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MILFORD, Pa. — Genticorum, the Quebec band that has become a fixture in the world, traditional, folk and Celtic music scenes, will perform at the Milford Theatre June 24 at 4 p.m. Tickets cost $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
Composed of Pascal Gemme, Alexandre de Grosbois-Garand and Yann Falquet, Genticorum performs music that evokes Celtic reels, French chansons and Cajun hijinks. The Celtic reels may be a bit surprising, coming from a French-singing group, but a lot of Scots settled in eastern Canada, too. As for the Cajun connection, French Canada is the place from which Louisiana's "Cajuns" (the word "Cajun" comes from "Acadians") emigrated. Its members play guitar, bass, fiddle, Jew's harp, and flute; they stamp percussive rhythms while singing powerful two- and three-part vocals. No wonder the Washington Post said that their music "sounds as if it were made by six people, not three."
The group has been together for 10 years, during which it has performed throughout Europe and North America. Genticorum has also recorded four albums, most recently Nagez Rameurs ("Rowers Swim"). At the recent Canadian Folk Music Awards presentation, Nagez Rameurs won Traditional Album of the Year and Genticorum was named Ensemble of the Year. Their music can be sampled at www.kindredspiritsprograms.org and www.genticorum.com.
"Genticorum plays its Celtic-rooted Francophone hybrid with the combination of restraint, drive and exuberance that distinguishes the best traditional bands in the world," wrote Kevin R. Convey of the Boston Herald, comparing them with the legendary Bothy Band and the House Band. Reviewing Genticorum's 2008 album, La Bibournoise, Dan Aquilante of the New York Post wrote, "This is one of the year's most unusual and beautiful collections of folk music. The melodies lie in the shadows of Acadian fiddles and Appalachian Mountain rhythms. Add to that combination vocal work ... that seems snatched from medieval madrigals. This is uncommon, simple folk music played with virtuoso skill that will have timeless appeal."
Tickets me be purchased in advance on Kindred Spirits' website, www.kindredspiritsprograms.org or at Books & Prints at Pear Alley (570-296-4777) in Milford. Children under 15 are admitted free.
Founded in 2002, Kindred Spirits Arts Programs Inc. has brought world-class musical performances to the Upper Delaware area for the last 10 years. It is a non-profit organization of volunteers supported in part by private and business donors. For further information contact Yosif Feigelson (570-409-1269, kindredspir@yahoo.com) or Jan Lokuta (570-296-6471 or 570-296-2181 or lokuta@wskllawfirm.com). 06/22/12
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