Harbourfront Theatre
July 9, 10, 23 & 24; August 13, 14, 27 & 28
Performed by
Lennie Gallant (lead vocals, guitar, harmonica, bodhran), Jeremy Gallant (piano, keyboards, vocals), Jonathan Gallant (drums, percussion, mandolin, guitar, vocals), Patricia Richard (mandolin, bodhran, banjo, vocals), Sean Kemp (violin, vocals)
Written by
Lennie Gallant
Supported by
PEI visual artist and sister, Karen Gallant
The show
An amazing evening of Island songs and stories. Lennie Gallant, accompanied by his “blow-you-away band,” takes his audience on a musical journey (from folk to rock), sharing his heartfelt love for this island, its people and its history, together with a multimedia format that uses film and hundreds of paintings as background to the performance.
The Performance
Audiences were riveted to their seats, soaking up every word spoken, every joke shared and each note played. The multi-talented band does way more than “back up” Lennie Gallant, they are part of him. “Searching for Abegweit,” the subsequent recording, won the 2017 East Coast Music Award for Folk Recording of the Year. Lennie also received the 2017 ECMA Fan’s Choice Entertainer of the Year. He has been awarded the Order of Canada for his contribution to Canadian Culture. This musical and visual feast is a glowing tribute, by Lennie, not only to his hometown, Rustico, but a moving, proud tribute to his Acadian roots. He shares it all in songs like, “Back to Rustico” and “The Night They Moved the House.” The poignant tale of “Peter’s Dream” will leave a lump in your throat, “Tell Me a Ghost Story” will leave you laughing in the aisles and “The Band’s Still Playing” will have you on your feet.
Final Thoughts
Searching for Abegweit can be experienced at Harbourfront Theatre July 10, 23, August 13, 14, 27 and 28. Try to get there. Become part of the Abegweit experience. Abegweit, roughly translated from Mi’kmaq, is “cradled on the waves.” Come and find your peace.
