Singer Mimi O’Bonsawin returns to Sudbury to perform at French Fest
A Sudbury singer who now lives in the Ottawa Valley is returning to her hometown to perform at this year's French Fest.
Mimi O’Bonsawin, alongside her husband who plays the drums, will be performing songs from her latest album.
Born and raised in Sudbury, O’Bonsawin has been singing for as long as she can remember.
“I came into this world with music because I would sing before I could speak and I’ve always been a performer," she said.
"I’m really grateful that my parents nurtured that in me and kind of allowed me to embrace that … I love performing and creating music and being on a stage.”
O’Bonsawin will release her sixth album, called 'Willow,' next March.
“It’s a collection of songs that are really diverse," she said.
"It’s songs that I’ve carried on tour with me for a couple years and there’s a couple new ones."
One of the new songs is ‘I Am Alive,’ which features a music video shot in what she calls her "happy place" close to Manitoulin Island.
“We had a cottage in Birch Island and I spent my whole childhood summers there and that’s had a huge impact on me and my music," O’Bonsawin said.
"We wanted to shoot the video in a place that I love and I’ve known my whole life on this beautiful hike in McGregor Bay on Lake Huron ... It was a song that really wanted to celebrate life and all the beautiful things in it.”
O’Bonsawin will be singing at this year's French Fest, which kicks off Thursday in Sudbury.
She said she’s looking forward to the experience because it has been years since she has performed in her hometown.
“I am so excited to be home and playing a concert for my beautiful community," said O’Bonsawin.
"I’ve been welcomed with open arms into the Francophone community and it makes me feel really good. I sing not only in French and not only in English but I like to blend the two.”
“So, storytelling will be in French tomorrow night but the songs are going to be a variety of things,” she added.
O’Bonsawin takes to the stage at Place des Arts Thursday evening beginning at 7 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.