On Thursday, Aug. 17 Kootenay Savings Music in the Park welcomes fresh voices to the bandstand.
For over a decade, the Acadian trio Vishtèn has dazzled audiences with its fiery blend of traditional French songs and original instrumentals that fuse Celtic and Acadian genres with a modern rock sensibility and indie-folk influences. They have been recognized as an ambassador of Francophone culture around the world.
From their traditional roots, these three “high voltage musicians” have crafted a unique brand of neo-traditional music that combines extensive archival research, original compositions, traditional French Acadian songs and virtuosic instrumentals. The infectious rhythms of tapping feet and lilting mouth music blend seamlessly with the fiddle, guitar, accordion, octave mandolin, whistles, piano, bodhrán and jaw harp to offer a musical experience that illustrates their wide sense of the world and breathes new energy and beauty into traditional sounds.
The band has received four East Coast Music Awards, including “Roots/Traditional Group Recording of the Year” for Terre Rouge (2016), four Music PEI Awards and Québec’s Édith Butler Award in recognition of their contributions to la Francophonie Canadienne.
One of the most respected bands in the international folk music scene, Vishtèn tours extensively throughout North America, Europe and Australia. As they travel, members of Vishtèn share their pride in their Acadian heritage and deep knowledge of their respective traditions. Known as inspirational teachers, they offer workshops around the world and are regular instructors at several fiddle camps in North America.
Music in the Park is a weekly concert presented by Trail and District Arts Council, held at Trail’s Gyro Park every Thursday at 7 p.m. Bring a lawn chair. Admission is by donation ($2 minimum suggested). In the case of rain, Vishtèn will be held at The Bailey Theatre.
For a complete list of acts, dates and times please visit our events calendar at www.trail-arts.com.