Goderich

Bourque Émissaires are a high-energy duo who always go down a treat at Goderich Celtic Roots Festival! Benoit Bourque, the band’s sparkplug, brings over 30 years of charismatic, exuberant, and infectious performance experience. Antoine Pigeon-Bourque, a classically trained pianist and accordionist, adds precision, depth, and versatility to their sound. Together, they combine technical mastery with boundless energy, delivering performances that are both joyful and unforgettable, leaving audiences dancing and smiling every time.

“Playing Irish traditional music on concertina and uilleann pipes, this young, energetic duo boasts musical expression beyond their years. Their playing stands as a powerful embodiment of tradition, coupled with sheer musical passion.”

Caroline and Tom both grew up in houses filled with traditional music. From a young age, Caroline was exposed to the richness of Clare, Limerick and Sliabh Luachra traditional music, an influence which has become the cornerstone of her uniquely vibrant, passionate and emotive style of concertina playing. With an Irish father and French mother, Tom gained his musicality through osmosis, born and raised in a rich environment of Irish music. Inspired by the traveling style of piping, his rhythmic playing is powerful and daring.

Kavaz is a traditional music trio composed of Isaac Beaudet Lefebvre on violin, Everest Witman on guitar and François-Xavier Dueymes on flutes. They share a love of Irish music, each bringing elements of their native Quebec, Vermont and Brittany. The name Kavaz is a term borrowed from the Breton language meaning "fork," symbolizing the meeting of the three musical worlds.