Bengal's Corner

(click image to see it larger)

The Cajun music group, The Savoy Family Cajun Band, will perform in concert with Yankee Chank, in Burlington, VT, on Sunday, 18 October 2009. Link.

After my critic last year, I decided to be more open-minded. I know Nicolas Boulerice and Olivier Demers look for new influences, new styles and new experiments to bring to the participants of this festival, that not necessarily is all about Quebecois trad music. Once prepared for new experiences, I went to Chants de Vielles 2009, in Calixa-Lavallée, QC.

The opening of the festival to the public this year was a surprise. Instead of a gathering of musicians playing and singing lyrics of 200 years ago, we had three very expressive guys and many curious metallic tools on stage. From hammers and chains to keyboard, the story-tellers Simon Gauthier, Marc St-Pierre and Jean-Marc Massie caught the attention of the entire French audience with their show Les Hommes à Scie. It's hard to comment on scenes since my French isn't enough to fully understand all the stories told that night - my comments would be completely out of contest, but surely I got the comments related to their performance of the American anthem.

This year for the first time, Le Vent du Nord performed on the festival organized by two of its members. This was the first time I saw live a LVDN show with Rejean Brunet, although I've seen the band playing in other contexts. They presented some songs of the new album coming soon. The impression of many is that the tunes are becoming less trad and with more influences from other styles. I'm waiting to check on the lyrics... maybe the band is giving to the stories of the old days a modern angle of view. Anyway, their new album is coming up this October 3rd. I'm very curious about it. I really liked the tune they sang acapella during the festival. I hope it's in the new CD.

Also this year at Chants, trad bands Ad Vielle Que Pourra, Dentdelion, Cercamon, Les Poules à Colin, Les Mononcles, Nightingale, among others, presented their tunes. I'm following the works of some of them for a while now and I enjoyed to see their shows. My personal favorite ones were Les Mononcles and Max Cohen and Donna Hébert. The Breton songs presented by Charles Quimbert and André Drumel at the church for the closure of the festival also charmed me. I need to research more the Breton music heritage...

Les Mononcles: Wow! I already knew the work of some of its members - well, basically 3 out 4 members of Mononcles are part of another trad band, Les Charbonniers de l'Enfer. This band performs trad music in acapella style and I saw their show (through video) in Paimpol, France. Because of that, I was very curious to go to Les Mononcles at Chants. And I wasn't disappointed at all. They are jazzy, they have great stage presence being so comfortable in front of the audience. Between their tunes, they always have funny stories to complement the performance, what gives the audience a feeling of a home party with people talking and playing right in your living room! Pity their work isn't easily accessible. They are not online yet but their album can be ordered here.

Max Cohen and Donna Hébert: I e-know them for a while now. Donna and Max do a great job presenting their work online, from tunes to scores to mp3 extracts... But that's not enough... you gotta see them live! Donna is a great fiddler! I basically cried when she played a particularly complex and difficult tune right in front of me. I barely could see her fingers... The audience stood up and applauded. Max on the guitar, performing with her, made everything look so easy I just wanted to jump on stage and play along... I was surprised and conquered by many of their compositions. Max tunes his guitar in an unusual way and his sensibility is transparent when he is playing. I left Calixa-Lavallée carrying their new work In Full Bloom - I highly recommend!

Apart the shows, the organization improved. The festival is getting bigger every year and more preparation is required. The area for parking expanded. Montreal pub brewer Dieu du Ciel took care of the drinks bringing their exotic flavors to the fest.

Another side of the festival that I enjoy in particular is the chance to meet with old friends: Liz, Sue, Shoja, Pam, Kara, Denis, Walt and so many others... also the chance to meet new ones like Anne, an esteemed reader that asked me few questions before planning her trip out to Quebec. Thanks Anne for the support! Also, my visit to Calixa-Lavallée, Chants de Vielles and Verchères (where I usually stay) has a special place in my heart since François and I met out there. This year we celebrated our 1-year anniversary, on site! :)

Productions Littorale vous convie à venir découvrir le conte, cette forme d’expression millénaire que, depuis plus de 17 ans, nous réactualisons pour tisser de manière contemporaine le fil d’une parole de partage, de rassemblement et de réjouissance. En plus de notre programmation régulière de l'automne, nous avons deux événements à ne pas manquer: Rencontre internationale sur Le Conte à Sherbrooke du 16 au 18 octobre 2009 et 17e édition du festival Les jours sont contés en Estrie du 22 au 25 octobre 2009. Info.

Feet of Flames
16th December - County Stadium, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 7.30pm
18th December - City Fulfillment Amphitheatre, Taichung, Taiwan, 7.30pm
19th-20th December - Arena, Taipei, Taiwan, 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Lord of the Dance
21st October - Frauenthal Theater, Muskegon, MI, USA, 7.30pm
22nd November - Memorial Hall, Pueblo, CO, USA, 7.30pm
18th February 2010 - Municipal Auditorium, Morganton, NC, USA, 7.30pm
21st February 2010 - Times Union Center, Jacksonville, FL, USA, 7pm

Spirit of the Dance
9th October - Schouwburg, Venray, Netherlands, 8pm
10th October - Fulcotheater, IJsselstein, Netherlands, 8.30pm
11th October - Theaterhotel de Oranjerie, Roermond, Netherlands, 8pm
13th October - De Hanzehof, Zutphen, Netherlands, 8pm
14th October - Agora Theater, Lelystad, Netherlands, 8.15pm
15th-16th October - Theater De Leest, Waalwijk, Netherlands, 8.15pm
17th October - De Meervaart, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 8.15pm
18th October - De Reehorst, Ede, Netherlands, 8.15pm

Riverdance
10th-12th November - Orpheum Theatre, Omaha, NE, USA, 7.30pm
13th November - Orpheum Theatre, Omaha, NE, USA, 8pm
20th-21st November - Lutcher Auditorium, Orange, TX, USA, 7.30pm
21st-22nd November - Lutcher Auditorium, Orange, TX, USA, 2pm

Fil Campbell, one of the best lady singers we have in Ireland is currently on a short USA tour and well worth catching up with.

Fil had a wonderful TV series here, on RTE, called "Songbirds" featuring music of pioneering women singers in Ireland from the 30s and 40s.

In the USA, her band includes Jay Ansell who is a great songwriter and multi instrumentalist musician who also does excellent covers of Robin Williamson Incredible String Band songs.

Fil's website for dates and some video clips of Fil performing.
video 1
video 2

John of Celtic Ways

My dear friend Gaétan sent out this message and I'm letting you all know, in case you are around this October 3rd...

Bonjour à tous

Je fait appel à vous tous pour m'aider à trouver un vidéaste;

Je suis en train de monter un événement; avec l'aide d'Étienne B. Denis, qui se tiendra le 3 octobre prochain à la Maison de la Culture de Donnacona, dans le comté de Portneuf.

Nous voulons faire sortir les derniers vieux joueurs de tambours à mailloche de la région de Portneuf et les faire jouer devant public en après-midi. En même temps ; une exposition d'anciens tambours sera présentée sur place. Par la suite ; nous pourrons voir des joueurs plus jeunes et plus modernes. Un spectacle de groupes de musique traditionnelle prendra le relais en soirée.

Nous recherchons une personne qui a des connaissances pour prendre des vidéos de cette journée ? Ce sera probablement une des dernières fois ou l'ancien son des tambours à mailloche prendra le plancher sur scène. Qui sait; peut-être pourra-t-on obtenir assez de matières pour en sortir un cd-rom qui serait disponible pour les archives de musique traditionnelle du Québec ?

Je vous remercie à l'avance ; pouvez-vous transférer ce message dans vos réseaux ?

Gaétan Morissette

418-286-2211 (maison)
418-380-2100 poste3287 (travail)

SLATED FOR SEPTEMBER 20

A Chicago Tribune article noted that Mattea, who has earned two Grammy Awards and enjoyed great success on the country music charts in the late 1980s and early 90s, “was always more literate folkie than mainstream country queen.” Her 2008 CD, "Coal" (Captain Potato Records), a heartfelt album of mining and mountain songs, is the West Virginia-born singer’s tribute to her Appalachian coal mining heritage. "Coal" was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Traditional Folk category. A CD review in American Songwriter said, “Mattea sings like a woman with a true understanding of the words”.

Schmidt is a versatile singer-songwriter whose discography embraces fourteen albums of mostly original songs. The San Francisco Chronicle’s Derk Richardson called her “contemporary folk music's front-line ambassador of wonder.” A reviewer for the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange found “a sense of adventure and integrity in every song she does. Schmidt’s voice has a strength and soul of its own”.

The humorous and engaging Canadian duo of Mark Haines and Tom Leighton perform original and traditional songs influenced by their Celtic and North American folk roots. When these high-energy multi-instrumentalists play multiple instruments at the same time, they sound more like a quartet or even, as the Toronto Sun observed, “a symphony orchestra”.

Slight Imperfection concert at Salem Roadhouse (family friendly!)
Saturday, September 19, 2009 7:30pm

Two full sets of original, celtic, and contemporary music with a lovely array of refreshments and home baked goodies!

Cost: $15
Salem Road House Cafe
(Townley Presbyterian Church)
829 Salem Road
Union, NJ 07083

Celtic Harp and Song (family friendly!)
November 5, 2009,Thursday, 7pm

Free concert!

Bound Brook Memorial Library
Somerset County Library System
402 E. High Street
Bound Brook, NJ 08805
(732) 356-0043


EVERY SUNDAY!

Cafe Monet's Evening of Celtic Harp Music
Sundays at 6:00 pm

Cost: No cover, BYOB ( Great Food and Fabulous Cappuccinos)

Cafe Monet
309 Millburn Ave
Millburn, NJ 07041

Reservations recommended (973)376-8555
(Please confirm music for this evening when calling)

For those of you around Vermont on Sunday 6th of September, take your time to enjoy this one-day festival in Randolph! It's the New World Festival, starting at noon and going into the night till midnight. A full day filled with Celtic and French Canadian music and dance!

Enjoy the performances of Les Batinses, Dent de Lion, Fiddleheads, Gadelle, Reveillons!, and many more... I know many of my friends will be around! Have fun!

Bengal.

Bonjour!

Here are four dates for your agenda.
Open sessions and musicians are welcome.

Bretonne Session
Friday, August 21.
All musicians welcome.

Irish Session
Friday, September 4.
All musicians welcome.

Two Extra Sessions

Irish Session
Thursday, August 27

Will Flewitt and girlfriend Sue from Brighton in East Sussex will play at the Le Cheval Blanc on Thursday 27 August. Sue plays fiddle and Will plays the Uilleann pipes and mandolin. Will and Sue would like to meet French musicians playing Irish music.

Scottish Session
Wednesday 2 Septembre
Andrew MacIntyre: small pipes and whistles
Ros Gasson: fiddle
Corinne Clarke: fiddle
Gordon Wilson: fiddle
Ann Ward: concertina and flute
Roy Carbarns: guitar
Marta McGlynn: concertina
Carol Rae: piano
Musiciens Bienvenue!


Merci pour votre soutien!
Thank you for your support!


A bientôt!

Micheál

Hotel Le Cheval Blanc
34, Rue de la Madeleine
22130 Plancoet
Brittany

Réveillons! is coming to the French Farmers Market on Saturday, Sept. 12!

They will be performing from 12:30 to 3 pm at River Island Park and from 5:30-8:30 at the Marketeers Reception to be held at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs School Hall (both located in Woonsocket, RI). Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Romeo Berthiaume
Northern RI Council of the Arts

Flames of the Dance
14th January 2010 - Theater Itzehoe, Itzehoe, Germany, 8pm
15th January 2010 - Neues Theater, Emden, Germany, 8pm
16th January 2010 - Stadthalle, Kleve, Germany, 8pm
17th January 2010 - Medio.Rhein. Erft, Bergheim, Germany, 7pm
19th January 2010 - CCN Weimarhalle, Weimar, Germany, 8pm
21st January 2010 - Stahlpalast, Brandenburg a. d. Havel, Germany, 8pm
22nd January 2010 - Kulturhaus Stadtgarten, Neuruppin, Germany, 8pm
23rd January 2010 - Kulturhaus, Bischofswerda, Germany, 8pm
24th January 2010 - Kulturzentrum, Wittenberg, Germany, 7pm
26th January 2010 - Kaiser-Friedrich- Halle, Mönchengladbach, Germany, 8pm
27th January 2010 - Stadthalle, Wilhelmshaven, Germany, 7pm
28th January 2010 - Stadthalle, Gifhorn, Germany, 8pm
29th January 2010 - Deutsches Haus, Flensburg, Germany, 8pm
30th January 2010 - Kolosseum, Lübeck, Germany, 8pm
31st January 2010 - Festhalle, Stadthagen, Germanym 8pm

Lord of the Dance
23rd November - Spencer Theatre, Alto, NM, USA, 7.30pm
19th January 2010 - De Geerhallen, Norrköping, Sweden, 7.30pm
29th April 2010 - Fisher Auditorium, Indiana, PA, USA, 8pm
1st May 2010 - Hershey Theatre, Hershey, PA, USA, 2pm & 8pm

Magic of the Dance
15th January 2010 - RAI Theater, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 8.15pm
13th February 2010 - Philharmonie am Gasteig, München, Germany, 8pm
22nd February 2010 - JAKO Arena, Bamberg, Germany, 8pm

Riverdance
18th-19th December - California Theatre of the PA, San Bernardino, CA, USA, 8pm
19th-20th December - California Theatre of the PA, San Bernardino, CA, USA, 2pm
20th December - California Theatre of the PA, San Bernardino, CA, USA, 7pm
23rd-24th February 2010 - Stadsschouwburg, Antwerpen, Belgium, 8pm
25th February 2010 - Kursaal, Oostende, Belgium, 8pm
26th February 2010 - De Soeverein, Lommel, Belgium, 8pm
27th February 2010 - Vorst nationaal, Brussels, Belgium, 8pm
28th February 2010 - Vorst nationaal, Brussels, Belgium, 2.30pm
6th-8th April 2010 - Stanley Center for the Arts, Utica, NY, USA, 7.30pm
9th-10th April 2010 - Hanover Theatre for the PA, Worcester, MA, USA, 8pm
10th April 2010 - Hanover Theatre for the PA, Worcester, MA, USA, 2pm
11th April 2010 - Hanover Theatre for the PA, Worcester, MA, USA, 1pm
11th April 2010 - Hanover Theatre for the PA, Worcester, MA, USA, 6.30pm

Spirit of the Dance
7th October - Southport Theatre, Southport, U.K., 7.30pm
13th October - Princess Theatre, Torquay, U.K., 7.30pm
14th October - Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone, U.K., 7.30pm
22nd October - Hexagon Theatre, Reading, U.K., 8pm

For complete schedule for these and other shows please visit our tour section at Celtic Cafe.

Quebecois composer / performer Jean-Paul Loyer is very ill at the moment and unlikely to recover. This was a message I received from Peter Jellard:

A quick message to let you know about Jean-Paul. We heard from Camille that he is in hospital in Joliette, in palliative care. She doesn't know how long he will be around, but says that it is a matter of weeks. Sounds like he still has his sense of humor, and is receiving good care.

Jean-Paul is best known for his CD OJNAB: Le Messager and his work with Andre Marchand in Detournement Majeur and Les Freres Labri. He has composed dozens of fantastic tunes on banjo and guitar.

Lisa Ornstein

Willie Beaudoin passed away this week. He was a wonderful guitarist and fiddle player, a member of the Beaudoin family of Burlington, Vermont. He had a long and full life, and was much loved by his family and friends.

Please visit the Obituary for WILFRED BEAUDOIN

Best,

Lisa Ornstein

Salut la compagnie!

Pour ceux qui restent dans la région de Québec, ou bien, même pour ceux qui restent un peu plus loin, je tiens à vous signaler du prochain spectacle solo a capella de Gérald Côté, le vendredi 14 août au cabaret l’Intendant (sur la rue en face de la gare du palais à Québec). Il y a un site Internet où vous pouvez le voir à l’affiche, www.intendant.net, et il y aussi la possibilité de réserver par téléphone.

Or, s’il y en a de ma région qui veulent y aller (car moi, je veux *vraiment* y aller), s.v.p., faites-moi signe et peut-être qu’on pourrait aller le voir ensemble. C’est tout d’abord une question de covoiturage (car c’est un peu long, aller tout seu' à Québec) mais si on se mettait à deux ou à trois, pour faire un ‘tit voyage de même, peu-être que ça pourrait faire l’affaire...!

En tous les car, sérieux, il faut aller voir Gérald en spectacle. Je l’ai vu une fois en 2007, et je peux vous dire qu’il donne tout de lui-même, corps et âme et voix! En d'autres termes, y'é bon, celui-là!

Salut ben vous autres!

Benoît

[Merci, Benoît!]

«Chante et conte» - Vendredi 14 août 20h

Gérald Côté: Né à Arthabaska quelque part dans les années cinquante, Gérald Côté a tout
pour sortir d’un conte de Louis Fréchette. Chanteur et déclameur avec une voix à débâcler des rivières, il livre a capella ses compositions et interprétations dans un style traditionnel disons très… personnalisé! Fin raconteur, il nous propose aussi un survol de sa vie en jobs, en voyages
mais surtout, en anecdotes sur ce qu’il a appelé : « son école de théâtre »c’est-à dire : ses trente ans passés comme préposé aux bénéficiaires dans une résidence de personnes âgées ou, devrait-on plutôt dire : de personnages âgés. En découle, une première pour lui qui en rêve depuis des années, un spectacle mis en scène par Michel Faubert, où se côtoient le rire et l’émotion mais aussi, le charisme d’un québécois haut en couleur.

The Sea Shanties festival of Paimpol (Festival du Chant de Marin) is starting tomorrow with many attractions for the visitors! I actually planned to be there but my vacation days didn't overlap unfortunately. I was so excited to be there and be part of this great event that counts with many great artists and many activities to everyone! Besides that, I would love to see François performing with the band Sol'Marin.

The festival counts with one night of celebration of Quebec culture, presenting many Quebecois Trad artists as Bernard Simard, Le Vent du Nord, Les Charbonniers de l'Enfer, and others.

Check out more names and references on the festival:

A musical journey towards America and some of the big names of overseas music such as Buena Vista Social Club, Lénine, Barbatuques, Mariana Caetano, Marissa Nadler… These bands will complete an already appealing programme: Yuri Buenaventura, Pascale Picard Band, Zachary Richard, Les Tambours du Bronx (Drums from the Bronx), Cocoon, Soft… and last but not least the icon of Rock, Marianne Faithfull.

There will also be a high quality programme of Breton music giving way to new talents (les Grooves Boys, Raggalendo, Skilda, Franci Jackson Project…) who will stand next to the one thanks to whom everything (re)started: Alan Stivell. Creations will also be part of the programme, those of the 40th anniversary of the ‘Bagad de Lokoal Mendon’ named « Kejaj », with numerous guests (Gilles Servat, Louise Ebrel, Pascal Lamour, Dom DufF, Pat o’May…).

Finally, there will be plenty of Sea Chanties, with the great seniors (Cabestan, Michel Tonnerre, Djiboudjep…) and the newcomers of the maritime scene, a creation by ‘Les Souillés de Fond de Cale’ with the ‘Bagad’ (traditional Breton music) of Plouha, and more than 50 bands and our special favourite: the Johnson Girls, breath-taking chanty-women coming from New York.

On August 7th, 8th and 9th, music and singing, but also the wooden vessels of the Navy will be on the front stage on the quays of Paimpol.

Dear all:

Thanks for staying tuned! I'm creating a group of lists to upload here: associations, bands, artists, etc. I started with a humble list of bands and artists, and obviously I didn't finish it yet. Anyone can tell many names that are out of it. But slowly I'll complete it. Of course, all of you can help me sending suggestions and links that you are missing. :)

Meanwhile, thanks for stopping by and I hope you are enjoying your visit!

Have a great weekend!

Bengal.

Festival Ma Rivière en Chanson

VENDREDI (Musique country)

16h00 - Bluegrass Saint-Côme
17h00 - Black Stallion
19h30 - Mot de bienvenue
20h00 - Manon Bédard
21h30 - Paul Dwayne

SAMEDI

10h00 - Tournoi de pétanque (Informations: Henri Dufresne 450-883-5646)
12h00 - Course de radeaux Les joyeux naufragés (Informations: Bertrand Riopel 450-883-1739)

Après-midi musique du monde

13h00 - Sakay Ottawa (Musique amérindienne)
15h00 - King Melrose (Musique blues)
17h00 - Jab Jab (Musique africaine, soca et reggae)

20h00 - Soirée Jeune Relève (Direction musicale François Marion)

DIMANCHE (Musique traditionnelle)

10h00 - Exposition de voitures anciennes (Stationnement du Centre de Loisirs Marcel Thériault)

11h15 - Messe à l’église
12h00 - Bernard Simard et compagnie
12h15 - Randonnée pédestre
13h00 - Baqqhus

13h00 - Course de canards sur la rivière L’Assomption accompagnée par le groupe
Le Beau, Le Gros, L’Agrément (Informations: André Riopel 450 883-5234)
14h00 - La Giroflée
16h30 - Hommage aux aînés

Flames of the Dance
2nd January 2010 - Theater am Marientor, Duisburg, Germany, 8pm
3rd January 2010 - City-Forum, Euskirchen, Germany, 7pm
4th January 2010 - Bürgerhalle, Coesfeld, Germany, 8pm
5th January 2010 - Forum, Leverkusen, Germany, 8pm
6th January 2010 - Stadthalle, Meschede, Germany, 8pm
7th January 2010 - Stadthalle, Northeim, Germany, 8pm
8th January 2010 - KiK Wernigerode, Wernigerode, Germany, 8pm
9th January 2010 - Bürgersaal im Stadthaus, Rotenburg-Wümme, Germany, 8pm
10th January 2010 - Aula des Gymnasiums a. Fredenberg, Salzgitter, Germany, 8pm
12th January 2010 - Kieler Schloss, Kiel, Germany, 8pm
13th January 2010 - Kongresshalle, Husum, Germany, 8pm

Lord of the Dance
16th October - Casino Rama, Rama, ON, Canada, 2pm & 9pm
17th October - Casino Rama, Rama, ON, Canada, 9pm
25th November - Fred Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA, 8pm
14th-15th May 2010 - Kimmel Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 8pm
15th May 2010 - Kimmel Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 2pm
16th May 2010 - Kimmel Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 1pm & 6.30pm

Magic of the Dance
26th December - CCS Stadtgarten, Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany, 8pm
30th December - Saalbau, Neustadt, Germany, 8pm
4th January 2010 - Musical Dome, Köln, Germany, 8pm
7th January 2010 - Paderhalle, Paderborn, Germany, 8pm
8th January 2010 - Westfalenhalle 3A, Dortmund, Germany, 8pm
9th January 2010 - Weser-Ems-Halle, Oldenburg, Germany, 8pm
10th January 2010 - Stadthalle, Ahlen, Germany, 8pm

Riverdance
30th September - Hala Tivoli, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 8pm
1st October - Hala Tivoli, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 8pm
1st-3rd December - Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth, TX, USA, 7.30pm
4th-5th December - Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth, TX, USA, 8pm
5th-6th December - Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth, TX, USA, 2pm
6th December - Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth, TX, USA, 7pm
26th-28th January 2010 - Orpheum Theatre, Phoenix, AZ, USA, 7.30pm
29th-30th January 2010 - Orpheum Theatre, Phoenix, AZ, USA, 8pm
30th-31st January 2010 - Orpheum Theatre, Phoenix, AZ, USA, 2pm
31st January 2010 - Orpheum Theatre, Phoenix, AZ, USA, 7pm
5th-6th February 2010 - Popejoy Hall, Albuquerque, NM, USA, 8pm
6th-7th February 2010 - Popejoy Hall, Albuquerque, NM, USA, 2pm
7th February 2010 - Popejoy Hall, Albuquerque, NM, USA, 7.30pm

Spirit of the Dance
28th-30th September - Theatre Royal, Brighton, U.K., 7.45pm
5th October - Hawth Theatre, Crawley, U.K., 7.30pm

For complete schedule for these and other shows please visit our tour
section at this link.

The "Hemisférios" tour is still on the road with concerts in Portugal, Germany, Poland and Malaysia.