Start here for song and story kitchen parties

Musique de la Baie Kitchen Parties

Join us nightly in July and August in participating restaurants for “the kitchen parties,” featuring local musicians, songs and stories.

and find out why Yarmouth and Acadian Shores is more than just a rural fishing town, it’s an experience shaped by the sea.

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What is Musique de la Baie?

Yarmouth & Acadian Shores is renowned for its vibrant and unique music. Many famous Canadian musicians come from this area, and musical expression is seen as a cornerstone of local culture. Maritimers are known for fiddles romancing us with soft melodies and then exploding into jigs and reels that shake up the desire to dance, sing, or pick up an instrument and join in the fun. In fact, Acadians have their own special word for this—a good party with lots of music is referred to as a “tyme.”

Yarmouth & Acadian Shores wants to cherish and nurture our musical culture and heritage. That’s why, during July & August, local musicians perform nightly in participating restaurants throughout the area. Visitors are invited to take part, and should look for “Musique de la Baie” performance signs and brochures.

At a Musique de la Baie kitchen party, expect just that—a kitchen party. Informal performances and interactions with the audience are key, and you might even be invited to join in. The traditional and original compositions make for wonderfully diverse repertoires, which in turn keep the performances fresh and entertaining. Entertainment will take place in both French and/or English, depending upon which local community you are in.

Participating Restaurants

Check back in May 2010 for the summer performance schedule.

An Original Composition

The original composition “It Starts Here” by Vince d’Entremont was written to convey the sense of belonging and of small town values that one experiences during a visit, or a lifetime for that matter, in Yarmouth and Acadian Shores. Feel free to print off the notes and music and learn the song yourself. You may even hear the song in action as you participate in Musique de la Baie.

“It Starts Here” introduces you to the dynamic cultures of our region and tells the story of sailing home to Yarmouth and Acadian Shores, the history of the area, days at the water’s edge…

“When I think back
Of spending time
Fun steaming lobsters
On the beach

The crackling of the fire
The smell of the ocean
Good times we have
With friends and family”

Have a listen for yourself and find out why Yarmouth and Acadian Shores is more than just a rural fishing town, it’s an experience shaped by the sea.

Download Song Lyrics 

"It Starts Here" was written and composed by local talent Vince d'Entremont. You can visit Vince online here. Thanks Vince!

History of Musique de la Baie

Originally introduced by Paul Comeau of Restaurant Chez Christophe in the village of Grosses Coques, the idea of having live music during a meal quickly became a project of the Clare Tourism Association in order to allow restaurants throughout the area to offer lively entertainment as well.

The official “Musique de la Baie” program was started in the year 2000 with the goal of showcasing Acadian music and culture to visitors. This program featured local musicians playing live “local” music during the meal period in participating restaurants. Each year the program grew in popularity until it was offering an average of 100 performances per summer to over 5000 audience members each season. The “Musique de la Baie” program is a run-away success in the Clare area, having drawn nearly 40,000 audience members throughout its nine seasons and even producing its own CD in 2008. The program is now asked for by name in the area by visitors and is also affectionately known as “The Kitchen Parties.”

In 2009, in light of a new tourism partnership in south western Nova Scotia, Musique de la Baie was expanded to all of Yarmouth & Acadian Shores. This exciting new venture incorporates new communities and musicians, all holding true to the goal of showcasing local talent and culture, and welcoming visitors to our region.