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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - 'Joie de vivre' is a French phrase meaning a joy for living. It's also the title of a festive concert touring the NWT.

Organized by the Federation Franco-Tenoise and funded by Canadian Heritage, the musical celebration honours the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City and the many francophone communities spread across the country.

La Bardasse are, clockwise from bottom left, bassist Rex Guetre, fiddler Gilles Crevier, drummer Norm St. Hilaire, guitarist Paul d'Eschambault and vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Jocelyne Baribeau. Drummer Ivan Burke will replace St. Hilliare during the band's Northern tour. - photo courtesy of La Bardasse

La Bardasse, a contemporary francophone folk band from the community of St. Boniface in Winnipeg, Man., will perform in Inuvik, Fort Smith, Hay River and Yellowknife this month. The band uses guitars, mandolins, a bodhran, a fiddle, piano, wooden spoons and a drum kit to deliver foot-stomping traditional Quebecois, Cajun and Acadian songs infused with a modern musical energy.

"The music's got a little bit of oomph to it," said guitarist Paul d'Eschambault.

The bandmates dress in traditional voyageur costumes designed after the styles worn in the 1815 fur trade when French traversed much of the country.

"For us it's really about the franco community of Canada," said La Bardasse vocalist Jocelyne Baribeau. "It's fun to keep the tradition alive and share it with people. It doesn't matter if you're in the North or anywhere in Canada - it's there."

The NWT is home to about 1,200 Francophones and about 3,700 residents are French speakers, said Dorice Pinet, touring co-ordinator with the Yellowknife-based federation.

The concerts, organized in collaboration with francophone cultural associations in the various communities, will also feature a travelling town crier dressed in period costume.

Francis Desilet of Montreal is scheduled to visit the communities to announce the news about Quebec's anniversary and the celebrations across the NWT. Desilet and La Bardasse will also visit various schools for interactive performances during their tour.

Students will be invited to dance, dress up and otherwise experience the fun of celebrating the richness of French Canadian history and culture.

The Joie de Vivre concerts are planned for 2 p.m. on Nov. 22 at Roaring Rapids in Fort Smith, 2 p.m. On Nov. 23 at the community hall in the recreation centre in Hay River, 7:30 p.m. On Nov. 27 at Sir Alexander MacKenzie school in Inuvik and 9 p.m. On Nov. 29 at the Royal Canadian Legion in Yellowknife.