RAME À LA RENCONTRE: Manitoba Music's Francophone Music Program Hosts Industry Event During Festival du Voyageur

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Justin Lacroix

Manitoba Music continues its busy winter of career development opportunities for the music industry with its inaugural Francophone event, Rame à la rencontre de l’industrie de la musique francophone.

Running February 21-23, in conjunction with Festival du VoyageurRame à la rencontre features two showcases and an afternoon industry panel as well as networking opportunities for participants. The event offers the Francophone music community a rare opportunity to connect with the industry tastemakers, showcase their talents, and continue to learn about the business of breaking into Francophone markets.

Promenade Café et Vin will host a showcase of Manitoba acts, including Western Canadian Music Award nominee Jocelyne Baribeau, folk/soul singer/songwriter Justin Lacroix, and Franco-pop senstation marijosée on February 21. The following afternoon, Le Garage Cafe will feature performances by Alberta's Raphaël Freynet, and Saskatchewan's Shawn Jobin and Anique Granger.

Influential reps from several Canadian independent labels and management companies will be in the audience to hear the six showcase acts.Invited panelists include Le Grenier Musique's Carol Doucet (Les Hay Babies, Lisa LeBlanc), Les Production Virago's Charles Pirnay (founder of Les Québecofolies), Third Side Music's Florent Clavel; Bonsound's Gourmet Délice (Malajube, DJ Champion, Monogrenage), Indica Records' Jean-François Cardin (Caracol, Misteur Valaire), and Sonia Bergeron from Dare to Care Records / Grosse Boite (Les soeurs Boulay, Canailles).

Rame à la rencontre is an initiative of Manitoba Music's new program focused on Western Canadian Francophone music development. Launched in June 2013 as part of a multi-year trade and business development project, the program was created to strengthen connections with the Francophone music industry and generate opportunities for capacity development as well as exporting to national and international markets. The project is funded by the Government of Canada through Western Economic Diversification.

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