90 on June 24. Cuckoo became a tribute,” explains director Pierre Seguin. And the show’s title, We have a chance, which emerged after the singer’s death on April 27. “A large part of his family would attend the show,” says a close friend of the Little King.

As for Carl Tremblay, who moved Quebec on November 15, 2023, Pierre Seguin notes that the tribute will be in another order. “It’s more connected to the Quebec language, the cowboys’ fringes took it everywhere. It goes somewhere other than singing the most popular songs. »

Pierre-Yves Lord, host of the program, said that these two consecutive collective mournings, the Saint-Jean programs, show the extent to which “we pass each other during this celebration” is an important moment of solidarity. “It’s part of the web that tightens us up. »

Almost all of the artists performing at Maisonneuve Park were present during Tuesday’s press conference, which in a sense was the start of the countdown before the festivities. On June 24, Claude Dubois, Roxanne Bruno, Patsy Gallant, Queenie, Danielle Lavoie, Ganen, Eleanor Lacasse, Judy Richards, Fauci and Le Vent du Nord will share the stage and songs with musical direction by Julie LaMontagne and Tony Albino. , with Alexandre Francoeur in choreography.

Pierre Séguin is proud of this wide range of styles and generations. “We are casting a wide net!”, he said. It pleases younger people like Pierre-Yves Lorde and Roxanne Bruno who “know history is around.” “It warms my heart to share the stage with such important figures in Quebec music,” said the popular singer-songwriter. Judy, Patsy, Claude Dubois, they’ve come to see me before, they’re so welcoming, super caring. Glad to be able to experience this. »

Roxanne Bruno doesn’t know what kind of tribute will be paid to the Cowboys, but by the end of the evening, she’ll definitely have an idea for her idol, Carl Tremblay.

Like Roxanne Bruno, it will officially be the first National Day event featuring Eleonore Lagasse. “I collapsed! Said the versatile artist with a smile. It’s a privilege to sing with these legends. » Title of the show, We have a chance, certainly reminds him of Jean-Pierre Ferland. But not only. “We need the presence of others more than ever, especially with what’s going on in the world. »

Happy to sing together

With a career spanning 65 years, Claude Dubois is an old hand at Saint-Jean celebrations. “I don’t know how to calculate it, but I said I would have done 30 to 35. I don’t have that memory, but I see it a lot! »

The singer-songwriter participates in this type of event “because of togetherness” and for the joy of singing together. For him, the tribute to Jean-Pierre Ferland was self-evident this year.

Like every year, on June 23rd and 24th there will be more than 90 neighborhood parties – in every corner of Montreal. As for the traditional parade, many changes have been made. For example, the route would first take Rachel Street, then Sherbrooke Street and towards Maisonneuve Park. And the soundtrack, made up of forty popular Quebec songs, is the same everywhere and is broadcast through speakers all the way through.

But the most important new feature will be the absence of metaphorical floats. Richard Blackburn, the director of the Théâtre de la Dame de cœur, who was entrusted with the design, decided instead to create a “bas-relief” procession in the spirit of street entertainment. “It will be festive and powered by human power. We will sing, dance and connect with people. We have the privilege of living in a free and open Quebec that stands out. We have a duty to celebrate ourselves. »