LEWISTON – The Franco-American Heritage Center on Cedar Street will present “The Mike and Greg Family Show” with nationally recognized storyteller Michael Parent and nationally known fiddler Greg Boardman in concert at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13.

They will present a family-oriented program of songs, stories and “at least a couple surprises,” said Parent. “This is a show that children and grown-ups alike can enjoy.”

Parent, nationally recognized storyteller and singer, is a Lewiston native. After living in Virginia for many years, he returned to his home state in 1998. He received the National Storytelling Network’s Circle of Excellence Award in 1999. As a storyteller, author, musician and juggler, Parent draws upon his Franco-American heritage to perform a unique blend of stories and songs in both French and English.

Boardman is a fiddler, musician and a music teacher in the Lewiston school system, as well as co-founder of the Androscoggin Valley Community Orchestra. An Auburn resident, he has performed in folk venues throughout Maine during his 30-year career. As a promoter of traditional fiddle music, he founded or co-founded a number of popular fiddling events, including (with the late Shirley Littlefield), Maine’s longest-running fiddle contest, the East Benton Fiddlers’ Convention. Boardman is also bilingual and well-versed in Franco-American and Quebecois musical styles.

Parent and Boardman collaborated on the CD “Chantons – Let’s Sing, in French and English.” This unique bilingual recording has been distributed to many schools in Maine and has received airplay on various radio stations, including the “Family Groove” Internet radio show.

Their rollicking recording was produced by Parent and the late Tom Rowe. The CD celebrates the Franco-American heritage of the Lewiston-Auburn area. It includes young singers on some of the songs, and a songbook also is available. More information about it is available by going to www.laarts.org and clicking on the word “chantons.”

During the 2004-2005 season, the center plans to continue multicultural programming in addition to its presentation of orchestral and choral music.

Advance tickets, which are $8 for adults and $5 for children under 12, can be purchased at Victor News on Park Street. Tickets at the door will be $10 for adults and $6 for children under 12. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. The concert starts at 2. For more information, people can call 783-1585 or visit www.francoamericanheritage.org.


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