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For many Rhode Islanders, French was the language their elders spoke and there was a fiddle that came down off the wall after supper for music with the family. Those fond memories will come alive March 28 and 29 in Cumberland RI when the Blackstone River Theatre, 549 Broad St, hosts a two-day festival of Franco-American songs, fiddling and stepdancing with two of New England’s première performing groups, Chanterelle and The Beaudoin Legacy.

Chanterelle members Donna Hébert, Josée Vachon, Liza Constable and Alan Bradbury.

Chanterelle are regulars at the Blackstone and lead singer Josée Vachon is beloved of Franco-American audiences throughout the state and region. Franco fiddler and singer Donna Hébert, NH singer and guitarist Liza Constable and RI bass and accordion player Alan Bradbury help Josée mix Québécois and Acadian songs and fiddle tunes with French jazz and Cajun two-steps. Distinctively beautiful voices, virtuoso French fiddling and trio harmonies are hallmarks of Chanterelle performances, taking the listener on an unforgettable French journey.

 

	Beaudoin sisters Nina and Carmen sing, Carmen's children Elena, Glenn and Nicolle dance at 2006 group kickoff concert. (Bill Spence photos).

Recently named to the NEA's American Masterpiece Roster by the Vermont Arts Council, The Beaudoin Legacy continues their family traditions of song, fiddle music and dancing. Onstage are Louis Beaudoin's 86-year old widow, Julie, their daughters, Carmen Beaudoin Bombardier and Nina Lacourse Beaudoin, and Carmen's children, Glenn Bombardier (fiddle, stepdance), Elena Alexander (stepdance) and Nicolle Charbonneau (stepdance).

Joining them are former Beaudoin fiddle apprentices George Wilson and Donna Hébert, with young RI singer and fiddler Daniel Boucher, creating comic havoc with his French songs. Liza Constable (guitar and vocal) and Selma Kaplan (piano) round out the ensemble. Folklorist Andy Wallace, who presented Louis Beaudoin and his family at National Folk Festivals and the Carter Inaugural in the 1970s, will also speak at the Soirée Concert.

Donna Hébert, George Wilson and Daniel Boucher

With all weekend events scheduled at the Blackstone, the festival rolls into action with an 8 pm Friday night quadrille and contra dance. Veteran New England caller Tony Parkes, who played music at Beaudoin family house parties in the 1970s, will teach each dance before calling it, so no experience is needed and non-dancers are welcome. Fiddling are Donna Hébert and George Wilson, with guitarist Liza Constable, pianist Selma Kaplan and bassist Alan Bradbury. Joining them will be Donna’s Franco-American fiddling apprentices and Beaudoin family members.

Saturday events start with one-hour workshops from 1-4 pm. Franco music fans, singers and musicians can study fiddling with George Wilson, Glenn Bombardier and Donna Hébert, French-language songs and chansons à répondre with Josée Vachon and the Beaudoins and French-Canadian stepdancing with siblings Glenn Bombardier, Elena Alexander and Nicolle Charbonneau.

The festival caps with an 8 pm Saturday evening Soirée Concert with both bands. Using the stage and the floor of the theater, more than a dozen musicians and dancers will take the audience into the heart of French-Canadian joie de vivre at their old-time house party. "C'est le temps de s'amuser/It's time to have a good time!."

Make reservations for the dance, workshops or concert by calling Blackstone River Theatre at 401-725-9272. Friday advance $12; Sat. workshops $15 each; Saturday evening concert $18. Weekend ticket to all events $65 ($10 discount).

For more information, please visit www.riverfolk.org.