‘Keeping that spirit alive,’: Manitoba musicians celebrate at Festival du Voyageur

CTV’s Joseph Bernacki takes you backstage at Festival du Voyageur, where many performers are showcasing their talent on stages during the festival.

Inside a tent at Festival du Voyageur – a mix of roots and Americana chords fill the air to a crowd of cheers.

“It’s beautiful to be invited to be a part of this celebration,” said Keri Latimer, lead vocalist of Leaf Rapids on Saturday.

Latimer, a Juno Award-winning Winnipeg songwriter and her band Leaf Rapids are no strangers to the festival stage.

She said it was a joy to be welcomed back to the 10-day festival again to do what they love most – entertain crowds of all ages.

“Music in every situation brings everyone together, maybe brings joy to your heart and you can maybe leave here feeling a little lighter and better and more connected to the people around you,” Latimer said with a smile.

On the courtyard outside, a mobile concert trailer welcomed guests to the sound of a fiddle player who’s been playing the instrument since she was four years old.

“I grew up around a kitchen table with music every weekend, and we had a family friend that was a fiddle player,” said Morgan Grace, a 17-year-old Métis fiddle player.

“I was looking up to him, and I just decided that I wanted to play and I’ve been playing ever since.”

On Saturday - Grace got a chance to perform with her dad inside the boîte à chansons - a heated music venue on wheels.

Grace said she loves the laid-back approach of Festival du Voyageur and striking the bow with family and friends.

“We don’t play super fast, we don’t play super fancy,” she said.

“It’s just kind of chill and downhome. It’s awesome. It’s so much fun.”

Festival du Voyageur staff said there are musical styles for everyone to tune in. Performances have become an essential part in what the French call the enjoyment of life.

“Celebrating music is a way of honoring the voyageurs and the way that they celebrate and joie de vivre, so keeping that spirit alive,” said Breanne Lavallée-Heckert, executive director of Festival Du Voyageur.

Festival Du Voyageur runs until February 22.