LEWISTON – The Franco-American Heritage Center and the New England Celtic Arts will host popular Acadian band Boréal Tordu Tuesday, July 14, at the Franco center. The concert will begin at 7 p.m., with a preshow jam session at 6:15 in Heritage Hall. Ticketholders are urged to bring their instruments to play a bit with band members.
Boréal Tordu began when fiddler Steve Muise and singer-songwriter Robert Sylvain discovered a mutual interest in the music of their shared Acadian heritage. Both are sons of native French-speaking parents. Both ended up finding their roots through their music and have created a unique blend of Acadian traditions and original Americana sensibilities.
Muise, who also plays accordion, was named Maine Music Educator of the Year in 2007; Sylvain, who also plays dobro, is known for his work in the band Douce with Matthew Doucet of Lafayette, La.. Other band members are Pip Walter on guitar and backing vocals; and Andy Buckland on upright bass.
Since 2003, Boréal Tordu has played to enthusiastic English- and French-speaking audiences throughout New England, The Adirondacks in New York, Quebec and the Canadian Maritimes. The band has been featured three times on Maine’s 207, as well as on NPR, CIFA Radio 104.1 Nova Scotia, WMPG 90.9 Portland, CBC Radio Canada, Lakes Region Radio 94.1 Poultney, Vt., and Robert Resnick’s “All the Traditions on Vermont Public Radio.”
Boréal Tordu’s 2006 release “La Bonne Vie” was called “an inspiration to the Franco-American community” by Dirty Linen Magazine and has been heard on the PBS series “Now with Bill Moyers.”
Tickets, general admission, are $10; $5 for children 12 and under, including students 18 and under who participate in the jam session. Doors will open at 6 p.m. For tickets, call the box office at 689-2000. The Franco center is on Cedar Street. For more information, visit francoamericanheritage.org.