Plus new evening of dance for families and teens

ABRAM-VILLAGE – Aug. 14, 2018 – “Those who love dancing and having a good time will have lots of opportunity to party during the dances of the Evangeline Area Agricultural Exhibition and Acadian Festival,” promises event president Jeanne Gallant. “Not only are we hosting our regular adult dances, but this year we are also adding an evening of dance for families as well as a teen dance.”

Acadian country music superstar Laurie LeBlanc and his band will play, for a second year in a row, at the bedeviled soirée “Le Djâble dans l’corps” on the night of Friday, Aug. 31, while the fantastic band Réveil, in its 11th consecutive year at the Festival, will play at the Evangeline and Gabriel Dance on the night of Saturday, Sept. 1. These two popular evenings of dance will start at 10 p.m. at the Evangeline Recreation Centre. Doors open at 9 p.m.

“We are extremely lucky to be able to welcome these two magnificent groups from New Brunswick to our festival on Labor Day weekend since they are both in extremely high demand,” adds Bernard. “Both are well-known for their high-energy performances and are always greatly appreciated by all partyers.”

Both dances are open to adults only. Admission is $15 per person per evening.

LAURIE LEBLANC

This will be Laurie LeBlanc’s second appearance at the Acadian Festival. The up-and-coming singer-songwriter is extremely popular in his native Acadie; he currently occupies the top spots in the French country charts. With his original, captivating compositions, he shares a variety of personal experiences. His music, which combines country and Acadian styles, has earned him a number of awards over the year; his undeniable charisma has also endeared him to his countless country fans.

Since 2011, his seven albums and his innumerable concerts have helped him garner awards for country artist of the year, singer-songwriter of the year, show of the year or album of the year during the Gala country francophone du Canada, the Étoiles Galaxie awards, Music NB Awards, the SOCAN Gala and the FrancoFête en Acadie. The newspaper L’Acadie Nouvelle named him the 2017 Cultural Personality of the Year last October. He has performed throughout Atlantic Canada, Quebec and Ontario. He’s appeared in several TV shows, including Pour l’amour du country, Méchante soirée, Chanson via country and En route vers l’Ouest.

RÉVEIL

Réveil is celebrating its 11th appearance at the Acadian Festival. Recognized as one of the most popular bands in Acadia, Réveil was formed in 2006. The band is currently made up of Maurice Johnson on bass, Joey McKinnon on drums, Brian Hébert on electric guitar, Denise Daigle on fiddle, Richard Bourque on acoustic guitar, mandolin and banjo, Kevin Arsenault on acoustic guitar and vocals and Nancy Blanchard on vocals.

Throughout the years, they’ve recorded four albums: Sans problem (2007), Ah! Qu'il faut beau! (2009), On y va!!! (2012) and Allez, buvez this past May. All original songs are by the brother-and-sister duo of Kevin Arsenault and Nancy Blanchard. Their music is often played on Francophone radio stations throughout Atlantic Canada. Whenever there is a major Acadian show in the Maritimes, Réveil is always invited to perform.

Once the band will have finished setting up the stage Saturday afternoon, it will give a short show for everyone at 4 p.m. called “Come and Dance with Réveil”. Three young local dance troupes will join the band to perform a few dances.

FAMILY AND TEEN DANCES

The Festival is being stretched out so that it will start Wednesday, Aug. 29, at the Club 50. Tyler’s DJ will first of all play a family dance for children, parents and grandparents from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Admission is $1 for children and $2 for adults. It will be followed by a teen dance for those aged 13-18 years, in the same location, from 8:30-11:30 p.m. Admission is $6.

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CUTLINE: The Acadian band Réveil from New Brunswick, in its 11th performance at the Evangeline Area Agricultural Exhibition and Acadian Festival, will energize the Evangeline and Gabriel Dance Saturday, Sept. 1, in Abram-Village. By popular demand, New Brunswick country singer Laurie LeBlanc and his band will return to the “Djâble dans l’corps” soirée Friday, Aug. 31.

For more information:
Jeanne Gallant, President
Evangeline Area Agricultural Exhibition and Acadian Festival
Home: 902-854-3287
Cell: 902-432-0809
Email: gallant.jeanne22@gmail.com