Fifty candles for CCFM

St. Boniface

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This article was published 14/02/2024 (968 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Centre culturel franco-manitobain is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

The centre, which is located at 340 Provencher Blvd., first opened its doors on Jan. 25, 1974, and has become a cultural hub in the heart of the city’s francophone community.

To celebrate its landmark half-century anniversary, CCFM will hold a number of events and initiatives throughout the year in collaboration with different community partners and organizations.

This includes, topically, its upcoming Après-Festi events, from Feb. 17 to 24 at Le Patio 340, in conjunction with Festival du Voyageur; and March will see a $10,000 short film competition presented by RBC take place at CCFM in partnership with On Screen Manitoba, an initiative that aims to encourage creativity and showcase local and francophone talent in the film industry, organizers say.

Also included in the lineup is Le Rire Zone on April 11, a show with a 50th anniversary flavour featuring local comedians; Laurent Roy’s 50 Years of Music concert on April 19, a retrospective that will feature more than 20 francophone artists on stage; and there will be a series of events in June including a comedy show by Jay Du Temple (in partnership with the Conseil jeunesse provincial, which is also celebrating its 50th anniversary), a day in honour of Indigenous culture, and a family day organized by Théâtre Cercle Molière.

At the end of the year, the centre is planning a major celebration that will bring together other organizations.

Ginette Lavack, CCFM’s executive director, said part of the success of the centre — which is also home to a number of local francophone establishments, as well as Stella’s café, is that it’s evolved and grown with the community in the last five decades.

“As a cultural centre, we want to be relevant, so we have to continue to listen to the community,” Lavack said. “If the centre’s still here, it’s because people in the community have chosen to support us.”

Noting it’s imperative that the French culture and language in the province is maintained, Lavack said CCFM provides an accessible platform for events and performers, as well as a gathering place for people.

“It’s a social hub and an artistic hub, and it gives people the ability to present themselves on stage. For example, there are lots of open mic nights,” Lavack said, noting she took part in weekly dance classes at the centre when she was a child.

Current visitors to the centre will also be able check out its 50^th anniversary-themed art exhibit called Cinquante.

Go online at ccfm.mb.ca for more information.