ACADIAN FESTIVITIES AND CULTURAL CAPITALS TO ENJOY IN NEW BRUNSWICK
The World Acadian Congress -- a huge gathering of Acadians from around the world which takes place every five years -- is being held this year in north east New Brunswick from Aug. 7-23. But you don't have to be Acadian to enjoy the many festivities and events that have been planned. Some of the highlights include the Grand Opening day Aug. 7, with musical performances, boat choreography and artist displays; the Fete Nationale de l'Acadie, Aug. 15; and the Miscou island treasure hunt, Aug. 21. For details check cma2009.ca.
Also worth noting
- Caraquet, which is on the Acadian peninsula and Fredericton, the provincial capital have been designated the Cultural Capitals of Canada for 2009. For special events, check tourismfredericton.ca and ville.caraquet.nb.ca/caraquet cultural capital.cfm.
- Newfoundland celebrates explorer Robert Bartlett Robert Bartlett, described as the "greatest ice captain of the 20th century," is being celebrated this year in Newfoundland -- the place of his birth. Bartlett, a renowned Arctic explorer gained fame for his success on the 1909 Peary Polar expedition. To mark the 100th anniversary of Bartlett's role in the journey, in which he helped American Robert Peary reach the North Pole, the province is highlighting a list of special events and places to visit.
For example, see Bartlett's house Hawthorne Cottage, a National Historic Site in Brigus and take part in the town's celebrations July 10-13; step into one of the last Arctic expeditionary schooners as it tours Newfoundland and Labrador and brings the story of Bartlett to ports around the province; see a special exhibit "Collecting the Arctic: Bob Bartlett's World of North," which opens July 9 at the Rooms Provincial Museum in St. John's. For more check bartlett2009.com.
QUEBEC CITY SUMMER FESTIVAL
Three hundred musical shows from around the world in more than a dozen venues during 11 days this summer. That's what you'll find at the Quebec City Summer Festival which takes place this year from July 9-19. The price is unbeatable. A badge which allows admission into all the shows is $45 (or $35 in advance -- before June 18). The 42nd annual festival will feature a diverse range of musicians including legendary band Styx, dancehall reggae star Sean Paul, French cult group Indochine, the Kasai Allstars of Congo and Carlos Varela from Cuba. For details check infofestival.com.
RETURN OF THE IMAGE MILL
If you missed Robert Lepage's Image Mill show last year (staged as part of Quebec City's 400th anniversary celebrations), you're still in luck. The presentation is back, from June 24 to Labour Day, until the year 2013! The 40-minute wide-scale architectural projection retraces the city's 400-year history through images projected on the Bunge grain silos, which form a huge, half-kilometre screen. The Image Mill requires the use of 27 video projectors, 238 lights and 329 loudspeakers. For tourism info check quebecregion.com.
POW WOWS IN B.C. AND ONTARIO
More than a dozen pow wows are taking place in different parts of Canada this summer. The Squamish Nation 22nd Annual Pow Wow, one of the largest and oldest pow wows in British Columbia, takes place at Capilano Reserve Park, West Vancouver from July 10 to 12, 2009. It'll feature dancing and drumming, craft sales, and traditional foods such as bannock and salmon. Admission is $5. For more information, call 1-877-611-7474.
- Closer to home, in southwestern Ontario, the Six Nations will stage their Grand River "Champion of Champions" Pow wow, July 25-26. The 30th annual event takes place at Chiefswood Tent and Trailer Park between Brantford and Caledonia. Try to be there for the Grand Entry (when all the dancers file in) which starts at noon on both days and at 7 p.m. on Saturday. In addition to the dancing there'll be live music Saturday night, 50 food vendors selling, among other things, wild game and Navajo tacos, and 100 craft booths. Bring your lawn chairs. Admission is $10 for adults or a two-day pass for $15. Children (age 6-12) $2. For more check grpowwow.com or sntourism.com or call 1-866-393-3001.
MOVE OVER ANNE, HERE'S LUCY
After years of being overshadowed by the fictional character Anne of Green Gables, her creator, author Lucy Maud Montgomery now gets her due in a new musical that opens at the Carrefour Theatre in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island on July 11, 2009. The Nine Lives of L.M. Montgomery, is a multimedia spectacle that weaves events in the author's life, along with her literary output, and all eight of her fictional heroines who come to life to interact with their creator. Nine Lives was created by Emmy-nominated composer Leo Marchildon and author Adam-Michael James. Check ninelivesoflmm.com.
KLONDIKE SPIRIT
Visitors to Dawson City, Yukon can now take a trip on a paddlewheeler, similar to the ones that used to ply the Yukon River during the Gold Rush. The Klondike Spirit is a new double-deck paddlewheeler that takes up to 75 passengers on a two-hour narrated tour on the river. Along the way you'll pass some long abandoned paddlewheelers which once transported miners and gold, and learn about the Gold Rush, as well as the history of the Yukon River and the First Nations who live in the area. Operates daily from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., May 26 to Labour Day. Cost with GST is $52.50. Lunch and dinner also available for an additional cost. For more call 1-800-764-3555 or check klondikespirit.com.
WRITER@INTERLOG.COM
