MUSIC

Join us for traditional Acadian food followed by a concert in the spirit of the old custom of Acadian kitchen parties. We'll be cooking up a bit of Acadian stew known as Fricot- the precursor to Cajun Gumbo, and other delicacies. Fun for all ages including a chance to try some Acadian percussion instruments and maybe learn some French to sing along.
In 1604 the Acadians landed in Maine from France. 400 years later, Boréal Tordu takes Maine-Acadian music from traditional ballads and footstomping fiddle tunes to a new realm for a new generation, while preserving the unique character of Acadian culture.
Boréal Tordu is a quartet of Maine musicians playing material commonly called French-Canadian music. This music is really the music of Franco-American culture, the tunes of New England mill towns and coastal communities on both sides of the border — “Acadian folk, Cajun swing, maritime ballads, crooked fiddle tunes and foot-stomping French dance music.”

Maine Acadians have been harboring a rich musical culture underground for generations. Now, there is a new music rising up out of Maine steeped in that tradition with a fresh take on familiar ground. A new generation of Acadian-Maineiacs are showing their joie de vivre. Voilà Boréal Tordu. C'est dingue ça!???

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 end up finding their roots through their music. More than a revival, this is the reinvention of a culture almost lost to a new generation. The result is a rhythmically unstoppable, lyrically fantastic blend of Acadian traditions with original Americana sensibilities.

Since 2003, Boréal Tordu has played to enthusiastic English and French speaking audiences throughout New England, The Adirondacks in NY, Quebec, and the Canadian Maritimes. They have been featured numerous times on Maine's 207, NPR, CIFA Radio 104.1 Nova Scotia, WMPG 90.9 Portland, ME, CBC Radio Canada, Lakes Region Radio 94.1 Poultney, VT and Robert Resnick’s, All the Traditions on Vermont Public Radio. Their 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. Most recently, Le Centre de la francophonie des Ameriques has selected Boréal Tordu's recording of Steve Muise's song "le Par-en-Bas" to appear on a CD compilation produced by Cajun music icon, Zachary Richard.

The band features Acadian fiddler/accordionist extraordinaire, Steve Muise, named Maine Music Educator of the Year 2007, and Acadian singer-songwriter and dobro player Rob Sylvain, known for his work in the band Douce with Matthew Doucet of Lafayette, Louisiana. Rounding out the rhythm section is Pip Walter on guitar and backing vocals and Andy Buckland on upright bass. Thrice nominated for the Portland Phoenix reader’s poll award for Best World Music Act, Boréal Tordu continues to innovate and abide in a genre by itself.

"…a fun brand of rootsy acoustic music that’s accessible... and features some top-notch musicality and singing.
Sam Pfeifle - The Portland Phoenix
Whatch the Amazing Things web site as we develop an Acadian Culture day experience that will delight and educate.