Julien St-Jean
Mansfield et Pontefract Sept 26, 2021
To cap off the weekend’s Culture Day events, Esprit Rafting held a concert Sunday evening that featured performances from both Mamselle Ruiz and Michaela Cahill.
Cahill opened up the show, performing songs such as “Me and Bobby McGee” and “Folsom Prison Blues”. Ruiz later took stage to perform songs inspired by Latin rhythms, Latin American traditions and legends from Mexico, her home country.
The focus of Ruiz’s songs ranged from the moon and love to witches and even deforestation that she witnessed in Mexico.
Jim Coffey, owner of Esprit Rafting, explained that he wanted the event to have a tricultural focus, celebrating culture both in and out of the Pontiac.
“We move from one place to another and this is a fun way to connect to life outside the Pontiac,” said Coffey. “We’re excited, I think it’s a great opportunity to close our season.”
Coffey explained that for the event, Esprit got a special occasion liquor license to support L’EntourElle, a womens shelter for victims of violence or in difficulty. Proceeds raised from the bar went towards the shelter.
Ruiz explained that she hoped the audience had an opportunity “to have beautiful moments, to reconnect with themselves and dance a bit.”
It would seem her hopes were satisfied. During her performance, audience members clapped along to the rhythm of her songs, with a few even dancing on occasion.
“When you have these things in the Pontiac, support them,” said Jen Mielke at the event. “We’re big supporters of arts and culture in the Pontiac. To be able to expose people to various types of music and arts, it’s important.”
