Barachois (band)
Acadian traditional music group
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Barachois was an Acadian traditional music group from the Evangeline Region of Prince Edward Island.[1][2] The band's high-energy stage show highlighted local fiddling, stepdancing and song traditions.[3]
Albert Arsenault
Louise Arsenault
Chuck Arsenault
Barachois | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Prince Edward Island, Canada |
| Genres | Acadian |
| Years active | 1995–2003 |
| Past members | Hélène Bergeron Albert Arsenault Louise Arsenault Chuck Arsenault |
History
The group was formed in the mid-1990s by siblings Hélène Bergeron and Albert Arsenault,[4][5] distant cousin Louise Arsenault, and unrelated Chuck Arsenault.[6] The name of the group refers to a barachois, an Acadian word for a type of shallow lagoon found on the ocean shores of eastern Canada.
The four began performing in 1993 at dinner theatres[7] and house parties.[8] In 1996 they recorded their first album, Barachois. which was nominated in 1997 for three East Coast Music Awards, winning one of them, Francophone Recording of the Year.[9] Over the group's nine-year run, they produced 3 albums and were awarded a number of national and international awards, including five ECMA's, a Juno nomination, and "Chevaliers" de l'Ordre de la Pleades (Officers in the order of French parliaments).
Barachois toured Canada and the US, as well as fifteen other countries.[6]
The band amicably retired in 2003. Chuck and Albert toured as a duo[10] for another seven years, presenting a show which included comedic skits as well as traditional music. Louise and Hélène went on to found and perform with two other traditional French-Acadian bands: Les Girls and Gadelle.
Members
Discography
- 1996 Barachois- Acadian Music from Prince Edward Island[3]
- 1999 Encore!
- 2002 Naturel