FARMINGTON – On Saturday, March 31, Boréal Tordu will give a concert in Nordica Auditorium at the University of Maine at Farmington, starting at 7:30 p.m. Led by Steve Muise and Robert Sylvain Boréal Tordu features original music in the traditional style of the French-speaking people of New England, and continues the tradition of crooked fiddle tunes, bittersweet maritime ballads and foot-stomping dance music.

Boréal Tordu began when fiddler Steve Muise and singer Robert Sylvain discovered a mutual interest in the music of their shared French-American heritage. While signs of their parents’ French culture can still be found in Maine, it was almost lost to their generation, after years of forced assimilation. More than a revival, their music represents a continuation of Franco-Maineiac musical traditions passed down from the Acadians, the Québécois, and the unique French-speaking people of the the Republic of Madawaska and milltowns all over New England.

Steve Muise, who plays fiddle and accordion, and also does vocals, is well known to residents of Franklin County. A Canadian at heart; his parents are first and second generation Acadians from Nova Scotia. He is happy to be playing his late grandfather’s accordion, and a violin handmade here in Maine. Steve teaches orchestra and The Franklin County Fiddlers in Farmington, Maine.

Robert Sylvain, who does vocals and also plays guitar and dobro, has strong Acadian roots and the rich musical heritage that came with it. Sylvain does sound acquisition for film & video, and is also artistic director of Gigafone Records, which features documentary-style recordings of acoustic music in unusual settings. Rounding out the group are Ron Bonnevie on drums and percussion, and Pip Walter on bass and vocals.

The Franklin County Fiddlers will open the show with a short selection of their favorite tunes.

Admission for the concert, which is sponsored by the Arts Institute of Western Maine, is $7 for adults, $6 for senior citizens, and free for ages 15 and under. There are no advance ticket sales. For more information, you may call 645-2157.