Details for “2 to 2” concert being finalized

To benefit Village des Sources l’Étoile Filante

ABRAM-VILLAGE, PEI – Nov. 9, 2012 – « We’ve only got a few final touches to add to the program of the ‘2 to 2’ event, which includes both a seven-hour concert and then five hours of games for adults,” confirms concert organizer Christian Gallant, a development officer with RDÉE Prince Edward Island. “We hope tonnes of people will show up for this highly entertaining day, to be held Saturday, Nov. 17, at the Centre Expo-Festival in Abram-Village.”

Gallant says he is impressed with the enthusiasm of the artists who have donated their time and talents for the cause: to raise funds for the Village des Sources l’Étoile filante, which organizes personal and spiritual development camps for youth at the Village’s new home, the Centre Goéland in Cape Egmont.

“We’ve only got one performer left to confirm; apart from that, every single block of time is filled for the concert portion of the day, which will last seven hours,” he added. “In general, we’ve allotted about 25 minutes for each act and five minutes of changeover time between acts. Our masters of ceremonies will fill in the time between acts with announcements and comedy.”

PROGRAM

As announced earlier, actor Daniel Bourgeois will transform himself into his famous Jean-Guillaume de la Bouillabaisse character to host the portion of the show that runs from 2 to 4:30 p.m. He’ll first get to introduce the singing sisters Patricia and Marcella Richard, both recording artists who are well known throughout Atlantic Canada and beyond.

Then comes the time slot for the yet-unconfirmed performer. Next will be solo singer Jacinthe Laforest of Mont-Carmel. Fiddler Norman Arsenault from Abram-Village and his wife, singer-musician Paula Arsenault will then entertain the crowd. The extremely popular singer Caroline Bernard and her mother Jeannita Bernard will round off the first portion of the show.

Long-time co-operator Angèle Arsenault will then appear as her Geraldine character, supposedly an older resident of Le Chez-Nous community care centre who has escaped. She will serve as MC starting at 4:30 p.m., first introducing a performance by the popular local country band Big River (Nick Arsenault, Allan Gallant, Peter Arsenault and Pierre Poirier) and their special guest Tanya Gallant.

Village des Sources president Jeannette Gallant will then give a few remarks about her organization’s mission, goals and plans.

The concert continues with the Friday Night Jammers, a bunch of fiddlers, guitar players and other musicians who gather at the Wellington Boys and Girls Club every Friday evening to make music. Their special guests will be the dancers “Les Gars de par chez-nous”.

Musician Alex Arsenault and his father Jacques Arsenault (renowned for his beautiful song “Les coques à Egmont-Bay”) will then take to the stage. Summerside violinist Alice Bérubé will then interpret several musical pieces to close of the second portion of the show.

At about 7 p.m., comedian Raymond J. Arsenault will take over the hosting for the final two hours of the concert while also offering glimpses of his comedy characters Paul-le-Police, the old Stanislaus and Ralph The Loser. These multiple personalities will get to introduce performers such as Zakk Cormier (lead singer of the band Input and dinner-theatre actor) and popular fiddler Peter Arsenault, who will be accompanying two dance troupes, Les Pieds Rhythmés and Les Coups d’Pieds.

Next, everyone will get to see and hear the country-bluegrass group The Docksiders, featuring Albert, Mona and Louise Arsenault and Carl Proud. Fiddler Louise Arsenault, former member of Barachois, Gadelle and Les Girls, will wrap up the concert part of the day with lots of powerful, contagious energy. She’ll get to accompany the dance troupe Les Claqueuses. Other dancers will undoubtedly get a chance to perform a few steps throughout the day.

GAMES AND DRAWS

A games night for adults only (since the bar will be open) begins at 9 p.m. A trivia game about the Evangeline region will get things underway. Next comes a poker game, a Pass the Ace game and a Giant CLR game. Those who enjoy singing will get to do so with the help of a karaoke system. Finally, a disc-jockey will play music from 12:30 to 2 a.m.

The public is invited to drop by the centre once or several times throughout the 12 hours of the event. Everyone will have an opportunity drop any desired amount into the donation box at the door.

Tickets will be sold for a 50-50 draw as well as for a Co-operation Tree Draw. At last count, the various gifts and gift certificates on the tree totalled more than $500.

A door prize valued at $750 – an overnight stay for a group of up to 25 people at the Village des Sources’ home, the Centre Goéland – will also be offered.

Throughout the day, a wide variety of snacks will be available for sale: râpure, hominy corn, seafood chowder, hotdogs, fudge, buns and cookies.

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CUTLINE 1: Internationally renowned fiddler Louise Arsenault will perform her energetic music during the “2 to 2” show in Abram-Village Nov. 17 at around 8:30 p.m.

CUTLINE 2: Popular traditional country group Big River, honoring legendary singers such as Johnny Cash, will do its fair share to entertain the crowd at the “2 to 2” show, starting at about 4:30 p.m. The group is made up of, standing, from left, guitar man Allan Gallant, singer-guitarist Nick Arsenault, bass player Pierre Poirier and, in front, drummer Peter Arsenault.

For more information:

Christian Gallant
2 to 2 coordinator
(902) 370-7333

Sylvain Gallant
Coordinator
Village des Sources l’Étoile Filante
(902) 854-2546