Bodh’aktan, Margaret Almer Return, New Acts Coming to World Showcase for Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival

WDWNT on August 29, 2017

In addition to the “Eat to the Beat” Concert Series, featuring 11 new artists, guests will also want to look for new and returning acts in World Showcase at Epcot during this year’s Food and Wine Festival.

Suroît – New to Epcot, this renowned band hails from Canada’s Magdalen Islands in eastern Quebec. For four decades, their infectious sound has embraced influences from Cajun, Celtic, bluegrass and rock music. Join Suroît on the Mill Stage at the Canada pavilion, August 31 – October 1.

Margret Almer & The Bavarian Band – World-famous yodeler Margret Almer makes an encore appearance at Epcot this fall. She’ll be performing with The Bavarian Band at the Germany pavilion, beginning August 31 and continuing through the holiday season.

Musique Aramenco – Another returning favorite takes the stage at the Morocco pavilion September 1 – December 30. Musique Aramenco presents a fusion of traditional and modern Moroccan music.

Bodh’aktan – Back by popular demand, Bodh’aktan mixes Quebecois, folk and polka to make fantastic rock and dance music. After rocking stages across Quebec, the United States and Europe, this incredibly popular, kilted band is returning for an Epcot encore at the Canada pavilion October 2 – 22.

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Raffy – This musical quartet makes their Epcot debut October 23 – November 26 on the Mill Stage. Raffy’s infectious energy has been embraced across Canada through a live tour, appearances on television and radio airplay of their first hit single.

VIDEO: Bodh’aktan Brings Celtic Rock Back to Epcot’s Canada Pavilion

WDWNT on October 24, 2016

After presenting concerts in Quebec and Europe all summer, Celtic rock band Bodh’aktan is performing for two periods of 20 days at Epcot in October and January. Bodh’aktan performs for 20 minutes every hour or so, five days a week, as part of this contract.

Bodh'aktan at Epcot's Canada pavilion stage

Bodh’aktan at Epcot’s Canada pavilion stage

I went to check out the band yesterday, now reaching the end of their October run at the park. As many of you know, I was a HUGE fan of Off Kilter and was fairly devastated when the group was made to leave Epcot back in 2014. I have not been a fan of any of the replacement acts at the Mills Stage since then, and not just because they just weren’t my beloved Off Kilter, but mostly because they just weren’t good. This honestly is the best act that has played the stage since then. See for yourself:

While not a permanent replacement for the revolving Canada stage, it is a more-than-enjoyable temporary offering. If they sang in English more often, I think they would connect to a bigger audience of guests, but they made it this far with what they do, so why change it I guess. I’m not saying I am closed-minded enough to only enjoy English lyrics, but I feel like the intermittent playing of songs that might be recognizable to guests works well in a theme park setting. Regardless, the talent of the group breaks through the language barrier and delivers a really fantastic 20-minute musical act.

Alberta Bound will be returning to the Mills Stage until the holiday season kicks off. The Holiday Voyageurs will perform during Holidays Around the World in-between these two 20-day stands for Bodh’aktan.

Disney wanted the band to sign a 6 month contract, but they declined as they did not want to be that far from their families for that long of a period. This is a real shame because this is a good group of musicians that I think could find a great permanent home at Epcot.