Centre culturel Frontenac is proud to unveil its 2026–2027 artistic season, Roots Reaching Forward, an invitation to celebrate the traditions that have shaped Canada’s francophone communities while welcoming the voices, stories, and imaginations that will carry them into the future.
As the Centre begins a new chapter following the celebrations of its 45th anniversary, this season reflects both continuity and renewal. Inspired by the strength of roots intertwined within a shared ecosystem, the programming explores connections between heritage, identity, transmission, and creation through theatre, music, comedy, family performances, and artistic experiences that bring people together.
The starting point for this season is the music of the people—folk, traditional, and roots music—sounds that carry the stories of a community across generations. These musical traditions inspired the image of a deeply rooted plant whose seeds are carried by the winds of change. Like the dandelion, a symbol of resilience and renewal, these seeds represent the stories, cultures, and encounters that spread, evolve, and flourish through human connection.
Roots Reaching Forward celebrates this constant movement: the roots that nourish our collective memory and the new growth that opens unexpected paths forward. This season creates a dialogue between what we inherit from those who came before us and what we build together.
The programming highlights the rich musical traditions of French-speaking Canada through artists who maintain a deep connection to their cultural heritage. Genticorum, an iconic force in traditional Québécois music, will bring the roots of francophone folk to life. Audiences will also discover Samuel Bourgeois, whose music blends bluegrass with Acadian influences, and Lennie Gallant, whose songs reflect the landscapes, stories, and memories of Acadia. This celebration of living traditions continues with Moonfruits, who reimagine folk traditions through a contemporary and deeply personal lens.
But roots are never still. They welcome new stories, new influences, and new voices. This season embraces artists from diverse backgrounds who continue to shape and transform Canada’s francophone cultural landscape. Carine au micro and comedian Mibenson Sylvain reflect the richness of experiences, cultures, and perspectives that contribute to our shared identity.
The season also recognizes the importance of Indigenous voices in deepening our understanding of the land, history, and our relationship with the world. With Frétillant et agile, Jocelyn Sioui’s enchanting production combining storytelling, live music, and sandtable puppetry, audiences are invited into a world where memory, imagination, and cultural transmission come together.
Women’s perspectives also play a central role in this forward-looking season. Through Patenteuses, which revisits a Franco-Ontarian story from a feminist perspective, alongside the empowering work of comedian Silvi Tourigny and the welcoming musical world of Kristine St-Pierre, the season celebrates new stories and fresh ways of understanding our world.
In total, Roots Reaching Forward brings together more than 35 artists from across Canada through 14 professional productions, 8 major collaborations, and 9 performances at the state-of-the-art theatre Le Sésame. Together, they reaffirm Centre culturel Frontenac’s role as a leading venue for performance, artistic creation, and community gathering for the francophone population of Kingston and the Thousand Islands.
More than an artistic season, Roots Reaching Forward is an invitation to reflect on what connects us. Our roots are not only what anchor us—they are also what allow us to grow, transform, and cultivate new possibilities.
This inspiring theme emerged from the vision of our Artistic Director, Tracey Guptill. Our heartfelt thanks also go to Brian Houtman for creating the beautiful visual identity that so thoughtfully captures the spirit of this season.
Together, let’s share our stories. Together, let’s grow the future.
The new season in the Radio!
River & Sky : la musique émergente au bord de la rivière Sturgeon à partir from 11:50