BETHEL — The award-winning Acadian music ensemble Grand Dérangement will bring its blend of Acadian, American, Celtic, French and even Broadway music to Gould Academy Thursday, April 30.
Grand Dérangement hails from Acadia, specifically the Baie Sainte-Marie area of southwestern Nova Scotia. Its name means “great disturbance” and comes from the French name for the Great Expulsion of Acadians by the British in 1755, a major turning point of Acadian history, but also a reference to the group’s desire to rouse its audience.
The group’s vocals are in varying dialects of French, ranging from a fairly neutral standard to the dialect of Acadian-French spoken around the Baie Sante-Marie.
Grand Dérangement has had several step-dancers, which punctuates the vibrancy of its live show. The band has been touring the United States, Canada and Europe since its inception.
The show, presented as part of the Mahoosuc Arts Council’s Performing Arts Series, will begin at 7 p.m. in Bingham Hall. Tickets are $6 for adults, $4 for students. They may be purchased at the door. For more information, call 824-3575 or log on to www.MahoosucArts.org.