NICKEL BELT – GREATER SUDBURY – Local festivals across Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury create tourism opportunities and foster community spirit. Events promote commemorative cultural experiences; help recognize anniversaries and support local arts and heritage which greatly benefits residents and enhances our quality of life.

The live arts and music sectors have been particularly hard hit due to the pandemic. The Federal Government took swift action to ensure supports were available through various programs.

Marc G. Serré, MP for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages announced that “Productions Café-Musique de Rayside-Balfour” has received $15,500 through the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program (BCAH). MP Serré made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage.

Funds have helped support Café Heritage through various initiatives since the beginning of the pandemic which has strengthened their ability to pivot through changing COVID-19 restrictions. Funds are supporting the most recent festival event, “Café festival Noël”, which is designed to be the ultimate experience for participants who want to experience the arts and culture of how French Canadians, Métis, and Acadians celebrated their respective Christmas seasons. The show will be taking place online exclusively on Funds will also develop new community productions in the future.

• Réveillon will be webcasted on Christmas Eve at 7:30pm www.cafeheritage.ca
• “Les Gens du Nord” concert 7:30pm live stream on January 1^st on the Café Heritage Youtube page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSQijJpJHbFOB7Pw9TE9QSA

Quotes

“Through arts and teachings, we can celebrate and honour our local culture and longstanding traditions. I know so many of us are looking forward to in-person events- but I thank the Café Héritage team for their incredible dedication in bringing safe and accessible entertainment for people of all ages through these changing circumstances. We appreciate your diligence in adhering to public health measures. I encourage Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury residents to tune in and take part in the festive magic produced by Café Héritage, as they continue to deliver valuable projects that promote local talent in the region”- Marc G. Serré, MP Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages

“When the world gives you a lemon, you make lemonade, and this is what Productions has and continues to do. Covid-19 has not been kind to the arts, culture and heritage industry; however, the Federal Government has stepped up to the plate in permitting us to be creative in how we use most needed funding. Without Federal assistance we would never have had the opportunity to create Cafe UpFRONT Virtual Productions which has produced 50 productions. We are so grateful and appreciative for the ongoing Federal Government support.” – Gary Michalak, Executive Director for Café Heritage Rayside-Balfour

Quick facts

• In 2016 Café Héritage formerly known as Rayside-Balfour Café Musique, received $25,000 in FedNor funding for their 25^th anniversary event
• In 2020 Café Héritage received $5000 through the COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations fund

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Media contact
Kaylie Dudgeon,
Special assistant, Marc G. Serré MP Nickel Belt
[email protected]
705-507-2416