The recently re-branded community Francophone radio station, Boreal FM, held a dinner and concert on Feb. 26 to introduce the new radio’s name to the community. The event was an early kick-off to the March Francophone Month in Alberta.
Helping to launch the Franco-Canadian celebration, the night also featured a guest appearance by Plamondon-born recording artist Crystal Plamondon. The hometown singer was releasing her first new single in more than four years. The song, a tribute to the Francophone community radio station, is called Aurore Boreal.
The event was free of charge, with a presentation on the history of the community radio station, along with performances from a student band, and local favourites Girlz and Guitarz.
Boreal FM plays a mix of French and English songs with a wide range of genres, while focusing on franco-Canadian heritage.
“We are the only radio station in the area to play pop music,” says Alyson Roussel, the General Manager of Boreal FM. “We do French pop and English pop, and a little bit of country. There’s a big variety of music too — at night sometimes we play jazz.”
The purpose of Boreal FM community radio station is to keep the French language and French culture alive in Plamondon.
“It is really important because it is the culture of the people here and you can see it in how they live,” says Roussel. “Their ancestors were from Quebec or Michigan, and came to Plamondon to have a better life. I’m just here to help their community have the culture of French music every day through the radio.”
The hamlet of Plamondon is one of only four officially recognized bilingual communities in the province. Thoughout March several Franco-centric events are taking place in Plamondon. This past Sunday, the annual Cabane a Sucre event was held, and the week-long Hockey en Fete tournament will take over the Plamondon Arena's ice in the days to come.
