"Rouge" drives songs with joyous energy

Celebrate French joie de vivre and experience passionate and joyously romantic world-class vocals, guitar, accordion, and rapport with Rouge, a virtuosic ensemble, brought to you by Mountain West Bank and the Panida Theater.

Rouge was founded over a decade ago by European-style performer-vocalist Janet Rayor. Drawing from a dance, mime and theater background, she determined to bring this music to life for a modern American audience.

Rayor has performed all over the USA and Europe. She began singing solos at nine and vocal training at eleven years old. Originally and primarily an actress and dancer who sang, the engaging and versatile vocalist switched back to song in 1995 when she rediscovered French cabaret music. Besides a full-performance schedule, she especially loves to teach voice and socially dance.

Accordionist Steve Rice is well known in the Northwest for his coloristic improvisation style, good humor, and fine musicianship. He has toured and recorded extensively with Klezmer, Cajun, and Folkloric groups. He won the Oscar Peterson Award at Berklee College of Music for jazz piano, is a published composer, and tours internationally with The Harry James Orchestra.

Classical/steel-string guitarist Dave Bartley is a composer who also plays mandolin, cittern, and bouzouki. He has played with the Seattle Opera, the Seattle Symphony, and all over the world with various bands including KGB, Bag O'Tricks, Tricky Brits, Ruby Slippers, Pangeo, Pasatempo and Gina Sala.

Tickets are on sale now at Eve's Leaves, Monarch Mountain Coffee, and Pack River Potions for $15 adults and $10 students. For more information on tickets, please call: (206) 706-3322.