About

Cafe des Voix Winnipeg

Cafe des Voix is a performance workshop series with a goal of providing singers the opportunity to learn new songs, work with a professional accompanist and receive coaching on style, performance and delivery. An emphasis is put on working with songs from jazz, blues, Broadway and popular repertoires.

How does it work?

At the rehearsal the accompanist will help you work out the best key for your song and will develop an arrangement for you to sing. You’ll be provided with a piano track to take home and practice with for each song.

A few days following the rehearsal singers will perform their songs at the “Cafe Rouge” – an informal cafe setting where family, friends and community members are invited to enjoy the music. Pass the hat donations to pay the pianist.

Please email Grant Simpson at grantsimpsonmusic@gmail.com to be put on the singers email list.  You will be notified of upcoming opportunities to join in one of the cafes. 

The singers then attend a rehearsal to prepare their two songs for the upcoming Cafe des Voix 

Cost for one half-hour rehearsal and one Cafe performance with the pianist = $20.00 per singer. Each Cafe will have eight to ten singers.

The environment is an informal set up like a coffeehouse where there is a clear view of the stage. Seating for about 25 people in the audience. Donations at the door to pay for accompanists. The church may take this opportunity as a fundraiser by selling snacks and refreshments during the intermission. Set up and tear down to be done by CDV volunteers.

Grant is happy to talk to singers about song selections/ideas/music etc leading up to the first date. They can email grantsimpsonmusic@gmail.com or text/call 431-373-3108

Upcoming Cafes:

Cafe Rouge at Crescent Arts Centre (Crescent Fort Rouge United Church) 525 Wardlaw Ave.

  • Sunday, November 12th @ 2:00pm  (Rehearsals on Thursday Oct. 9th) Theme “Pack up Your Troubles”  Songs from the WW1 era. 
  • Sunday, December 3rd  @ 2:00pm (Rehearsals on Thursday Nov. 30th)
  • Sunday, January 7th @ 2:00pm  (Rehearsals on Thursday Jan 4th)
  • Sunday, February 4th @ 2:00pm  (Rehearsals on Thursday Feb 1st)
  • Sunday, March 3rd @ 2:00pm  (Rehearsals on Thursday Feb 29th)
  • Sunday, April 7th @ 2:00pm  (Rehearsals on Thursday April 4th)

Cafe des Voix at Gordon King United Church (The Big Red Church) 127 Cobourg Ave

  • Friday, January 19th @ 7pm (Rehearsals on Friday, Jan 12th)