LEWISTON – Folks will have a chance to kick up their heels to the music of Le Vent du Nord at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, at a family-style event at the Lewiston Public Library.

“People are always commenting on how hard it is to sit still to this band’s music,” said Cindy Larock, LPL cultural coordinator. “So, we decided to host an old-fashioned house party, similar to the convivial gatherings which were common throughout the Franco-American community until a few decades ago.”

Extended families were always part of such occasions, so it seemed a perfect fit for the library’s new cultural center, which seeks to “build community” by bringing the generations together though interactive programming, she said.

With schools closed for vacation next week, the hope is that grandparents will make a “date” with their grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren, to attend the event.

True to the house-party spirit, the event will be casual, with chairs lining the edges of the hall to allow room for dancing. Band member Benoit Bourque, recognized as one of Quebec’s leading dance masters, has a ready collection of easy French-Canadian “barn” dances that he enjoys teaching on the fly. He has promised to demonstrate some of his high-energy jigging as well. Songs will also be a part of the program, with audience members encouraged to sing along.

Admission is $2 for youth (including any full-time student) and senior citizens (age 60 and over), with others ticketed at $5. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the library’s front desk during regular library hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The event will take place from 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. in Callahan Hall on the third floor of the library at 200 Lisbon St. For more information, call the library at 784-0135 and access the front desk at extension 500, or Cindy Larock at extension 200.