For the past 14 years, the Vancouver Coup de Coeur has made it possible for Vancouver audiences to discover an original slate of talented vocal francophone artists. In 2007, the Coup de Coeur Francophone won the Felix award for Event of the Year at the Adisq Gala festival. Once again, it has been nominated in this category in 2008. A new feature this year will be a “first”: one of our shows will make an appearance in Victoria! Once more Coup de Coeur Francophone proves to be a two directions highway, as B.C’s artist Alfa Yaya Diallo will be performing at the Montréal Coup de Coeur Francophone event.

3 Gars su’l Sofa
Studio 16, Le Centre |Friday 31st October | 8 p.m.

Since the release of their first opus Des cobras, des tarentules in March 2007, this Quebec trio has put on many shows in Canada as well as in Europe. They have been crowned with instant success and have been nominated as Discovery of the Year at the 2007 Adisq Gala and as Band of the Year in 2008.
With their sardonic and dynamic folk music style, 3 Gars su’l Sofa is characterised, among other things, by their penchant for vocal harmonies and catchy tunes. Singing songs of contentment, cats and ginger ale, the trio (two guitars and bass) draw their inspiration from those little banal things that make daily life so special. A happy time is in store!

Saint-Pierre
Wise Hall | Friday 7th November | 8 p.m.

Saint-Pierre is a divine singer-songwriter-composer who has made a name for himself on the francophone show circuit in British Columbia by winning the 2006 Pacifique en Chanson and Chant’Ouest competitions. On the occasion of the release of his first album, this vivacious performer will bring us 12 cuts in an eclectic mix of folk, jazz and electronic music. He evokes the themes of exile, the eternal feminine, the passing of time, and life in general. Saint-Pierre will be accompanied by his musicians (on piano, bass, guitar, drums) and joined by many special guests, including the band Wintermitts and other surprises to come!

Wintermitts
(Opening for Saint-Pierre)

Wintermitts is a Vancouver group composed of Lise Monique, David Thomas Manzl, Shane McMillan, Christian Chaumont and Swann Barrat. Influences drawn from each member of the band are woven in a subtle blend, which creates the richness of their lyrics and compositions. In this way, they produce a mix of ballads coloured by the accordion, Canadian folk songs, and a zest of rock music. This irresistible blend is what makes this group so unique and so charming.
On the occasion of this concert, the band will introduce us to new songs from their latest album “Heirloom” just released on September 13.

Daniel Lavoie
Kay Meek Center | Saturday 22th November | 8 p.m.
Alix Goolden Hall | Sunday 23rd November | 8 p.m.

Born in Dunrea (Manitoba) in 1949, Daniel Lavoie is a pillar of the Canadian and international Francophone artistic scene. He is without a doubt one of the artists who has received the most Felix awards, including Male Artist of the Year in 1980 and 1984 and Pop Rock Album of the Year in 1990 for “Long Courrier”. He carried off the “Midem d’Or” in Cannes in 1985 with his song “Ils s’aiment” that sold more than two million copies in Quebec and in Europe.
After exploring the world of children’s music in 1995, he worked in 1998-99 with the duo Plamondon-Cocciante on the musical Notre Dame de Paris, which met with extraordinary success.
In 2002, Daniel Lavoie played the role of the pilot in the musical show of Le Petit Prince at the Casino de Paris. In spite of his reputation as a consummate artist, his latest work, “Docteur Tendresse”, still comes as a surprise because of its poetry and the way it just hits the mark. Written in collaboration with Patrice Guirao, Brice Homs, Marie Nimier, Jean Rouaud and Allain Leprest, its subtle and clever lyrics reveal the artist’s tender and humorous way of seeing things. It does the heart good, takes us out of our everyday doldrums, and gives us something to think about and to dream about...