The first inter-municipal show, Canada PR 2021 was a great success

Prescott-Russell, August 8, 2021 — All eight municipalities of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell and the Prescott-Russell Arts Council (CAPRAC) are very pleased with the first virtual edition of Canada PR 2021.

The Canada PR 2021 virtual show was live-streamed on Facebook, YouTube and TCV22 on July 1st, and featured music, poetry, magic, dance and comedy by local performing artists. Considering the pandemic restrictions, the municipalities united their efforts to offer an interactive virtual show to an online audience made up of residents of Prescott and Russell and beyond. Uniting forces across the region strengthens the sense of community. A project like this one comes with challenges and obstacles, and the Organizing Committee is proud to have successfully brought people together although physical proximity wasn’t possible. The event was a great opportunity to put the spotlight on local talent after an especially challenging year for performing artists.

The evening began with a land acknowledgement in the form of a poetry reading by Eric Charlebois, author and President of CAPRAC, to ensure meaningful action that goes beyond simply recognizing the wrongs that have been perpetrated against indigenous communities and the enduring impacts of colonialism in our country. This text acts as a guide for truth, action and growth in the community. It will be published on the Prescott-Russell Arts Council’s website in the coming weeks.

Hosted by the bilingual and comedy-improve duo Les P’tits Cousins (Jonathan Dion and Miguel Martin), the 3-hour show brought together more than 20 artists, including 50 PROOF, Andrew Charlebois, Brian St-Pierre, Damien Maze, Martine Parisien, Gabrielle Goulet, the dancers of JB Danceworkz, Lawrence Larouche and Cynthia Martin from MAJINX, Louis Racine and the Pourquoi pas, Marie-Clo, Martine Lafontaine and Noah Rivard, Jackson Strings & Classical, Simon Cameron and Tara Shannon. The show closed with lively performances by Les Rats d'Swompe, Mélissa Ouimet and Véronic Dicaire. The Embrun-born impersonator delivered remarkable interpretations of popular classics to the delight of all generations!

The eight municipalities (Champlain Township, Township of Alfred and Plantagenet, Town of Hawkesbury, Nation Municipality, Russell Township, Municipality of Casselman, City of Clarence-Rockland and Township of East of Hawkesbury) and the Prescott-Russell Arts Council would like to thank Francis Drouin MP and the Government of Canada, the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, le Réseau du soutien à l’immigration francophone de l’Est ontarien, Escouade Multimédia, TVC22, David Groulx, Geneviève Ethier, Katy Rankin-Tanguay, Éric Charlebois, Jonathan Dion and Miguel Martin, the participating artists, and the 7,400 people who tuned in live to enjoy the show!

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Info: Prescott-Russell Arts Council | info@caprac.ca | 613-307-0491