Dames de Nage

Dames de Nage is a female, a cappella singing duo described as wilfully disturbing what can be seen at times as the established, masculine world of singers of maritime repertoire. With their Beautiful hats and large, extravagant personalities, Valérie Imbert & Brigitte Kloareg provide a whimsical, humorous and even poetic performance of songs.

Valérie IMBERT is of Norman origin, she spent her entire childhood at Mont St Michel and first brought herself to the tradition of Haute Bretagne after being interested in early music and theatre. 

Brigitte KLOAREG is a song peddler who offers a vast repertoire of songs and lamentations anchored in Celtic countries. 

Following a meeting in 2007 at a singing festival, the two singers quickly decided to join their voices together. The first opportunity was found to be on board the Rigolo, a traditional mackereller from the small port of Doëlan in 2008. They have become the “Dames de Nage”, an essential navigation instrument on board any boat! They offer a joyful repertoire of songs from their respective territories and elsewhere: songs by the water, from islands to harbours, from the cellar to the table.

From: Les Bordées de Cancale website 2023:

They came to the Bordées together, separately, incognito and here they are again in duet for the 2023 vintage with their complementary voices, strong or fruity, and their maritime songs from Ouessant to Noirmoutier. From the same mould as the whole tradition of singers who are both sensitive and truculent, those of the cabaret stages, but also those leaders of songs in festive days and revolts of canneries and washhouses, they make you listen, dance, laugh and sing in turn.

Note on the name of the duo: A play on words – a “Dame du Nage” as well as being a “Swimming woman” is a Rowlock/checker, an object used to fix an oar on a rowing boat. During the movement of the rower, it plays the role of pivot and transfers to the boat the reaction created by the oar stroke.