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We are very happy this month to showcase some very talented young musicians from the West Island Youth Symphony Orchestra. Shannon Bouchard is principal flute with the Orchestra and the winner of the 2007 Concerto Competition. Daniel Fuchs, principal second violin, won the Competition in 2006, in addition to numerous other distinctions and awards. Shannon and Daniel will each play a movement of their concerto, and then present a little surprise to show that their talents extend well beyond their own instrument and the realm of classical music! Find out more about the Orchestra at www.osjwi.qc.ca.
Bonnie Ste-Croix is a Gaspé native who now makes Vancouver, British Columbia her home. We are thrilled that she has chosen to include the Side Door as part of a performance and festival tour that will take her across Canada and the United States. A prolific and introspective writer, Bonnie’s style and voice has been likened to Sarah McLachlan. Her first album, Flying High, was played by radio stations around the world. In 2007, she released another CD, Here I Am, to great acclaim. She has performed all over North America, including at this year’s International Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis Tennessee. Check out her space at www.myspace.com/bonniestecroix. 4 Strings and a Squeeze Box is the group of our good friend Adrien Doucette. We’ve been after him to perform at the Side Door for a couple years now, so we’re thrilled that we finally talked him into it. Adrien has been entertaining folks in the Eastern Townships, the Chateauguay Valley and the Island of Montreal with his sea shanties and Maritime ballads since 1967. Joe Byrde, a Newfoundland sidekick living in Chateauguay, has been with Adrien most of this time adding to the fun with his remarkable memory for tunes on his accordion. Bob Davis on bass and Randy Merlin on mandolin (from Hemmingford) add to the sound and voice. Both are in their own bands of Country and Rock and Roll. A recent addition, Champion fiddler Erin Kelly from Chapeau, Quebec, joins the group as the fourth string thus completing the band’s name. And on this special occasion, Leigh Redding from Plain Folk will be backing up the group on the bodhràn. Get ready to clap, sing and dance! This is Rob Lutes’ second appearance at the Side Door and he’s been busy in the intervening years! Rob’s soulful lyrics and vocals, deftly married with his indelible melodies and accomplished musicianship, have established his reputation as a performer of note and earned him a following in Canada and the US as a roots musician of substance. Maritime-born but based in Montreal, Rob is the winner of several prestigious songwriting awards and has played in countless festivals, including the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the Ottawa BluesFest and the Stan Rogers Festival. He has also been featured in various Canadian television appearances and national radio broadcasts, and has had several of his songs recorded by other artists. He has released three CD's, Gravity in 2000, Middle Ground in 2002 and Ride the Shadows in 2006. Visit his website at www.roblutes.com. |
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