Seven months pregnant, Josée Boudreault will step on the Monument National Theatre’s stage this November.
(Photo: Éric Carrière)
Relève en Folies promises plenty of talent
By Carole le Hirez
On November 6, 150 aspiring artists will be at the Monument National Theatre for Relève en Folies, a fundraising event. For the third year, the gala, which will raise money for youth, will be hosted by comedian and radio personality Josée Boudreault. This time, she’ll be doing so with a round belly.
“I’m at my peak. I’m pregnant, and it gives me an incredible boost of energy,” Boudreault said. She will be hosting the gala only three weeks before her due-date. Little Anabelle, safe inside her mom’s tummy, will be even closer to the event than the front row, to see the emerging talent in the artistic world.
“It’s a lot of fun to build on something that’s growing every year. It gives the young people a chance to live the on-stage experience first-hand, and rub elbows with seasoned artists,” she said. This year, names like Jean-François Breau, Yves-Jean Lacasse and Virginie Cummins will also take part in the gala. Comedian André-Philippe Gagnon will be making a brief appearance through the magic of video, much like Céline Dion did last year.
Fashionable talents
For two hours, spectators will be able to take in a number of impressive performances. Song, dance, humour, and other on-stage acts will all bring plenty of variety to the venue. Fashion students from Lasalle College, many who are destined to become successful in Quebec’s fashion scene, will also be presenting their creations.
Louise Martel, a former model who wanted to help young people break into he artistic scene, started Relève en Folies in 2004, not only as a televised gala, but as a project part of the performance arts revival.
“It’s a little spark that will really show what people are starting to feel. Every year, we see surprises,” said Boudreault. For some young people, their careers took off after they participated in the gala in years past: Charles Dubé, Audrey De Montigny, Rachid Badouri, Samajam…
The formula leaves things pretty open for artists to show their talents in the way they want to. “There’s this uniformity in Star Ac' and other similar shows that you won’t find in Relève en Folies,” Boudreault said, mentioning, for example, Lazy Legs, who wowed the public with a break dance routine last year.
A $400,000 objective
Relève en Folies supports projects that help youth and sensitize the public about the different problems young people are faced with. The 2006 edition raised $150,000 for two youth organizations.
This year, the goal has been set at $400,000. Proceeds will go to Prisme, a substance abuse prevention program, and to Le Phare, a palliative care home for children that recently opened its doors in Rosemont.
Hosting the gala will be one of Josée Boudreault’s last public appearances before she takes time off to care for her new baby and older sister, Chloé.
Boudreault has been a radio host for 17 years, notably playing “la belle” alongside Peter McLeod on Radio Énergie for a number of years. A few months ago, Boudreault learnt her contract with CKOI, where she has been doing the morning show with Jean-René Dufort, will not be renewed. It’s not all that bad, she said.
“I’ll be able to prepare without feeling guilty. When I started out in the scene, I was pregnant with my first. The timing was not right. But now, I’ll be able to take advantage of it,” said Boudreault, adding she sees herself eventually getting back into radio.
The Relève en Folies organization is also looking for businesses to support them financially through donations, ticket purchases, or through corporate sponsorship.
(Translated by Elyse Amend)
(Photo: Éric Carrière)
Weather: Montreal, July 9th 2008 / 23°C
/ Overcast
/ Wind: 22 Km/h / Humidity: 83 % 
View all pictures
Steven Guilbeault - 
