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Vous êtes un(e) artiste ?
Vous dansez, vous jonglez, vous chantez,
vous jouez de la musique, vous dessinez, vous photographiez,
vous peignez, vous faites de la poterie, vous jouez la
comédie… Bref, vous êtes artiste ? L’Association des
francophones de Nanaimo a besoin de vous ! Envoyez-nous
votre portfolio, vos démos ou autres et nous vous ajouterons
à notre banque d’artistes locaux. Quand nous aurons besoin
d’engager des artistes locaux, nous penserons à vous avant
tout! |
 SUROÎT’s
four musicians are all native of the Magdalene Islands, an
archipelago in the middle of the Gulf of St Lawrence, at
Acadia’s crossroads. It is there that their ancestors
settled down to live after the 1755 Deportation. The name
Suroit was chosen to recall the south-west wind which, in
their country, protects against the open sea sprays and
brings good weather.
Playing over a thirty instruments – from bones to washboard,
through violin and bagpipe – they sweep up their audience
with their fiery and jolly spirit, thus raising the
temperature by a couple degrees. Just like the “suroît”
wind. We find Irish and Cajun sounds, hitting other tunes
with electronic lightning. Suroit’s charm and uniqueness are
a result of a successful marriage of traditional music’s
purified style, with modern contemporary sounds.
Suroît's Website |
 From
the Marc Escarbot theatre in Church Point to the
International Festival of Shanghai, Patrice Boulianne, alias
BLOU, continues sowing his unique style — a style so
different we had to invent a word to describe it — ACADICO.
Like a hurricane BLOU stormed into the Nova Scotia scene in
1994. The Acadian people fell in love immediately with this
band, affectionately named after a First Nations man who
lived at the end of Patrice’s street: "L’ALLÉE DES BLOU".
BLOU has received nominations at the Music Industry of Nova
Scotia for "the Group of the Year". Now recognized equally
well among francophones and anglophones, Patrice Boulianne
has made it his trademark to promote Acadian culture
wherever he travels. The history of BLOU does not stop here!
He intends to forge ahead with his unique musical style for
many years to come!
Blou's Website |
 WAYLON THIBODEAUX is a young Cajun with an innate musical talent
that can be seen in the performance of his Louisiana, Cajun
and Zydeco music. His style of high-energy, toe-tapping
music will certainly liven up any audience. Waylon began
playing professionally at the age of thirteen. He has had
the opportunity to perform with nationally and
internationally renowned musicians and groups, including
Tony Orlando, Jimmy C. Newman, Beau Soleil, Jo-El Sonnier,
Wayne Toups, and Bruce Daigrepont.
Born in Louisiana's "Bayou Country" just a few miles
southwest of New Orleans, Houma native Waylon Thibodeaux,
has been dubbed "Louisiana's Rockin' Fiddler". Today, this
talented, self-taught Cajun musician has gained a notable
reputation as one of Louisiana's best known recording
artists. His rollicking, crowd-pleasing performance on stage
is exactly what one would expect from someone who, at age
16, was Louisiana's state fiddle champion. He never fails to
serve up a good helping of spicy, high-energy Louisiana and
Cajun/Zydeco music that's sure to get you on your feet and
dancing." Fiercely proud of his Acadian heritage, he keeps
his home base in southeast Louisiana, always striving to
perfect his style of music. His is always a "must see"
performance. Having played for years to filled-to-capacity
crowds on New Orleans' famous Bourbon Street, Thibodeaux has
literally entertained people from all over the world. Any
way he plays it, Thibodeaux's music certainly gets one's
attention.
Waylon Thibodeaux's Website |
Acadian
Party Music from Atlantic Canada
The VISHTEN group was formed on
Prince Edward Island, in the Canadian Maritimes, at the
beginning of the new millennium by traditional Acadian
musicians/dancers Pastelle and Emmanuelle LeBlanc.
Vishten’s music is a hardy mixture of the French, Irish and
Scottish styles of Eastern Canada, with fiery fiddling and
powerful step dancing taking front and center. Their stage
show re-creates the joy and energy of the “kitchen party,”
the informal community gatherings where all are welcomed to
sing, play and dance. The rhythms and melodies are
inseparable, and reflect a special joie de vivre unique to
the Acadian culture, with flying fingers, tapping feet, and
an unabashed sense of celebration.
On stage, they work with individual wooden “blocs” that they
sit on, dance and play on top of, and use as percussion
instruments with both their hands and feet. Audiences are
struck by their whirlwind energy, dancing as they play, and
the unbridled enthusiasm they feel for their native culture.
As they like to say, wherever Vishten goes, a party is sure
to follow.
Vishten's Website
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A
dynamic artist who can captivate his audience throughout his
performance, ART RICHARD’S entertainment skills will have
you dancing on your chairs. His children’s show can be
performed in French or in English, as he is fluently
bilingual. This professional artist performs traditional and
original sing-alongs. His foot tapping, the traditional way
while, playing the accordion or guitar will leave you
wanting to play along. His shows are entertaining,
educational and interactive. We invite you to come and play
wooden spoons and washboard with us on stage! Art has six
CDs and two DVDs!
Art Richard's Website |
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ATAENSHA PRODUCTIONS INC. WORLD ARTISTS, Wendake,
Québec
 ATAENSHA
PRODUCTIONS INC.’s mission is to gather the drummers of
the world to create a common beat to unite the world’s
peoples so that they can have a greater understanding of
each other and to help save Mother Earth. The drum was
the first instrument used to assemble human beings and
thus plays an essential role in fulfilling the Ataensha
group’s mandate. If you take this message of unity to
heart, please join us! ATAENSHA PRODUCTIONS INC. from
Wendake invites you to join them they walk hand in hand
to support global unity. By uniting with other
countries, we can work together for lasting world peace.
Cofounder Ms. Line Romain Descombes brings several years
of artistic experience and passion to  ATAENSHA
PRODUCTIONS INC. She possesses a strong desire to share
her First Nation’s culture to other First Nations and
countries. Mr. Komi Jude Gbekou, cofounder and artistic
director, whose professionalism further adds to this
vision, has steadfastly worked to achieve this global
vision. An artist possessed of multiple talents, he has
worked 15 years as a musician, singer, percussionist,
and artistic director for both d'ATAENSHA PRODUCTIONS
INC. and the Ataensha group.
Ataensha's Website
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LES CORNOUILLERS (The French name for BC's provincial
flower, the dogwood) is a group specializing in French-Canadian
traditional dance. This group has existed for two generations.
The current group was created in 1991 as a result of former
dancers reuniting for the 50th anniversary of the Société
francophone de Victoria. Since then, Les Cornouillers
has become the largest French-Canadian traditional dance
group in British-Columbia. We offer performances of traditional
dances, participatory dance sessions for adults and children,
and workshops in traditional dance.
Les Cornouillers' Website |
 THE NANAIMO FIDDLE ENSEMBLE is the newest string ensemble at the Nanaimo Conservatory of Music, offering intermediate and advanced players a chance to explore traditional fiddle music from around the world. In addition to playing tunes from Ireland, Scotland, Scandinavia and Cape Breton, the Fiddle Ensemble enjoys playing Quebecois tunes both old and new. Their repertoire offers tunes drawn from the rich and vibrant fiddle traditions of Quebec, arranged by the group's director, Trish Clair Peck..
Nanaimo Fiddle Ensemble's Website |
SAND NORTHRUP, a remarkable one-woman circus that features acrobatics, juggling, unicycling and clowning around by Filetta the Fish. Her popularity is due, in part, to her ability to let the children who participate be the stars of the show.
Sand Northrup's Website
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 The Earth Wizards Starchild & Company
Clowns, mimes, face-painters, storytellers, puppeteers, magicians, dancers, poets, jugglers, balloon sculptor, lovers of the earth, if it has to do with whimsical, delightful entertainment The Earth Wizards offer it.
Singer/songwriter FANNY STARCHILD combines her solid musical skills and theatrical talents with gifted Caribbean composer and arranger VEGARI CENDAR, who in turn adds his own Calypso, Raggae, Latin and Pop/Rock influences to the mix, both dazzling audiences of all ages. Drawing from their CD " Magic is in the Air", they sing in English and French involving their audience with movements, hand clapping and lots of sing along fun. Warmth and joyful energy is the key to this delightful duo that enjoys an enthusiastic following along the West Coast.
Starchild & Company' Website |
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 WIND WEAVER Terry Mack, Native American Flute Player and enthusiast, has
a found a way to free the music in her soul. The haunting
sound of the flutes is what called Terry to pick up her
first native american flute and begin playing in 2005. Her
music offers a unique blend of sounds and styles taking the
listener on a soundscape journey that touches both heart and
soul. Terry often works with guitarist Paul Bezooyen of the
Hermits Music. |
Let
me introduce
Twister...
Tourbillon
TOURBILLON (Marcel the Twister) got his start
performing at the age of 6 when he was given a magic stand
with the words "The Great Marcello" imprinted on it. He
practiced diligently trying follow in the footsteps of Harry
Houdini and Doug Henning. In the 5th grade he was juggling
anything that was not nailed down. He went on to perform for
family, friends and anyone else who would watch. As a child
he dreamed of joining the circus, today Marcel is an
elementary school teacher in the Performing Arts (a
different kind of circus of sorts). In the last few years he
has pulled his skills together to create Twister the Clown.
Marcel enjoys wearing two hats as a professional teacher and
a clown.
• Balloon Twisting
• Crazy Juggling
• General Buffoonery
• Sing-a-longs
Tourbillon's Website |
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QRISTINA AND QUINN BACHAND |
Born
and raised in Victoria, BC, Canada, QRISTINA AND QUINN BACHAND come
from a family with a strong musical heritage that has deep
roots in France and Northern Spain. Individually, they are
exceptional instrumentalists, combined, their spirit of
spontaneous fun emerges and the jigs, reels & fiddle tunes
heat up!
Qristina & Quinn Bachand have
performed at Folk Festivals across Canada as well as in
Europe. In July 2008 Qristina and Quinn released their much
anticipated full length debut CD, "RELATIVE MINORS" which
features 16 tracks and over 45 traditional & original tunes.
Qristina and Quinn have been
receiving rave reviews from audiences everywhere,
consistently delivering a spirited performance that features
their enthusiasm and love of Celtic music. The duo is
thrilled to be back at the Nanaimo Maple Sugar Festival du
Sucre d’Érable de Nanaimo for a third consecutive year!
Qristina and Quinn Bachand's Website
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LISON CLOCHETTE is a modern day troubadour, singer-songwriter, and clown. Her mission is to recreate a circus ambience in all of her performances, while serving up a joie de vivre that invites all hearts into her celebration of song, dance, humour and laughter. Clochette has been on this joyous adventure for more than 20 years. |
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 NOVA is a five-year-old little girl.
She loves to sing and dance with her mom ISA and her dad
CHOU. Nova’s Mom, Isa, is a singer/songwriter known as one
of the most influential francophone artists in Western
Canada. Her dad, Chou, is musical director and pianist
Jonathan Benny – both of whom are well known on the chanson
music scene in France and in Canada. Together, they wrote
“Chansons de Grenouilles - Frog Songs,” a show and new album
of original and traditional French Canadian and French
children’s songs.
Nova, Isa and Chou's Website |
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LA GRANDE COULÉE / THE MAPLE MAN |
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On the Trail of René Turmel
 Following in the footsteps of his ancestors, René Turmel,
alias the Maple Man, discovered the West just as his
predecessors did. A third-generation maple producer from the
Turmel family, René returned to work in British Columbia
every year. Once he understood the temperature, mountains,
lakes, fruits, as well as the ambience in summer, René chose
the Okanagan Valley as home. For the past 20 years, he has
criss-crossed the Canadian West, sometimes planting trees,
sometimes picking fruit. Today, he continues his Western
journey by sharing his passion for the maple tree, still
considered a mystery by many British Columbians. Thanks to
his business, LA GRANDE COULÉE/THE MAPLE MAN, René has
been touring Canada for the past five years with his
traveling show, spreading his knowledge across the country
about traditional sugar shacks. Follow the adventures of La
Grande Coulée with the Maple Man! Having lived through a
thousand and one experiences all across Canada, he will
transport you in a unique way through the different tasks he
performs all year long.
The Maple Man, the Man Behind the
Legend...
La Grande Coulée's Website |
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 Internationally
renowned, this warm and charismatic U-PHORIA bilingual duo combines
music, movement and heart to bring your festival to a peak
of joy and celebration... Fanny Starchild and Vegari
Cendar bring together their musical skills and theatrical talents
to dazzle and entertain children of all ages.
Come and have
fun with us!
Please see Starchild's Website
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Alexandre was born in Montmagny on July 13, 1993. He is
15 years old.
 ALEXANDRE BOIVIN-CARON has been playing diatonic accordion since age 10. He has released two compact discs. A third disc, which will feature two of his three own compositions, will be released shortly. Alexandre is becoming well-known throughout our beautiful région and elsewhere throughout Quebec. He performed with the great Québécois folk music pioneer, Yves Lambert from La Bottine Souriante, at a concert in Québec City presented by L’Association Québécoise des Loisirs Folkloriques (The Québec Folk Arts Association). Alexandre also became part of Mr. Pointu’s Découvertes (Discoveries) group, culminating in Alexandre winning an award. Alexandre has also participated in an épisode of La Cours des Grands, which presented  his attendance at a four-week camp with Grégory Charles. Alexandre was selected to attend from among 7,000 seven- to fourteen-year-old youth, after passing an audition. Alexandre will be accompanied on the piano by Mr. Raynald Ouellet of Montmagny, Québec. Raynald Ouellet is best known for his musical instrument of choice, the diatonic accordion, integral in traditional Québécois folk music. A master accordionist for 30 years, Raynald Ouellet has achieved professional artistic success in Québec and elsewhere throughout the world. He has composed music as well for a number of groups from Québec. He is one of the founding members of the Carrefour mondial de l'accordéon (World Accordion Centre) and of the Musée de l'accordéon de Montmagny (Montmagny Accordion Museum). |
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BIJOUX DU BAYOU has been established for a full decade spreading the "bon temps" of Zydeco, Cajun, Acadian and similarly unique styling’s. If you haven't been exposed to these musical styles you are in for both a treat and a discovery.
Come see them perform at the Nanaimo Art Gallery on February 19!
Bijoux de Bayou's Website |
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 Fiddle master Calvin Vollrath said, "The kids are amazing in what they have accomplished at such a young age." Kai and Lia have been performing as the FIDDLIN' FRENZY (aka Old Time Fiddle Kids) playing from jazz, traditional, bluegrass, roots to classical music at numerous festivals and gatherings repeatedly for a few years now and are always a hit. They have been nominated for the Abbotsford Arty Award. They are also a "Face of Abbotsford" who represents Abbotsford's art and culture. Both started learning classical music at age 4 but soon discovered the fiddle. These two young fiddlers are classical violin prodigies, they also do clogging dance, play piano and Lia is an accomplished cellist too. They are BC and Grand North American fiddle champions who won countless competitions around North America.
Flddlin' Frenzy's Website |
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BOLT THE DOOR / BARRE LA PORTE |
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 BOLT THE DOOR / BARRE LA PORTE brings together a diverse collection of musical influences, from French and English Canadian folk, to Celtic, Bluegrass and Cajun music, and beyond. Jacques Léger is the band’s lead vocalist, guitarist and percussionist; Rory Dafoe plays Irish Bouzouki, Weissenborn slide guitar and banjo; Rhonda Schultz is on fiddle; and Frank Sehr adds bass and guitar. A tasty assortment of songs, instrumentation, harmonies and rhythms make Bolt the Door / Barre la Porte an exciting musical ride. |
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