And I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Except maybe I should bring ear protection next time, that was kinda loud.

I had a goal to get out and do more things this fall/winter/hibernation season. And I almost missed this one entirely, if our friend Alex hadn’t messaged me to see if I bought my ticket!

The Les Hay Babies are a trio of Acadian gals from Moncton, New Brunswick. They had two male musicians with them and a sound man. Oddly enough, every one of them, all 6 of them, is the youngest sibling in each of their families. I thought that was fascinating.

They played a mix of rock with a twinge of folk and country blended in. Kinda my style exactly I’d say.

Most of their songs were in French, which I don’t speak. Between songs they told stories, and probably 75% of their stories were in English? The lead singer was practicing her English. I understood some of the French, which surprised me because I haven’t been surrounded by French for decades probably. (I’m thinking of one summer in Kirkland Lake, in particular, when I worked with two French Canadians and went to their family homes and events sometimes where no one spoke any English and without speaking it myself, I somehow grew to understand much of what they were saying.)

Part of me was worried I would not enjoy a French/Acadian concert, but the music was great, the girls were friendly and fun and told great stories. I didn’t connect to the music as much as I would have if I knew what they were saying, but that is okay. There were plenty of francophone Dawsonities there. How nice it must have been for them to actually hear French musicians.

The middle of the audience was cleared of chairs so people could dance.

I did not dance. But I did sit and tap and wiggle along with the beat. I particularly enjoyed the deeper, moody voice of the darker haired girl on our right. I liked her solos.