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The Artists
Valerie Loomer is originally from New York City, but has been living in the South of France since 1984. She is a professional luthinist specializing in 16th and 17th century music. From 1987 – 1998 Valerie participated in the "Fêtes Nocturnes" ( large scale productions of 17th C. music/theater/ballet ) at the Grignan castle as member of the Cie. Barbaroque. Since 1993 she performs with the trio Artémisia, and since 1999, with the Ensemble Boréades (Lyon). Valerie has performed and records with the Troubadours Art Ensemble since 2000, and performs and records with Musica Antiqua Provincialis since 1998. Since 2007 she performs with the Alegransa. She has also been guest artist with Poïésis and Ensemble Parnassis de Marais.
Valerie began her performing career, however, as a mime and puppeteer, notably with Bil Baird Marionettes (NYC) and Baltimore's Blackbird Theater.

Polo Burguière has always lived in Provence. In 1987 he discovered « old time fiddling », and has been addicted ever since. Numerous visits to the US have allowed him to become thoroughly familiar with this music, and to perform for various festivals, square dances, fiddle competitions... Polo has won 1st prize for 3 consecutive years at the Maury River Convention in Virginia. He records with Virginia's Mando Mafia, as well as with his group : Ida Red Old Time Band, who manage to be active on both sides of the Atlantic ocean. Polo also performs and records in France with the cajun bands : Madame Sosthene and Lâche pas la patate !

Since 1999, Valerie and Polo have performed Ben's Canoe for family and young audiences (especially in schools) throughout France : Drôme, Ardèche, Savoie, Alpes-de-haute-Provence, Alpes-maritimes, Haute-Savoie, Isère, Vaucluse, Tarn and Haut-Rhin.

Since 2002, Valerie and Polo perform The Blacksmith's Fiddle.

Elsa Ballandreau holds diplomas from the Schools of Beaux-Arts from her native Valence as well as Lyon. She has worked with Pot aux Roses, Délices Dada, Cirque en Kit, Cie. Barbaroque, and Transe Express Circus. She is also the founder of Cie. de la Fugue.
Elsa created the 26 images of the cranking theater and the puppets for Ben's Canoe.