2024 LINE-UP:
SAMIAN
Singer - Rapper
Originally from Pikogan, a small indigenous community in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Samian conquered by proudly wearing his colors; those of an entire people, for whom he claims respect and recognition. Discovered in 2004 thanks to the Wapikoni Mobile project, he has since released 4 albums, one of which, Face à la musique (2011), won a Felix at the ADISQ gala for hip-hop album of the year. . He has performed across Canada and in more than ten countries around the world. He also published a collection of poetry bringing together the texts of his first 3 albums, in addition, several of his texts can be found today in various school textbooks in Quebec. In February 2016, he was awarded the prestigious Artist for Peace award, recognized across Canada.
A talented photographer, Samian exhibited his works at World Press Photo Montreal (2015) and presented his first photographic exhibition, "Enfant de la terre", at Place des Arts in 2016.
An actor, he has appeared in several films, including “Roche Papier Ciseaux” (2013) and “Hochelaga: Land of Souls” (2018), which represented Canada at the Oscars. His fourth album, “Le Messager” (2019), was warmly received.
In 2019, he also hosted the documentary series “En Marge du Monde” on TV5 Monde.
Mélissa Ouimet
Singer - Rock
Mélissa Ouimet has been setting the stages of Quebec and French-speaking Canada alight for over 15 years. In 2016, she released her self-titled debut album on Musicor. She then self-released the “Amours jetables” EP in 2018, winning the “chanson primée” award at the Trille Or.
A proud spokesperson for Francophones outside Quebec, she unites many voices against anti-French measures with a new version of “Personne ne pourra m'arrêter”, which has become the anthem of Franco-Ontarian resistance. In 2019, she takes part in La Voix, reaching the quarter-finals. During the pandemic, she keeps in touch with her fans via Facebook live sessions, winning the Trille Or for “Online Show of the Year” in 2021.
She launches “Noël dans la tête”, topping the radio charts. In 2022, she releases the EP “Sans tomber”, accompanied by a short film broadcast on TFO. In 2023, she receives six nominations at the Gala Trille Or.
LeFLOFRANCO
Singer - Rapper
LeFLOFRANCO, artist of the #RapFrancoCan scene, offers vibrant sounds and emotional lyrics. Seeking to push the boundaries of Hip-hop, he describes his style as “multi-colored urban pop”. He wants to offer a multidimensional perspective, combining modern Hip-Hop, Electro and Caribbean sounds such as Soca, Reggae-Fusion and Haitian Kompa. His lyrics explore deep and personal themes, captivating a varied audience, both English and French. LeFLOFRANCO enjoys collaborating with various producers including Sonny Black, DJ UNPIER, CHEVDOT and DJ SKORPYON. In 2019, he released his first album “Inherent Force”, reaching 54th place on the top 200 Canadian HipHop/Rap new releases on iTunes. He performed in Ontario, toured in British Columbia and released the music videos “Bal exotic” and “ON A EN ENOUGH!” », the latter being crowned “video of the month” on Shifter Magazine in May 2020. In 2021, he won the “Visual Design” prize at the Trille Or Gala.
DJ Unpier
Electronic music
DJ UNPIER possesses boundless energy and contagious intensity on stage. Producer, entrepreneur and artistic director, he is an innovative artist involved in every sphere of his musical production. His mission is to get the crowd dancing and revolutionize French electronic music with his unique Keb House style.
He closed the 40th Just for Laughs Festival on the main stage of the Place des Festivals, and was artistic director of the 2022 Franco-Ontarian Festival in Ottawa, where he played for 3 hours with 24 collaborators.
With a dual francophone identity, Franco-Ontarian and Québécois, DJ UNPIER stands out for his collaborations with various electronic dance music artists. Nominated two years running at the Gala de l'ADISQ for Electronic Album of the Year, he continues to get crowds dancing wherever he goes.
Wesli
Singer
As a child, Wesley Louissaint made his first guitar from an oil drum and fishing line. Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, he quickly became an acclaimed songwriter, guitarist and producer. In 2019, his sixth opus, “Rapadou Kreyôl”, won the Juno and Félix awards for best world music album, as well as the Coup de Cœur prize from the Académie Charles Cros in France. Wesli combines the roots of voodoo and rara with Afrobeat and hip-hop, collaborating with Canadian and international talents such as Tiken Jah Fakoly and Radio Radio. Crowned “Révélation Radio-Canada” in 2009, he received the Babel Med Music award in 2010 and the Hagood Hardy award from SOCAN in 2016. In 2020, he won the Canadian Folk Music Award and the Independent Music Award for his song “Lolé Lolé”. In 2021, he is preparing his seventh album “Tradisyon” with the American label Cumbancha.
Mi'gmafrica
Afro-Indigenous Music
Mi'gmafrica is a musical encounter between Mandingo culture, with Sadio Sissokho, a griot emeritus from Senegal, and Mi'gmaq culture, with Valérie Ivy Hamelin, a multidisciplinary artist from the Micmac Nation of Gespeg. Melodies, songs, tributes to the elders and prayers combine gently and powerfully to take you to the farthest reaches of human history. Two traditions, two continents, drawing their inspiration and strength from the same sources: the roots of the earth and Creation. Sadio shares, on kora and voice, the traditional Mandingo songs he inherited from his father, while Valérie Ivy shares some traditional Mi'gmaq songs, accompanied by her hand drum, flute and voice. Together, they present these songs revisited, as well as compositions in which the Mi'gmaq, Mandinka, Wolof and French languages intertwine with magic and beauty.
Lorraine Klaasen
Township Music, blues/jazz
Lorraine Klaasen, daughter of legendary jazz singer Thandie Klaasen, is renowned for her commitment to preserving the classic sound of South Africa's townships. Originally from Soweto and now based in London, Ontario, her dynamic stage presence and talent have won her worldwide audiences. Her album “Africa Calling” (2008), in collaboration with South African producer Mongezi Chris Ntaka and bassist Bakhiti Khumalo, has had an international impact. “A Tribute To Miriam Makeba” won her the 2013 Juno Award for Best World Music Album, honoring the legendary South African singer. “Nouvelle Journée” (2017), nominated for a Juno Award, explores new musical styles. Her latest project, “Ukubonga” (Gratitude) (2022), records songs emblematic of Southern Africa's townships. She has performed at renowned festivals such as the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal and the Festival International Nuits D'Afrique.
Lua Shayenne
Afro-contemporary dance
The LUA SHAYENNE DANCE COMPANY (LSDC) infuses Canadian contemporary dance with the energy of its African heritage. Fusing West African dance, music and storytelling with contemporary art, LSDC creates original works that explore social and spiritual themes, enriching collective well-being and personal development.
LSDC strengthens communities through educational programs, public workshops with local and international artists, and the biennial YENSA Festival, highlighting black female dancers on the Canadian and international scene.
Under the artistic direction of Lua Shayenne, LSDC offers a spiritual experience in the service of the community. Their recent creations, “WATER SPIRIT” and “FRONTIERS | FRONTIÈRES”, were presented in January 2024 at the Betty Oliphant Theatre. LSDC has also performed at prestigious festivals such as the Conference and Festival of Blacks in Dance (2023), Fall for Dance North (2022), and Dusk Dances.
Ilam
Afro Blues & Pop-Rock
Born in Dakar, Senegal, ILAM draws on his Fulani roots to offer a musical style blending Sahel blues, afropop, reggae, jazz and soul. His latest album “Néné” won Best World Music Album at ADISQ and GAMIQ in 2020. Released on the GSI Musique label, the album was produced by Assane Seck and includes collaborations with Baaba Maal, Meta and The Cornerstones, Yann Perreau and André Vanderbiest.
Since his debut in 2005 in a local hip-hop group, ILAM has evolved as a singer-songwriter, training at the Dakar Conservatory of Music. Arriving in Montreal in 2014, he formed a band and won awards at the Vitrine des musiques locales métissées. He then performed at major events such as the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal and Nuits d'Afrique.
Crowned Révélation Radio-Canada in 2016-2017, ILAM released its debut album “Hope” and embarked on a Canadian tour. In 2017, he takes part in the “5 x 15” album and sings at the grand Montréal symphonique show. ILAM continues a 60-concert tour across Canada and takes part in the Atlantic Music Expo in Cape Verde in 2018. Noticed by Sony Music Africa, he obtains a residency in Côte d'Ivoire.
Le diable à 5
Singer - Rapper
Le Diable à Cinq is a powerful traditional music group made up of five
multi-instrumentalists and singers native of Ripon, in Outaouais, whose main mission
is to revive the festive evenings in which its members grew up. It is also
a family story featuring three brothers, a cousin and a friend who share
the stage with remarkable complicity. Displaying dynamism and presence of
explosive scene, the five devils set the evening alight to the sound of energetic music,
warm and resolutely unifying.
Adama Daou & Siraba
Afro-European fusion music
Adama Daou is a musician of Malian origin, considered one of the greatest
specialists in the balafon, this 12-bladed percussion emblematic of all of Africa
the West. His migratory journey, which brought him to Quebec via France, made him
open to numerous artistic collaborations with bearers of
traditions from varied musical cultures. Adama Daou is a true ambassador
balafon and Mandingo culture.
Siraba (the great way) is his latest show of artistic dialogue between
emblematic languages of three continents: West Africa, South America and
Europe, from the 12-bladed balafon from Mali and the Mandingo guitar (Aboulayé Koné),
pandeiro from Brazil and saxophone (Gabriel Schwartz) and double bass (Olivier
Babaz). An encounter that is both refreshing and dynamic, where ancient traditions
are renewed by a dialogue which opens onto a new universe of great beauty.
Activities and Shows
Nathalie Nadon
Animation
Nathalie Nadon, a theater graduate of the University of Ottawa and trained at the Stella Adler Conservatory and Yale, is a versatile artist renowned for her talent on stage. She excels in both humor and drama, displaying a remarkable freedom of expression.
Nathalie has appeared in over thirty television and stage productions. She shone at the Stratford Festival in “Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris” and with the vocal trio Les Chiclettes. On television, she stars in “TOUT Sexplique” (Unis TV) and has appeared in “Ainsi Va Manu”, “ZIK”, “Amandine et Rosalie”, “Les Bleus de Ramville” and the film “Quebexit”.
She won two Trille Or awards in 2013 with Les Chiclettes. Nathalie is also an author, producer and composer. She wrote and produced “Les aventures d'Amandine et Rosalie” and co-conceived “Rose, Épines, Cendres et Dentelle”. Off stage, she coordinates television productions for Unis TV and TV5 Canada.
Zak tamer of challenges
Circus
The new show from Radio-Canada's Zone Jeunesse presents Zak, an endearingly funny character with a passion for challenges. Dynamic and curious, Zak pushes the limits of knowledge by taking on playful challenges to take part in the biggest international challenge competition.
Thanks to his resourcefulness, creativity and perseverance, Zak takes on challenges set by spectators and figures from the Youth Zone. He uses objects from his set, such as balls, skittles, crystal balls and musical instruments, to accomplish his feats.
His adventure brings spectators face to face with beloved Youth Zone characters such as Pierre-Yves Lord, Agent Jean, Massi Mahiou, magician Daniel Coutu and Émilie Woods. With humor and infectious madness, Zak captivates youngsters and draws them into his mad race. Will he succeed in being chosen for the contest?
Ultimutts
Animation
Ultimutts returns for a 3rd consecutive year to present their incredible show Hollywoof Stars, which no one gets tired of seeing again and again! Our 4-legged celebrities will show you how they bring an animal character to life and do daredevils on the big screen. Our cat and dog teams will perform incredible stunts with jump rope, skateboards, scooters, handstands and tightrope walking! You'll see, meeting them in real life is even better than seeing them on Netflix or on television. Will these little stars convince you as much as the jurors of the show “Canada's Got Talent”?
Hamilton Aerial Group
Circus
Hamilton Aerial Group (HAG) is a circus arts collective based in Hamilton, Ontario. We create highly artistic, entertaining and educational shows for the community. We specialize in aerial arts and stilt walking, as well as producing high-quality theatrical shows with extraordinary costumes. We produce our own cabaret-style and theatrical shows (e.g. La Nuit du Vagabond, La Nuit du Frisson) and are available to be hired for events.
Through our shows and workshops, we aim to create meaningful experiences to help people feel connected and inspired. We are committed to engaging audiences from all walks of life.
We are a federally and provincially incorporated non-profit organization. The group is made up of 16 core members who bring a diverse range of skills to our collective. We simply love performing together.