The Georgia Straight proudly sponsors Festival du Bois

Western Canada’s largest francophone festival, Festival du Bois, takes place February 28 to March 2 at Coquitlam’s Mackin Park (1046 Burnette Avenue). The 25^th annual festival features both traditional and innovative Quebecois, francophone, folk, world, and roots music artists performing today.

Festival du Bois will kick off with an evening concert by Alexis Normand, a Fransaskois artist whose folk-jazz melodies recall the soft prairie wind. On Saturday and Sunday (March 1 and 2), find music, artists, performers, entertainment, and delicious food under the heated tents at Mackin Park.

Performers include Montreal-based instrumentalists Bon Débarras, Quebec’s De Temps Antan, accordion-led Yves Lambert Trio, Acadian trio Vishtèn, New York-based sextet Matuto, eclectic musical group Joutou and friends with Oscar Villanueva, children’s singer-songwriter Charlotte Diamond, duo Les Bûcherons, and vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Dejah Léger.

The festival highlights the French-Canadian pioneering heritage and logging-based history of Maillardville in Coquitlam.

Tickets to Alexis Normand’s concert at Place des Arts on February 28 are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. General admission to the festival on Saturday and Sunday is $12 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, $5 for children, and $30 for a family package. Tickets can be purchased online in advance.