Polished, yet waifish. Stylish, yet urchinish. Okay, I don’t think “urchinish” is actually a word. But “urchin” is. And it, along with “waif”, are two definitions of the French word “gamine”. As for “polish” and “style”, well, that’s “chic” for you. Put them together, and you get the name of this vocal quintet with roots (pun very definitely intended) in Montreal and Winnipeg.
In town to perform as part of the Regina Folk Festival Concert Series, Chic Gamine were last here in August when they performed on the main stage on the final day of the 2009 Regina Folk Festival. That gig was in Victoria Park. Tonight’s is at the Exchange.
Composed of four female singers (Ariane Jean, Andrina Turenne, Alexa Dirks and Annick Bremault), along with percussionist Sacha Daoud, Chic Gamine has been together since 1997. Mixing a pile of different influences from gospel and soul to r ‘n’ b and doo-wop, the group captured the Best Roots/Traditional Album Award at the 2009 Junos. Here’s video of them performing their song “100 Years”. (YouTube)
Opening for Chic Gamine will be Saskatchewan singer Alexis Normand.