By Brad Brown
Citizen Staff

A few ears undoubtedly perked up when Kipling Arts Council president Joan Minter announced on Jan. 30 that a beautiful woman would be performing at the group’s third show of the 2007-08 season.

Anne-Julie Caron was touring Manitoba at the time the comment was made about her, but also took notice when it was brought to her attention.

“On the (promotional) pictures I am beautiful but they put makeup on me and all that,” she said Monday from her Winnipeg hotel room, with more than a hint of sheepishness in her laughter.

“The way I move I guess it’s supposed to be pretty (but) you can look at the pictures and judge for yourself,” she added, eager to change the topic.

Did we mention there will be music at this show too?

Caron will bring 10 years of experience on the marimba, along with accompanying pianist Akiko Tominaga, to the Kipling Community Centre when she performs there on March 5.

Ironically, Caron was less than impressed with her introduction to the instrument - she had always fancied herself a drummer.

“When I was 14 our teacher talked about the conservatory and said you could take lessons there for free,” said Caron. “So I was thinking ‘Wow, I could have free private drum lessons and practice there’ which was amazing because my parents were too poor to get me a drum set.

“When I got there it was just classical percussion and there was no drum set so at the beginning I was very disappointed but I really got to know those instruments and I really fell in love with the marimba.”

In just six years since finishing school Caron says it has turned out to be a dream pairing.

The Quebec City native has performed with the Montreal and Quebec symphony orchestras, as well as in Ottawa, Vancouver, and New York for crowds numbering upward of 3,000.

Looking like a cross between a giant xylophone and an organ, the marimba measures nine feet in length meaning there will be plenty of action on the stage to complement the music of Caron and Tominaga.

In describing the instrument’s sound, Caron says the show will appeal to music lovers of all stripes.

“It’s very… complete because it can be aggressive and powerful but it can be a very warm instrument and very soft too,” she said. “It has bass so you can play it solo or with others… and the repertoire will be very accessible.”

Caron takes the stage at 7:30 p.m.