Le Vent du Nord Returns to Chandler

Le Vent du Nord will return to Chandler Music Hall in Randolph Saturday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. for a celebration of the joy of Quebecois music. These four musicians with multiple talents brought a Chandler audience to its feet last year and promises to light up the stage once again.

A brief, but perfectly accurate, description of Le Vent du Nord would be: eight musical instruments, four voices in harmony, two generations of musicians and a master of dance. In this band, the sum is worth more than the total of its parts.

Well-known on the North American and European folk music circuit for 25 years, Benoit Bourque plays diatonic accordion, bones, mandolin and jaw harp, step dances and sings vocals. He is joined by Simon Beaudry on guitar and vocals, Nicolas Boulerice adding hurdy gurdy, piano, bodhran, and vocals; and Olivier Demers on fiddle, guitar, vocals and feet.

Le Vent du Nord has been on a dazzling ascension since the group was founded in 2002. Its first CD, "Maudite Moisson!" won the 2004 Juno award for Roots and Traditional Album of the Year. It was also nominated at ADISQ 2004 for the Traditional Album of the Year award, as well as being one of the nominees for an OPUS 2004 award for show of the year in the category of Jazz and World music. They have also just received a 2005 Canadian Folk Music Award for Traditional Album of the Year.

This group takes music from the ancient repertoire and often enriches it with new harmonies; old tunes and arrangements are refined with subtle modern additions. The members of the group are also accomplished composers and their original compositions blend traditional music with the contemporary. 

On stage, as well as on its albums, Le Vent du Nord is generous with interesting bits of information describing the origins of a tune or a song. With their humor and exuberant energy, Le Vent du Nord has conquered audiences of all ages and from various cultural backgrounds, in Europe as well as in America. For more information about the band, visit their website at: www.leventdunord.com

This program is sponsored by Randolph National Bank and Randolph Rotary. Tickets can be purchased by calling 802-728-6464 or at tickets@chandler-arts.org .
Make a Day of It!

You can make a day of it by participating in workshops led by Le Vent du Nord band members. Benoit Bourque will offer a step-dance workshop for all ability levels in the upper gallery at Chandler from 2–4 p.m., while Olivier Demers offers instruction for experienced fiddlers.

The afternoon workshop sessions, which run concurrently, will conclude with a short contra dance for all participants. The Travelin’ Willy B’s will cater a dinner in Chandler’s upper gallery, and participants are invited to bring instruments for a jam session before the evening concert at 7:30 p.m.

Pre-registration and a minimum number of students are required for the workshop sessions. Reservations are also required for the dinner. Call Kathy at the Chandler Box Office at 728-6464 for prices and to make reservations for any of the day’s events.

____________