FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WSO Opens 2016 with French-Canadian Roots Legend La Bottine Souriante, Jan 8-10

Winnipeg, MB – Jan 4, 2016 – Internationally recognized French-Canadian roots band La Bottine Souriante is fusing its award-winning sound with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) Jan 8-10 at the Centennial Concert Hall. With three JUNO awards and four nominations, the 11-member band is known for a sound that features everything from fiddles to percussive dance, and folk to salsa. Out of La Bottine Souriante’s thirteen albums, four are certified Gold and three are certified Platinum. They have sold of over half a million albums around the world and have been recognized internationally with awards like the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for the Best Live Act.

La Bottine hit the Québec music scene in 1976. Their enduring roots music won a JUNO in 1989, and after adding a spice of jazz, salsa and true folk with the addition of a horn section in 1991, La Bottine won their second JUNO a year later in 1992. The eleven musicians combine strings, horns, button accordion, jaw harp, percussive dance and more to create an award-winning, celebratory sound. With 40 years of experience, La Bottine’s explosive music brings toe-tapping rhythms and an energetic spirit together to enchant audiences across the country and around the world.

Under the direction of Resident Conductor Julian Pellicano, La Bottine Souriante and the WSO will play a variety of francophone tunes in a dynamic and spirited performance. Called “the best band in the world” (Dirty Linen magazine), La Bottine is sure to bring a blended musical experience unlike any other that will have audiences jumping, clapping and toe tapping along.

Air Canada Pops Series Friday, Jan 8 - 8:00 p.m. La Bottine Souriante live with the WSO Saturday, Jan 9 - 8:00 p.m. Centennial Concert Hall Sunday, Jan 10 - 2:00 p.m. Julian Pellicano, conductor La Bottine Souriante

Éric Beaudry: vocals, guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, foot tapping Pierre Bélisle: piano, Rhodes, B-3, piano-accordion David Boulanger: violin, vocals, foot tapping Benoit Bourque: vocals, accordion, bones, jaw harp Jean-François Gagnon-Branchaud: vocals, violin, foot tapping Robert Bob Ellis: bass trombone Jean Fréchette: saxophone, flute, recorder, percussion Jocelyn Lapointe: trumpet François Marion: bass, electric bass Sandy Silva: percussive dance André Verreault: trombone

Pop Series Sponsor:

Presenting Media Sponsor:

Official Radio Station of the WSO Air Canada Pops:

MUSICIANS IN THE MAKING Pre-concert performance on the Piano Nobile. Friday, 7:15 p.m. Caron Whitlaw Hebert and students, Division

of Preparatory Studies, Desautels Faculty of Music

Saturday, 7:15 p.m. Canadian Mennonite University Jazz Students Sunday, 1:15 p.m. Bennet Charter and students, Division of

Preparatory Studies, Desautels Faculty of Music

Tickets start at $25 and are available through the WSO Box Office: 204.949.3999 or wso.ca or Ticketmaster: 1.855.985.ARTS and Ticketmaster.ca

LA BOTTINE SOURIANTE MEDIA CALL: Friday, January 8, 2016 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm Centennial Concert Hall, 555 Main Street Media to arrive at back stage entrance Lily Street. Please RSVP to the media call by emailing spanas@wso.mb.ca

About WSO: The WSO is integral to Winnipeg's rich cultural life, delighting more than 100,000 audience members each year with innovative programming and musical excellence. The WSO presents educational programs for more than 40,000 students annually and tours to communities across Manitoba.

-30- MEDIA: For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Sarah Panas, Marketing & Communications Coordinator p. (204) 949-3970 e: spanas@wso.mb.ca