Angelique Francis and her band wrap up 2023-2024 Sioux Hudson Entertainment Series season in style

Tim Brody - Editor

The final show of the 2023-2024 Sioux Hudson Entertainment Series season was a hit with audience members.
Juno Award winning artist Angelique Francis and the Angelique Francis Band had the audience clapping, singing, dancing and even kicking their feet in the air along Angelique and her band’s high energy, soulful performance.
The multi-talented, multi-instrumental, multi-genre singer songwriter from Ottawa said of performing in Sioux Lookout, “It was absolutely amazing. I’ve had such a wonderful time, we’ve all had such a wonderful time. The crowd is so lively and receptive and what beautiful facilities here as well.”
This was she and her band’s first time performing in Northwestern Ontario, “It’s really wonderful. People often ask me, ‘what’s your favourite place to play?’ I’m like, it really depends, it’s all about the people and whether it’s a big crowd or a more intimate crowd, there are so many wonderful people that you meet along the way and we have met some amazing, friendly, and just welcoming people here and performing like this you really get to learn about different cultures, different communities, and it’s definitely one of my favourites.”
Commenting on she and her band’s tight-knit chemistry and enthusiastic performance, she shared, “We’re like a family, literally, and Dave is like our brother. Being up there and doing what you love with those you love is such a privilege and I feel very lucky to be doing what I do.”
Commenting on the evening’s performance she said, “We like to mix things up and do Blues influenced music and all the other genres that the Blues has helped to create so tonight had we a had a little bit of folk, a little bit of rock, and a little bit of jazz.”
Her most recent album “Long River” won the 2023 Juno Award for Blues Album of the Year.
Alyson Marin, Sioux Hudson Entertainment Series Chairperson, shared, “We were thrilled with the turn-out for our final performance of the season. With over 100 audience members in attendance, Angelique and her band commented on the audience engagement, and immediate receptivity, allowing them to share the love of what they do.  They invited us into their world, featuring Angelique’s vocals described and delivered as “powerful and textured,” along with familial harmonies with her sisters as back-up vocalists, and of course, skilled musical prowess on multiple instruments, including proficiency and some epic solos on acoustic guitar, electric guitar, upright bass, saxophone (Kharincia), trombone and melodion (Kira), drums (Kiran), harmonica and more.  They took us on a journey through musical genres, featuring jazz, soul, gospel, blues, rock and reggae. Angelique shared the stage with her father Kiran, two sisters, Kharincia and Kira, and their guitar player affectionately known as “a brother from another mother,” Dave Williamson.”
She added, “Upon arriving in our community, from sound check, through to the final bow, they brought an energy of positivity and joy, that will be sure to take us through to Spring, and many months to follow.  They toured through a number of our communities in Northwestern Ontario, with everything they needed packed into a small van, including the five of them. And when we say “toured,” we mean it.  They set out from Montreal, wound their way through the North of Superior, and ended up in the Boreal Forest. 
“They loved our landscape, the people in our town, and won the jackpot sought out, but not always experienced by many performers before them, they saw a moose!  Collectively, they were talented, powerful and humble, a perfect trifecta!”
Looking back on this past season, Martin reflected, “Our thanks as always, is extended to our audience members who enthusiastically show up, and our community Sponsors, Patrons, Supporters and Friends alike, who continue to allow us to do our volunteer work, as another way to keep the performing arts alive, by inviting professional artists to our “neck of the woods.”  It is a relationship that is important for so many reasons, not the least of which, is adding to the fabric of what is important in any community, but also, to invite, inspire, reflect and challenge us to experience different forms of expression and the range of emotions that inevitably result.  Actress Phylicia Rashad captures the importance of embracing the arts in all of its forms, “Before a child speaks, it sings.  Before they write, they paint. As soon as they stand, they dance.  Art is the basis of human expression.” 
Martin had several thanks to share to everyone who made this past season possible, “A big thanks to the Keewatin Patrica District School Board and Sioux North High School staff, students and custodians in particular, as they allow us to share their space.  Our Provincial and Federal government funders, who provide assistance with grants we submit through the Ontario Arts Council, Canadian Heritage, and up until recently, the Ontario Dances Program!, have been there for us over the years and like many, the arts sector has seen a number of cutbacks and we are trying to be creative in securing necessary funds moving forward, while rebuilding our audience attendance post-Pandemic.”
Giving a sneak peek at what people can expect next season, she shared, “We hope more people will check out our 2024 - 2025 line-up and join us for Alison Lupton, acclaimed singer-songwriter, flutist; Tim Hicks, Canadian country music star; Ian Sherwood, “an Americana artist from Dartmouth. He brings his guitar, saxophone, huge songwriting and a voice that won him a Canadian Folk Music Award;” Aysanabee, a talented, Juno award winning Oji-Cree singer-songwriter from Northwestern Ontario; The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre; the Dirty Catfish Brass Band, our horn playing neighbours extraordinaire from Manitoba; and, the long awaited return of our beloved, Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra.  You will be able to purchase single tickets on Eventbrite closer to the time, but the Season pass is the “best bang for your buck.”  Even if you aren’t familiar with any or all of the performers, and can’t attend all of the shows, this allows you to venture into the world of seasoned and emerging artists, at a price that is right.  Stay tuned as we finalize our booking process and provide more information on our social media feeds, at the Blueberry Festival Trade Show and on our website www.siouxhudsonentertainmentseries.ca.”
Martin concluded, “The committee continue to cover all of the necessary bases but are looking for interested volunteers who have skills to offer, in areas such as Publicity, Secretary and Technical.  Mentoring on all of the positions currently being carried out, is available and a great way for us to “succession plan,” to ensure arts presenting continues, and the momentum keeps us moving forward.  Please contact Chairperson, Alyson Martin, at 807-737-1677, for more information on joining our volunteer team.”