August 21st-25th Weekly Update: Island Proud, Vishtèn Connexions, Duo CBJ & MH

Island Proud with Shane Pendergast

Join us August 21st for our next installation in the Island Proud series! Island Proud features a 45 minute concert followed by a reception in the pavilion with the artist.

Shane Pendergast has folk music in his blood. Hailing from a long lineage of storytellers and musicians in Prince Edward Island, he is keeping the Maritime folk tradition alive with his honest and insightful compositions. From acclaimed folk festivals across the world to the small halls of PEI, Shane has cemented himself as one of Atlantic Canada’s finest folk troubadours. His 2021 album ‘Second Wind” won Contemporary Roots Album of the Year at the Music PEI Awards. Shane is the founder and host of The Jack Pine Folk Club, a monthly performance series of music and poetry.

Vishtèn Connexions

Join Emmanuelle LeBlanc and Pascal Miousse, the dynamic duo behind the multi-award-winning Acadian power band Vishtèn, for a special presentation of “Vishtèn Connexions” on August 23rd. Having toured the world for nearly two decades, Emmanuelle and Pascal bring their electrifying energy to this unique project, honoring the legacy of their soulmate, Pastelle LeBlanc.

Following the release of their latest album in the spring of 2024, titled “Expansion” which featured guest artists collaborating to finish Pastelle’s pieces, this special presentation is a continuation of the musical journey born from love and loss. Emmanuelle and Pascal share the stage to perform creations from Pastelle’s rich repertoire and introduce new compositions inspired by their shared musical history.

“Vishtèn Connexions” is more than an album; it’s a soul-stirring celebration of love, shared experiences, and the enduring bond between Emmanuelle, Pascal, and Pastelle. Join the duo for an evening filled with vibrant melodies and heartfelt tributes, as they continue to carry the torch of traditional and contemporary Acadian music forward.

Duo CBJ & MH

Duo CBJ & MH, joining us August 25th, are known for their joyful and electrifying performances. Pianist Madeline Hildebrand and oboist Caitlin Broms-Jacobs have been fast friends and musical collaborators since 2014, when the duo performed their first concert together on Winnipeg’s prestigious Millennium Recital Series. Having instant chemistry both on and offstage, the two realized they had found their perfect musical match, and have since gone on to bring their expressive music making to audiences across Canada. Their thrilling interchange of musical ideas is instantly apparent in their performances, which are infused with free-spirited warmth and ease of expression. Self described as “serious musicians who don’t take themselves too seriously”, Madeline and Caitlin combine their infectious enthusiasm and unstuffy approach with sensitive and masterful playing, all with the goal of inspiring audiences and bringing joy through music.

Caitlin is the principal oboist of the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, where she has been often featured as a soloist, and also performs frequently as guest principal oboist with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Madeline has recently performed with Philip Glass and the Kronos quartet, and has enjoyed solo concerts across Canada, the US, and Europe. She is a recent graduate of Stony Brook University and currently teaches at Brandon University and Canadian Mennonite University.