Michelle Choiniere February 26, 2010

Writing and singing in both English and French, Michele powerfully expresses her cultural identity as a bilingual Franco-American from the New England borderlands. Her repertory and vocal style are as eclectic as they are evocative: jaunty French cabaret songs rub elbows with contemplative ballads and pop-tinged lyrical folk melodies. The overarching emotion of this music is a dark gaiety, sophisticated and brooding.

Michele Choiniere was born into a musical Franco-American family in northern Vermont, and from an early age performed traditional Franco-American music with her father Fabio, an accomplished harmonica player. In 1995, she began writing and composing her own songs and has performed throughout New England, Quebec and France. Her lyrics and music focus on nature, romance and social issues connected to being Franco-American. Ms. Choiniere represents contemporary New England "roots" music at its best. She has been featured on television and has recorded an archival collection of Franco-American music with her father. She is featured on the Smithsonian Folkways CD Mademoiselle Voulez-Vous Danser: Franco-American music from the New England Borderlands. Her debut solo album, Coeur Fragile, was recognized as one of the top ten Vermont albums for 2003 by Seven Days newspaper.

General Admission is $15.  Members of the Folk Music Society, $12; children, and full-time students under 23, $6. Tickets are available at the door or online at http://choiniere.eventbrite.com; Information: www.folkmusicny.org; or 718-672-6399.