The Montréal band Bon Débarras is back in Coquitlam this month to headline a pre-party for Festival du Bois, the annual francophone fete happening from March 23 to 25 at Mackin Park.
Bon Débarras last appeared at the fest in 2014 but, for this year, they’ll be at the main event as well as perform their Québécois folk tunes at Diner en Plaid at the John B Pub on March 21.
For $30, Diner participants will be served up the musical fare plus a plate of traditional French-Canadian food and French Lumberjack ale from Yellow Dog, Port Moody’s first craft brewer.
As well, guests can also play French-Canadian games — i.e., arm wrestling — at the event, which starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Austin Heights pub (1000 Austin Ave.).
For tickets, visit festivaldubois.ca/diner-en-plaid.
Meanwhile, preparations are now underway for the 29th annual Festival du Bois, which opens March 23 with an all-ages contra dance in the Grand Chapiteau with music from The Sybaritic String Band.
Saturday and Sunday, there’ll also be sounds from Bon Débarras, Le Vent du Nord, Les Chauffeurs à pieds, Mazacote, Jacky Essombe, Gabriel Debreuil, Blackthorn, Podorythmie and Alouest.
And don’t forget to try out the handmade tourtiere and grab a treat from the sugar shack — a crowd favourite.
• Tickets to Festival du Bois at Mackin Park (1046 Brunette Ave.) are $10 for Friday night, and $18/$12/$7 for general admission on Saturday or Sunday with no cost for kids under five. Family and weekend packages are also available. Visit festivaldubois.ca.
