TORONTO, May 12, 2005 – Franco-Fête 2005 brings together Francophones and Francophiles throughout the month of June with three events at various venues around the city of Toronto. This year’s exciting line-up of franco-talent includes the Toronto debut performance of Québecois singer Paul Piché, Senegalese percussive group Diouf , Haitian storyteller La Reine Soleil, the Montréal-based La Chango Family, improv group Improteine and multi-instrumental jazz-folk musician Paul Lamoureux. For more information on June events, the public can visit www.franco-fete.ca  (complete listings, dates and times follow)

The climax of the June events will be a free concert on Friday, June 24 - a Toronto celebration at Harbourfront Centre’s CIBC Stage. Beginning at 7 p.m. parents and children will be entertained by the larger-than-life musical storytelling of Marie-Monique Jean-Gilles, also known as La Reine Soleil. At 8 p.m., Diouf  launches into captivating Senegalese rhythms with a passionate world music session. Québecois singer-songwriter Paul Piché, whose career began with his 1976 album A qui appartient le beau temps? which sold over 100,000 copies, makes his Toronto debut at 9:00 p.m. For information on the June 24^th event at Harbourfront Centre, the public can call 416-973-4000 or visit www.harbourfrontcentre.com.

“Franco-Fête is proud to bring you this fabulous program that presents well-known artists as well as promising new talent” says Erik Larose, Chair of Franco-Fête 2005. 

Additional Franco-Fête festivities launch at the beginning of June with two ticketed events.On Thursday, June 2^nd, Franco-Fête, in partnership with “Soupers Francofun”, presents its annual Lobster Fest at 6 p.m. at the Boathouse restaurant located in Queens Quay Terminal. Paul Lamoureux will entertain with his repertoire of traditional French-Canadian songs interpreted with a modern, jazz-inspired twist.

On Thursday, June 9th, The Franco-Ontarian improvisation group, Improteine, begin the evening with a riotous and interactive show at the Lula Lounge at 8 p.m. They are followed by the 10-member group, La Chango Family, who play material from their new album Babylon Bypass. 

Franco-Fête is made possible thanks to the invaluable contribution of its many volunteers and the generous support of its partners: Heritage Canada, the Bureau du Québec à Toronto, Arts Council of Ontario, Radio-Canada (radio and television), Harbourfront Centre, L’Express, Le Métropolitain, Collège Boréal, BilingualOne and Le Cirque du Soleil.

Friday June 24

Kids/Music- La Reine Soleil part of Franco-Fête@ Harbourfront Centre (7 p.m. – CIBC Stage) free.
Music- The Diouf Brothers part of Franco-Fête@ Harbourfront Centre (8 p.m. – CIBC Stage) free.
Music- Paul Piché part of Franco-Fête@ Harbourfront Centre (9. p.m. – CIBC Stage) free.

Thursday June 9
Comedy – Improv group Improteine part of Franco-Fête (8 p.m. – Lula Lounge, Tickets $15 –416-588-0307 or www.franco-fete.ca)
Music – La Chango Family part of Franco-Fête (9 p.m. – Lula Lounge, Tickets $15,  416-588-0307 or www.franco-fete.ca)

Thursday June 2
Food/Music – Lobster Fest feat. Paul Lamoureux part of Franco-Fête (6 p.m. Boathouse Restaurant, Queens Quay Terminal, Tickets $15, 416-462-8788 or www.franco-fete.ca)

High resolution jpeg photography is available online at www.franco-fete.ca.
We are currently confirming French and English interviews with Franco-Fête artists. 

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Media Contacts :
Sylvie Leclerc: 905 257 9627; sylvie@archboldleclerc.com
For June 24 Harbourfront Centre event only:
Rebecca Webster: 416- 973-4518; rwebster@harbourfrontcentre.com