Southeastern Manitoba musicians fuel next generation at Festival du Voyageur

Young musicians with southeastern Manitoba roots hope to inspire the next generation of Francophone music at Festival du Voyageur.

Lorette native Alexande Tétrault has tapped along to fiddle music before he could speak.

His grandfather bought him his first fiddle at three-years-old, after noticing him bouncing and tapping on beat to the music whenever it was played.

“I was known to be quite a trouble-maker child, and I would cry lots and always make a fuss,” the now 22-year-old told The Carillon.

“But one thing that would always shut me up was old-time fiddle music. As soon as that turned on, I would start dancing all around the house.”

That gift sparked Tétrault’s 20-year love for the fiddle. He played his fiddle at Festival du Voyageur for the first time in 2010 as part of kids bands.

Festival du Voyageur has always been a big part of his life, with his mother being involved with the Centre Culterel Franco-Manitobain. When he was in Grade 6, Tétrault was the poster child for the festival, holding his fiddle on billboards. He’s performed at festival every year since he was 7-years-old.

His relatives on both his mother and father’s side of the family have been “very proud people” and he was always exposed to fiddle music at Metis events or kitchen parties at home, Tétrault said.

“This music just symbolizes joy. It symbolizes us getting together and a sense of community,” he said.

“It’s just joy, good times and dancing.”

Tétrault drew inspiration from southeastern Manitoba influences on fiddling, listening to greats such as Patti Kusturok and Andy de Jarlis.

His goal is to pass down his love of fiddle music to the next generation and keep the tradition growing.

He has also branched out into performing as a DJ, under the name Douzie, mixing hip-hop and and traditional fiddle music together.

His self-named Alexandre Tétrault Band will perform at Festival du Voyageur on Feb. 14 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and from 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., on Feb. 16 from 2:30 p.m. t0 3:30 p.m. and on Feb. 21 from 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.

Band Les Barn Boys are set to to play Festival du Voyageur for the third consecutive year, after forming in July 2023.

The seven-piece band mixes fiddle, mandolin and electric guitar to get boots stomping along with their tunes.

Vocalist and guitarist Caleb Dorge, 21, said the band got their name after playing a jam session together in a La Broquerie barn.

“It’s just another jam session for us, and we love getting together, playing music and making people forget about life for a while for to join us for a good kitchen party,” he said.

The band’s sound has combined Metis traditional fiddle music and country melodies, which makes for a “fun mix of both,” said Dorge.

He said all seven members grew up going to Festival du Voyageur and it’s special now to return as performers.

“It’s one of those things where you go as a kid, you learn about Francophone history,” he said. Then you go later as an adult, and it’s a good time to meet up with people you haven’t seen in a long time…The weather is usually cold, but it almost feels so warm just because of the acquaintances and the good times.”

Dorge appreciates the opportunity to express his Francophone culture on stage. He wrote a song to illustrate how history is passed down throughout Francophone communities and to call on the next generation to keep the French culture alive in Manitoba.

“You have to know a lot of things and you have to know English in Manitoba in order to survive. But just to keep in mind that the Francophone language, and I quote this, is something that they will never own,” Dorge said.

Les Barn Boys will be performing on Feb. 13 from 11:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. and on Feb. 20 from 10:45 p.m. to 11:45 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at heho.ca.