PREVIEW
Flying Canoë Volant
La Cité Francophone production
Jan. 31, Feb. 1 and 2
La Cité Francophone, Rutherford School and Mill Creek Ravine
Admission: Free
Hearkening back to old francophone, Métis and First Nations legends, the 10th annual Flying Canoë Volant festival approaches, packed with boatloads of good old-fashioned joie de vivre.
Loosely based on the legend of The Flying Canoe, the festival is a nighttime adventure that will ripple throughout Edmonton’s French Quarter from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2.
As the sun drops below the horizon and a moon casts its glow across darkened skies, ghostly voyageurs fly through the woods in shaky canoes as the three-day family festival springs to life at 6 p.m. every evening.
Designed to brighten spirits, the festival is anchored in Mill Creek Ravine’s enchanted forest, Rutherford School and La Cité Francophone. Visitors are encouraged to embrace winter madness while saturating themselves in the beauty of storytelling, lights, fires, snow sculptures and some of Edmonton’s finest performers.
Daniel Cournoyer, producer of Flying Canoe, advises families to begin their adventure at the meandering Mill Creek Ravine.
One of the first attractions is the Indigenous Camp where passersby are invited to dip their toes in friendship dances, Cree drumming and singing.
“They’re even going to be serving Labrador Tea,” said Cournoyer. “Every piece is designed to be interactive. Every activity is about breaking down barriers and encouraging participation and reconciliation.”
Further into the ravine is a Métis tent where entertainer Dave Cunningham, son of Dr. Chester Cunningham (a crusader of Indigenous rights), fires up his band to teach old-time jigs and reels. There will also be demonstrations of traditional Indigenous dances.
“This is a winter festival and dancing will keep you warm,” Cournoyer said, laughing.
The former St. Albert resident noted that through the centuries, several versions of The Flying Canoe legend have grown, and storyteller Roger Dallaire will spin the yarns in a heated tent.
“There’s an adaptation with flying pickups, flying canoes, galloping horses and wolves. The sky is busier than we think.”
Towards the end of Mill Creek’s trails, a dozen visual artists have fashioned an installation of illumination and sound.
“As people make their way out of the ravine, we have 30 volunteer voyageurs from the Keyano Club pushing a canoe two kilometres to Rutherford School. We thought the distance was too long for young kids to walk, and we can fit about 25 to 30 kids in the canoe.”
Rutherford School is home to the Winterus Maximus Fat Bike-chariot races.
“Fat bikes are going to pull dog sleds that look like chariots. People can try them out on Friday, or sign up for the Saturday races.”
Also moored at the school are Firebrand’s Glass Studio glass art installation with interactive elements.
“We commissioned Julia Reiner and Tyler Rock to create Winter Breath. The installation is contained in a sea can. You walk in, you exhale and you see your breath crystallize.”
Over at La Cité, children are invited to sled down the outdoor rotunda’s great snow slide while parents sip a few drinks at the outdoor ice bar.
“There’s a maple whiskey courtesy of Quebec, and I can say it’s quite delicious.”
Inside La Cité, sculptor Paul Freeman exhibits Antlers Aweigh, a spirited but macabre installation.
“It is fibreglass forms of bucks with antlers growing out of every part of their body, but it all fits within the piece.”
In addition, L’UniTheatre, the indoor theatre, will be decked out as a cabaret showcasing assorted entertainment each night.
Thursday night features the full-length film, La chasse galerie, a tale of the allegorical Flying Canoe and the consequences that follow from making a pact with the devil.
Friday night’s cabaret features Rigadon with Shannon Johnson, Dana Wylie Band as well as Choir and Marching Band.
Mimson (Jason Kodie and Mireille Moquin), as well as emerging artist Paul Cournoyer, Retrofitz and DJ JoyOne Sound will be showcased on Saturday, the final day of the festival.
“Flying Canoë Volant is a beautiful way to spend a long winter night. It’s full of activities. So rarely do we go into our magical parks at night. It’s a great way to play on the spirits that are alive at night. In the telling of Flying Canoe, it blends three cultures and provides something for everyone.”
