Louis Riel Day Celebration November 13, 2010

Compaigni V’ni Dansi invites Vancouver to celebrate the life of Louis Riel, the Canadian folk hero, with the fifth annual Louis Riel Day Celebration, a festival of Métis Dance, Music and Culture.

Taking place over two days, this year’s Festival will also feature a special Métis dinner and dance on Sunday 14 November at the WISE Hall to which everyone is invited.

In addition to honouring Louis Riel, the Festival is a chance to celebrate the vitality of contemporary Métis culture both locally and across Canada. Festivities begin on November 13 at the Cultch with an exciting line up of contemporary and traditional Métis artists. The evening will be hosted by Winston Wuttunee, one of Canada’s premiere aboriginal performers with special guests Métis fiddle master John Arcand accompanied on guitar by his wife Vicki Arcand. Other performers include acclaimed poet and writer Greg Scofield and rising traditional dance star Madeleine McCallum. Jules Chartrand, Métis historian from St Laurent will provide the opening prayer. Led by master jigger Yvonne Chartrand, the Louis Riel Métis Dancers will once again provide energy and heart with their traditional Métis jigging.

The next night, the Celebration takes over the WISE Hall with a communal dinner and dance including live music by our special guests John and Vicki Arcand .Delicious, traditional Metis fare will be served along with performances and a chance for the whole community to join in to dance and celebrate.

In addition, during the day on November 13, John Arcand will offer special fiddle workshops. For more information on this rare opportunity to work with a fiddle master please contact Compaigni V'ni Dansi directly.

For more information: or call 604.873.6373

Official Website: http://www.vnidansi.ca