This
Year's (2003) Guest Artists
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BARACHOIS
BARACHOIS (bara-shwa') Acadian word for - shallow pools of water separated from the sea by sand dunes - Barachois plays Acadian traditional music - a rhythmic, high-voltage style born in the heart of a culture kept alive through two and a half centuries on tiny Prince Edward Island, Canada. The songs were brought over from France with some of the first settlers in North America, and have been infused with other influences - most recognizably, the Scottish and Irish fiddling styles. The heartbeat of Barachois' music is what one writer calls the "bedevilled rhythms" inherent in the tunes. The voice is an energetic fiddle with a driving piano foundation. The music has been passed down through generation after generation by way of kitchen parties and community dances and gatherings. It is a musical genre all its own, filled with passion and life.
- Throw in some driving foot rhythms, piano, a plethora of home made percussion instruments, close harmonies and the occasional brass instrument and you have the spicy Acadian stew that Barachois puts on the boil for every performance. It's a stew well seasoned with laughter. Acadian parties are known for their warmth and humour - a welcome reward and a much needed respite from the daily business of raising a large family. The wit, charm, and even the antics that Barachois brings onstage is as much a part of their heritage as the songs they sing and the tunes they play. Their music is dished up with equal portions of dance, humour and innovation, all delivered with a sincerity and confidence that comes from knowing the recipe for having one heck of a good time.
- The members of Barachois are:
- Albert Arsenault - vocals,
dance, fiddle, bass, assorted percussion
- Hélène Arsenault-Bergeron (Albert's sister) - piano, vocals, dance, reed (pump) organ, guitar, foot percussion
- Louise Arsenault - fiddle, vocals, dance, harmonica, guitar, foot percussion
- Chuck Arsenault - vocals, guitar, harmonica, dance, sousaphone, trumpet
- Albert Arsenault - vocals,
dance, fiddle, bass, assorted percussion
- Performance highlights:
- Festival International de Louisianne; Canada Day on Parliament Hill (twice); Vancouver Folk Festival; Harbourfront Celtic Festival - Toronto (twice); Lincoln Centre - New York City; Festival du Voyageur -Winnipeg (twice); Confederation Centre of the Arts - Charlottetown (4 seasons); Lunenburg Folk Festival - Nova Scotia; Summerfolk - Owen Sound, Ontario; Tonder Festival - Denmark; Celtic Colours Festival - Cape Breton, Nova Scotia (twice); Lotus Dickey Festival - Indiana; Celtic Connections Festival - Glasgow, Scotland (twice); Old Songs Festival - Albany, New York; Francofolies - Montreal; Hagesund Roots Music Festival - Norway; Kihaus Festival - Raakkyla, Finland; Mosebacke -Stockholm, Sweden; Lowell Folk Festival - Massachusetts; Canmore Festival - Alberta; Edmonton Folk Festival - Alberta; WDR Weltmusik Festival - Bonn, Germany; Philadelphia Folk Festival - USA; Winnipeg Folk Festival; Cambridge Folk Festival - U.K.; Sidmouth Festival - U.K.
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Barachois wins The Irish American News' Tradition In Review Award for CONCERT OF THE YEAR - "Barachois at Milwaukee's Irish Fest. If you were there, you joined us on our feet at the end of eachshow.This is the most totally entertaining group we have ever seen perform in concert. They are from Prince Edward Island in Canada. Great musical chops,they are also hysterically funny. Terrific dancers.This quartet is so different and so special, they must truly be seen to be believed. Milwaukee must have them back- and don't miss them. Drive, fly, walk, crawl. But see this group!"....Bill Margeson, Irish News for Chicagoland, April 2002
