Emerging Aylmer artists organize an all-female-led music event
Jude Osmond
Ksénia Angenï Duquet, an emerging artist from the Aylmer area, organized an all-female-led music event titled GRRLS NIGHT, which included performances from multiple local women artists and packed the Rupert Community Centre on Friday, August 14.
The event was organized to let local female artists showcase their musical passion and talent and perform on a stage in front of an audience. Some of the performers included Julia Lang, Maya Cloutier, Mélia Martin, and more, each bringing their own musical touch to the stage.
‘’ I was looking to promote all-female lead talent in the area,’’ Duquet said.
The event served as a fundraiser for Espoir Rosalie. This organization offers support through workshops and other programs for young and single mothers who have trouble adapting, as well as activities and events to help them. The event raised 300 dollars from the show, and all proceeds went to the foundation for Espoir Rosalie.
Duquet has been involved with the arts all her life, having done theatre, music, and dance, but when her father passed away at 15, writing songs and making music have really helped her find an outlet. As her passion has developed over the years, she has started writing more songs and performing with multiple bands, which has really grown her musical and on-stage talent. To Ksénia, the most important thing is really focusing on her lyricism. ‘’ I don’t care if my voice is bad on a bad day or if I mess up on a guitar; I want people to pay attention to my writing. That’s what means the most to me.’
Duquet only started doing small gigs a couple of years ago, when she was 18, with her previous band, The North. She mentioned the stage fright was something she had to overcome, but as she started performing more and more, the more natural it felt, and she felt more confidence in her performances, ‘’The love for it is so much bigger than the fear,’’ Duquet said.
She is now focusing more on making music on her own, moving into a solo artist-type sound as she works on her debut album, where her lyrics reflect her teenage years and how she grew up, with that era of her life as the focus.