LEWISTON – A pair of all-women bands – Ziaf and Inanna – will soon take the stage at the Franco-American Heritage Center at St. Mary’s.

On Saturday, Oct. 2, Boston-based Ziaf will perform at the Little Canada arts center. One week later, on Oct. 9, the Maine-based Inanna will perform.

Together, they hope to reach out to audiences that are unlikely to hear their music on the radio.

“You have to seek out this music,” said Catherine Capozzi, guitarist for the band Ziaf. “We’re looking for open musical minds.”

For most people, the music of either band is unfamiliar.

Ziaf was formed a year ago as a tribute band to the late Edith Piaf, a singer who became an icon in the Paris of the 1950s with songs such as “La Vie en Rose.” Her music is still beloved across Europe, where the band has toured twice this year to sold-out audiences.

Passion for life, music

Once they’ve heard the music, American audiences have taken to it.

People respond to the raw passion and sensuality of the music, even if they don’t know the words, Capozzi said.

Piaf often sang of love, and love gone wrong. She died in 1963, after leading a tumultuous life of affairs and addiction.

“It’s the colors that you hear in the music,” said Capozzi.

Ziaf formed one year ago from members of a band called All the Queen’s Men.

They gave up their rock sound after playing a few Piaf songs to huge effect. People asked them to play more of the Paris chanteuse’s music, so they changed. Capozzi, Carol Namkoong on piano and Tamora Gooding on drums were joined by Swiss native Christine Zufferey.

She’s the “Z” in “Ziaf.” As that band prepares to return to Europe for another tour, Inanna is preparing for a trip to West Africa.

Playing together for 15 years, Inanna focuses on rhythms and harmonies. All five women sing – and their drumming has drawn national attention.

In June, Chicago producer Alejo Balingit filmed the band at the Bates Mill complex for an upcoming DVD.

For two days, the crew from Hands in Motion Productions focused their cameras on the women: Andrea Antognoni of Whitefield, Annegret Baier of Portland, Tori Morrill of Peaks Island, Lizzy Derecktor of Boothbay and Shirsten Lundblad of Orr’s Island.

The group is now seeking grant money for a trip to West Africa. Balingit hopes to film them playing with musicians there.

It’s the kind of connection the group makes every time it performs, said singer and drummer Antognoni.

“We do a high-energy show,” she said. The experience is meant to be both energizing and relaxing.

“People are encouraged to enjoy, listen and take it in,” Antognoni said.