The Manitoba Francophone Coup de Coeur will be held from 20 November to 11 December 2009 in the Centre culturel franco-manitobain, Saint-Boniface(Manitoba - Canada) and will propose a very eclectic program : the rockin’ riffs of Les Respectables, the sultry style of Catherine Major, the creative bravado of Les Surveillantes, and the dulcet tones and tender lyrics of Ariane Mahrÿke-Lemire and Geneviève Toupin.

The Coup de coeur francophone is a unique music event bringing together 1,200 performances and 15,000 songs, rising stars and top names in the music industry, public favourites, and a kaleidoscope of emotions. And what a long way it’s come. From its humble beginnings 23 years ago as a local festival in east-end Montreal, the Coup de Coeur francophone has been a Pan-Canadian network for the past fifteen years, becoming THE event of the year for Canada’s francophone performers.

2009 Francophone Coup de Coeur in Saint-Boniface Manitoba : the program

Friday 20 November 2009 at 8 pm at la salle Jean-Paul-Aubry
  Les Surveillantes
  Les Respectables

Friday 27 November 2009 at 8 pm at la salle Antoine Gaborieau
  Ariane Mahrÿke-Lemire
  Geneviève Toupin

Friday 11 December 2009 at 8 pm at salle Pauline-Boutal
  Catherine Major

Presentation of artists scheduled to 2009 Francophone Coup de Coeur in Saint-Boniface Manitoba

  Les Surveillantes

It’s been nearly 20 years since Les Respectables burst on the scene with songs, lyrics, guitar riffs and a big, boisterous drum sound reminiscent of the Rolling Stones at their best. The band launched its career in 1991 with a series of English albums featuring a true, hard-hitting and upbeat style. In 1999, with the release of their first French-language album “$=bonheur”, Les Respectables received rave reviews. The song L’argent fait le bonheur was a smash hit and topped the charts for more than two months. In addition to taking multiple Gold Record honours, Les Respectables were awarded a Félix from ADISQ, Quebec’s record and show-business association, for Band of the Year in 2000 and 2002, and received a SOCAN Award. The band has continued to tour and perform in major venues including Montreal’s Bell Centre. Les Respectables are back in Winnipeg to wow audiences with their clean, rhythmic riffs that are as rock n’ roll and upbeat as ever.

  Les Respectables

Winners at the 2009 Gala Manitobain de la Chanson, Gala interprovincial de la chanson Chant’Ouest, and recipients of the Public Award at the Festival international de la chanson de Granby, Les Surveillantes will be the evening’s opening act.

Individually, band members Jérémie, Eric, Danielle and Denis wear the hats of songwriter, composer and performer. Together, they create a unique sound that blends a number of musical genres including chanson française, folk, slam and all the good stuff. For Les Surveillantes, making music means inviting a creative force into their work and seeing where it takes it and them as they surf the whims of inspiration.

  Ariane Mahrÿke-Lemire

Hailing from Saskatchewan, Ariane Mahrÿke-Lemire is one of those rare singers whose work revolves around poetry and the meaning of words. And what could be more natural for this theatre graduate who has always felt inspired and compelled to write?

Composing songs in both languages and straddling two cultures, Ariane has been tuning in to her emotions since she was 10. Through her participation in remarkable experiences like the Festival en chanson de Petite Vallée in Gapésie, the Coup de cœur francophone in Montreal, the Rencontres d’Astaffort in France and Contact Ontarois, Ariane has become a seasoned musician. Her engaging personality and magnetic stage presence are captivating. Her first album, “Double Entendre”, was crowned Outstanding Francophone Recording at the 2008 Western Canadian Music Awards.

  Geneviève Toupin

Manitoba-born Geneviève Toupin has a warm, sweetly melancholic voice. Her style has been described as a mix of sun and shade, piano and guitar, folk and pop. In 2006, Geneviève Toupin was a finalist at the Festival international de la chanson de Granby. In 2007, she received a “Coup de pouce” for the 2008 Rideau Scholarship for her performance at the Vue sur la relève festival in Montreal. In May 2007, she recorded five songs on a mini-album accompanied by musicians Damien Robitaille and Erik West-Millette. In the summer of 2008, she had the opportunity to perform her compositions across Canada with the Francoforce project. With their clean arrangements, her songs have a disarming simplicity as she shares her innermost feelings with colourful lyrics on the passage of time and everyday doubts, hopes, loves and friendships. Geneviève will perform on piano and guitar accompanied by two musicians, creating an intimate set in a light and natural ambience.

  Catherine Major

With her first album “Par-dessus bord” released in 2004, Catherine Major put aside defined musical genres to get back to basics: vocals, piano, a few classical instruments, and poetic texts set to lively and upbeat rhythms. Drawing her inspiration from a plethora of world music, the young Montreal artist has built her own repertoire of signature songs that explore everything from jazz sounds, to a fusion of tango and chanson française, to a rip-roaring polka, to Latin beats, to classical music. Catherine has gone on to create other impressive works that have received critical acclaim. Recently, this enchanting pianist who becomes one with her instrument was awarded the 2008 Prix Félix-Leclerc de la chanson.

Selection of music videos of artists scheduled to 2009 Francophone Coup de Coeur in Saint-Boniface Manitoba

  Les Surveillantes «La force de la gravité»

  Les Respectables «Virer le monde à l’envers»

  Catherine Major «Le piano ivre»