Grand Derangement to Perform at UPB

Grand Dérangement, an award-winning Acadian musical group from Canada, will perform on Monday, Sept. 28, at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

The musicians will take to the stage at 7:30 p.m.in the Bromeley Family Theater of Blaisdell Hall, as part of the Prism Series, formerly the Season Subscription Series. Admission is $22 in advance and $26 at the door for the public and $9 in advance and $11 at the door for all students.

Taking its name from the exodus of Acadians from Canada in 1755, the Nova Scotia group sings English and French folk, Celtic, rock and Broadway songs. Grand Dérangement, which means “great disturbance,” also performs poetic songs, blended with insights of French, Acadian and Cajun culture.

“Acadian music is fun and an important part of the history of eastern Canada, and its impact spills over in the New England and mid-Atlantic region as well,” said Randy Mayes, director of arts programming at Pitt-Bradford. “Grand Dérangement has an excellent reputation and its unique mixture of French, English, traditional Acadian songs and upbeat modern music appeals to all generations. The group almost redefines the word ‘unique’ and definitely deserves a place on any program that seeks to present diverse performing arts experiences.”

Since emerging onto the stage in the 1990s, Grand Dérangement has released four albums, most recently two years ago. In 2004, the band won the theme song contest for the World Acadian Congress, a three-week cultural festival in Canada.

The band includes Daniel LeBlanc, fiddle and vocals; Briand Melanson, percussion and lead vocals; Jean-Pascal Comeau, bass guitar and vocals; Charles Robicheau, guitar; Suzanne Comeau, step dance; and Danielle LeBlanc, step dance.

“Every performance the crowd explodes into applause, and people surround them like rock stars, which is pretty unusual for an Acadian music group, but understandable when you see the concert,” Mayes said. “We try to book groups that cover each area of the performing arts disciplines.”

For ticket information, call the Bromeley Family Theater Box Office at (814) 362-5113. For more information, also visit www.grandderangement.com.

For disability-related needs, contact the Office of Disability Resources and Services at 814-362-7609 or arj4@pitt.edu.