The yearly "Rassemblement," April 21-23, 2023
Every year, Franco American Programs organizes a “rassemblement” or gathering of Franco American artists, writers, and creatives. This annual event aims to create a culturally supportive space in which members of the Franco-American creative community can share their work.
We at the Franco-American Centre at the University of Maine, Orono are excited to announce our
RASSEMBLEMENT 2023
Lisa and I are delighted to invite you to our annual Rassemblement. We both hope that you will join us. The tentative schedule is listed below. Parts of the gathering will also be available over Zoom, so even if you can’t join in person, we hope we’ll see you on screen.
Please sign up here
We look forward to gathering and celebrating together.
If anyone would like to come but cannot afford a hotel room, please let us know. We have a small pot of funds that we can use to help.
Take care and hopefully see you soon,
Susan and Lisa
Tentative schedule
All times in Eastern Standard Time. Zoom links and other information will be provided to registered attendees in advance of the event.
Friday, April 21, 2023
3:30pm: Talk in English (HYBRID) by Pierre Lavoie, author of MILLE APRÈS MILLE:
https://www.editionsboreal.qc.ca/catalogue/livres/mille-apres-mille-2847.html
MILLE APRÈS MILLE tells the story of three famous artists — La Bolduc, Rudy Vallée and Jean Grimaldi — as well as that of the working-class families they entertained, for whom mobility was a means of subsistence and existence, even a culture and an identity. Pierre will be speaking in-person at the Franco American Centre in English. The talk and discussion will be simultaneously broadcast over Zoom.
5:30pm: Pot-luck Dinner at the Franco American Centre. Bring something if you can, don’t worry if you can’t. There is always more than enough food.
7pm: Film Screening with popcorn and discussion (in-person, Orono)
After hearing Pierre speak about Rudy Vallée in the afternoon, we’ll join together to watch Rudy Vallée in Palm Beach Story. The film is fun and even today gets a 97% on Rottentomatoes. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/palm_beach_story
Saturday, April 22, 2023
9am-12pm: Sharing our work (HYBRID): We will establish this schedule once we get a better sense of who is planning on attending in person, who will be attending virtually, and who would like to share their work. This event will be hybrid in some way or another, so please let us know if you want to present virtually or in person.
12pm-1pm: Lunch
2pm-3:30pm: Sharing our work (if needed) or if people prefer, a moderated discussion
4pm: Talk and concert (HYBRID) by Robert Sylvain:
As the keeper of songs in his generation, Robert inherited his Mémère’s cherished notebook of old Acadian ballads, which he has painstakingly researched for their historical sources, found the original melodies, translated and arranged the songs to present to new audiences as proof that Acadian culture still lives in Maine.
6pm: Dinner
7-9pm: Sing-a-long and jam (in-person, Orono)
Bring your instruments for a jam-session or just come to listen, clap, stomp, dance, sing and yell, in French and English.
Sunday, April 23, 2023
10am-12noon: Debrief and wrap-up (in-person, Orono)
Optional informal discussion to wrap-up the weekend, provide feedback, and say good-byes.
For assistance or further information, please contact Lisa Michaud at lisam@maine.edu or (207) 581-3789.
