Chic Gamine November 20, 2008

Chic Gamine, one of Canada’s brightest stars of a capella vocal music, leads a fantastic journey through the world of song…with a stylish French Canadian twist. The group appears in two performances of traditional and world music as part of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center’s Footlights series.

Blending soul, roots, gospel, and world music, this energetic Winnipeg/Montreal-based vocal quintet infuses its performances with passion and humor. The group is composed of the 5 "A's": singers Ariane Jean, Andrina Turenne, Alexa Dirks and Annick Bremault, and drummer and percussionist Alexandre Sacha Daoud.

Radio Canada says, “Chic Gamine is the new black. They are so strong individually, that seeing them together left me completely flabbergasted. They are a musical tempest. Chic Gamine's live performance made me feel that I had just witnessed a very important musical moment. Bravo!"

With a solo percussionist as their main musical support, Chic Gamine use their voices as instruments, effortlessly launching into intricate string arrangements, bass-heavy rhythm sections and lush harmonies. Writing and arranging much of their own material, these talented musicians create a sound that resonates with soul, passion, and an unabashedly random and sometimes downright peculiar brand of humor that reels audiences in and leaves them begging for more. Gospel, Soul, R'n'B, '50s Doo-Wop, Brazilian forro and French chanson are infused into the voices and rhythms of these five effervescent songmakers, combining for a sound that is uniquely Chic Gamine.

For Ariane, Andrina, Alexa, Annick and Sacha, Chic Gamine is a chance to take their love of experimenting with vocal roots music and bring it to a whole new level. "We're really drawing inspiration from the music we love, as well as from the music we've performed before." After spending years traveling with other singing groups, Chic Gamine is ready to take on the world. "Now that we've got such a solid starting point, the sky's the limit."

With just one year under their fashionably coordinated belts, they have put together a dynamic show; recorded and released their first record, the self-titled Chic Gamine, and performed all over North America. Highlights include The Winnipeg Folk Festival, The Strawberry Festival, California World Fest, and opening for the legendary Smokey Robinson at the Festival at Sandpoint, Idaho. Last month, Chic Gamine was nominated for two 2008 Canadian Folk Music Awards: Vocal Group of the Year and New/Emerging Artists of the Year.

Reserve your tickets for either show by calling the Arts Center at 920-458-6144. For more information, visit www.jmkac.org/ChicGamine.

Official Website: http://www.jmkac.org/ChicGamine