FRENCH CANADIAN BAND, LE VENT DU NORD, CONTINUES
SMITH OPERA HOUSE WORLD MUSIC SERIES
The best is world music returns to Geneva when Le Vent du Nord bring their animated and energetic blend of traditional and original French Canadian roots music to the Smith Opera House. This is the second concert in the theater's 2008 "Passport World Music Series."
Le Vent du Nord, a young quartet of singers and multi-instrumentalists, captures the energy and mirth of a Saturday night kitchen party, infusing old Quebec with a breath of fresh, cosmopolitan air. Their latest album, "Dans les airs," meshes old songs they learned from the forgotten songkeepers of French Canada -- including a school janitor on Cape Breton -- with their own reels and tunes inspired by family traditions and the sounds of Ireland, Scotland, and medieval France. Its a Saturday night get-together with a gently modern twist.
With crowds regularly dancing in the aisles, one of the groups many strengths is their animated stage presence: dynamic, generous and in touch with the audience. They sing originals and songs taken from the traditional repertoire, in their native French, to the delight of their audience for whom it is more often than not a foreign language.The music and energetic performance break down any language barriers.
Tickets are $15 general admission. Series subscriptions are also available for $45 -- four shows for the price of three. Series subscribers also enjoy the benefit of the "Passport Ticket Exchange" whereby if they are unable to attend a particular performance, they can use the ticket for another performance, give it to a friend, or invite a guest to attend a future performance. Doors open at 7 for the 8:00 show.
Sponsored by the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors, the 2008 "Passport World Music Series"continues on April 12 with the Santa Cruz River Band and on April 26 with The McDades.