LEWISTON, Maine — Barachois, a quartet from Prince Edward Island, brings a distinctively warm and lively kind of traditional Francophone folk music to the Olin Arts Center Concert Hall at Bates College at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4. Admission is $12 for adults and $8 for seniors, children and full-time students.

Taking its name (pronounced "bara-SHWA") from the Acadian term for pools of water cut off from the sea by sand dunes, Barachois plays the folk music of the Acadians, descendants of the French colonists whom the British expelled from Nova Scotia in 1755. (In Maine, the St. John River Valley in Aroostook County is home to a sizable Acadian population.)

With three albums to its credit and a growing international following, Barachois is a band on the rise. It consists of a brother and sister, Albert Arsenault and Hélène Arsenault-Bergeron (children of the renowned fiddler Eddy Arsenault); their cousin, Louise Arsenault; and Chuck Arsenault (not a family relation). To the traditional Acadian instrumentation of twin fiddles and piano or pump organ, the foursome adds guitar, harmonica, brass and myriad percussion.

Barachois brings a contemporary sophistication to songs that in some cases are centuries old. But its performance is as much about dance and humor as music. Veterans of countless family "kitchen parties," the members of the band are lively wits and accomplished step dancers.

The concert is presented by the Freewill Folk Society. Call 207-795-5180 for more information.

	Bates partners with Mount Desert Island laboratory in $5.5 million NIH grant Folk singer and storyteller to discuss spirituality in Bates series Lecture at Bates makes case for classroom diversity 'Brave New World' takes the stage at Bates Bates College ranks seventh in number of physics graduates Bates economics department ranked at top of leading liberal arts colleges Bates lecture examines racial profiling during World War II, after Sept. 11 Photographer of Navajo code talkers launches Native American Heritage Month Bates historians to consider meaning of Sept. 11 New England Piano Quartette returns to Bates Bates offers Primate Film Festival Pianist performs seldom-heard contemporary gem at Bates Bates Multicultural Center hosts Native American Heritage Month events Barachois brings Acadian-style dance party to Bates Marge Piercy to read at Bates for Annual Writers Harvest Women's soccer to host NESCAC tournament first round Upgrades sideline some Bates on-line services Helen Nearing documentary to be shown at Bates Bates professor says fear causes silence of eminent Muslim scholars on attacks News media advisory -- Bates professor says eminent imams silence based on fear 'Coming Home To Eat' author speaks at Bates What national publications are saying about Bates Coffey named Administrator of the Year by NACWAA Renowned peace activist to speak at Bates College