Vishten
Wednesday Aug 11, 2010 : $20 + taxes TIME: 8 p.m.

The Award-winning Celtic-Acadian Foursome Will Rock the Harmony House Stage!

There's an old saying that goes something like, “Go out and make your mark in the world exploring the new ways but don't turn your back on your roots”. The members of Vishten have been doing just that for the past seven years, touring their brand of new-traditional Acadian music in over 1000 performances rendered in 8 different countries.

Made up of seventh generation Acadians living separate but parallel musical experiences, twin sisters Pastelle and Emmanuelle LeBlanc from Prince Edward Island, Canada have teamed up with Pascal Miousse and Louis-Charles Vigneau from the nearby Magdelene Islands to create a sound that incorporates elements of the new ways while retaining and staying true to the essential Acadian spirit of their roots. The sound is essentially Celtic but with a difference. The songs are French, sung by each band member, alone or in four part harmony. The foot percussion drives the rhythm in a fiddle tune at times yet refrains itself in the gentler musical moments.

The band members are accomplished multi-instrumentalists and step-dancers incorporating the fiddle, guitar, accordion, penny-whistle, banjo, mandolin, piano, jaw-harp and bodhran into each performance. They are surely making their mark in the world today as their musical maturity comes through to captivate audiences wherever they play.

Opening the show is Chris Gauthier. Originally from North Rustico, PEI, Chris Gauthier has been performing as a musician for almost two decades, playing on stages across the province and the rest of Canada. After an inspiring trip to Scotland, Chris discovered traditional Celtic music and fell in love with the melodies of the ancient lands. A few years ago, he started practicing the art of Celtic finger style guitar, connecting himself with his Acadian heritage and has so far played a handful of solo performances.

Chris is currently living and working as a freelance musician and recording artist, playing with songwriters such as Catherine MacLellan, Mitch Schurman and Leon Gallant.

Quotes on Vishten...

“The burning fires of Acadia.” - Le Télégramme, Lorient, France

“It’s like Buckwheat Zydeco meets the Irish. The first time I saw them, I loved them!” - Pittsburg Irish Festival

“ They made a bang! The musicians of this group set a beautiful ambiance Friday night . . .we look at them expressing themselves on stage with fresh and impressing energy.” - L’éveil, Pont-Audemer, France

“Acadian and Celtic roots, new spirit, foot percussion that is almost rock, drives this Acadian band from two sister islands - Prince Edward Island and the Magdelene Islands. These young francophone musicians have impregnated their traditional repertoire of all the richness of their heritage that distinguishes the character of the east coast on this continent.” - Alain Brunet, La Presse, Montréal