The Acadian group Salebarbes electrified Charlo beach last Friday evening, as part of the very first presentation of the event on August 15 Su’a Plage.
More than 6000 people attended this major show on Friday in which the artists Max Bujold & The Milestones and Émilie Landry also participated. The highlight of the evening nevertheless remains the performance of the Salebarbes group.
For almost two hours, the Acadian group-composed of Jean-François Breau, George Belliveau, Kevin McIntyre and the Brothers Éloi and Jonathan Painchaud-made the crowd of their greatest successes dance such as Good Lord, Break the table or Gin with salt water (to name only a few). The spectators were even entitled to a surprise guest in the person of Lisa Leblanc, who came to join the group for two rooms.
On the weather side, the organization of the event had a happy hand. The temperature was simply perfect for this outdoor show presented at the edge of the heat bay. If the mercury was somewhat refreshed after sunset, it did not succeed in cooling the ardor of the crowd.
“It was magic. People had fun, they loved the show and were very collaborative. In fact, we have not listed major problems during the evening. Everything went well, it is a success on the whole line, ”says Pascal Saulnier, director of leisure in Baie-des-Hérons and main conductor of this great evening.
“It took a week to prepare the whole site, but it’s been at least six months if not more than we work on the organization of this event. I must say that when I see the result, I simply find it wow, and the comments that we receive from the public so far are 100% positive. We know that we have some details to improve, adjustments to make, but it remains a success that motivates us to reproduce the event next year, “he adds, recalling that the idea would be to hold this great show every August 15 by at least until the Acadian World Congress scheduled for 2029 in the Chaleur Bay.
For Mr. Saulnier, this show has demonstrated without the shadow of a doubt not only all the potential of the site, but especially that it is possible to organize large -scale shows at the Restigouche.
“We were fearful that people do not answer the call, but it was quite the opposite that happened. We sold our 6000 tickets in just four days, which is incredible, ”he says.
With the Salebarbes group, it is also aware of having set the bar very high for future editions.
“We went to get a big band this year, it’s true. It will be difficult to assume this caliber, but we have already started to simmer it. We have ideas in mind and the public also made us suggestions. We are going to look at it all to bring another good group here in 2026. ”
Great emotions for Kevin McIntyre
“Going home with the band for August 15, it was really magical.”
A member of Salebarbes, Kevin McIntyre has experienced a lot of emotions in recent days when he returned home in Charlo, in order to play and sing in front of more than 6000 people.
“I would never have thought possible that we can make such a spectacle in Charlo. It really made my heart warm when I saw that people had answered as many. The view I had from the scene-the bay, the boats, the crowd, the acadian flag everywhere-it was breathtaking, “he told the newspaper.
For the latter, the success of the show last Friday is all the more satisfactory since it represents a homecoming. Younger, it was on this same beach, in his native village, that he started performing on stage and taking experience as an artist.
“Every Friday evening for three years, I sang under a marquee in which there was a restaurant, and I have good memories. So it did me something to come back where I started. Charlo is really connected in my roots, it is part of my DNA, ”he says.
In addition to singing in his corner of the country, which greatly motivated him last Friday was to take part at the start of an adventure under the background of Acadian pride.
“A show, we can do it practically anywhere and anytime. But to return home and be part of a project that fuels the Acadian pride of the population of my region, that was particularly motivating, ”he confides
He recognizes that this Acadian pride has not always been very visible in the region.
“But I know there are a lot of proud Acadians with us, people proud of their culture. It was therefore a really special and important show for me, but also for the other guys from the band who also felt all the love and the wave of appreciation of the public. And we did not go halfway, we gave everything, because the people of the Restigouche deserved to have a good big show on August 15. ”
