BIDDEFORD — In honor of National Acadian Day, primarily celebrated in Canada, Biddeford will play host to Robert Sylvain at the Meetinghouse this Thursday, Aug. 15 for a 7:30 p.m. show.

Sylvain will present a mélange of poignant laments and serenades along with uproarious broadsides and epics from his Mémère Thibodeau’s cherished notebook of old Acadian ballads. Having painstakingly researched the historical sources, Sylvain found the original melodies, then translated and arranged the songs to present to a new generation as proof that Acadian culture still lives in Maine.

This event is  hosted  by Heart of Biddeford, in cooperation with the Biddeford Historical Society.

Heart of Biddeford’s director, Delilah Poupore, said she received a call last month from Sylvain whose band, Sylvain’s Acadian Aces had played many of HOB’s Music in the Park concerts over the years.

“When Rob described what he wanted to do, I knew we needed to find a place for this to happen in Biddeford,” Poupore said. “The historical and cultural organizations in town were enthusiastic to hear about it, and Biddeford Historical Society offered to host it at the Meetinghouse on Meetinghouse Road, which will create the perfect intimate environment for this concert.”

Sylvain will be joined by favorite bandmates who share his commitment to sharing the traditions of the Acadian  culture, which has been in hiding for generations. As lead singer for the groups Boréal Tordu, Douce, and The Acadian Aces, Sylvain has toured internationally, and his music has been heard at the Cannes Film Festival, on a compilation cd from Le Centre de la Francophonie des Amériques, on the CBC, PBS and TV5.

Recently Sylvain was awarded a traditional arts apprenticeship grant from the Maine Arts Council. Drawing from notebooks of Acadian songs left to him by his Mémère Thibodeau, and from his collaborations with Louisiana Cajun cousin Matthew Doucet and Breton guitar master David Surette, Robert explores his rich musical heritage and advances it to a new level.

Sylvain’s grandmother, Elisa Sylvain née Thibodeau, grew up in the St. John’s River Valley, in the heart of Maine’s Acadian region. As the matriarch of a family of 40 grandchildren Elisa made the quilts, cooked the tourtière, and kept the songs of her heritage alive for her progeny.  As the keeper of songs in his generation, Robert inherited his Mémère’s cherished notebook of old Acadian ballads, which continues to inform and inspire new music in the spirit of the folk tradition.

There will be a $10 Suggested Donation at the door, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Find out more information on Heart of Biddeford’s website, heartofbiddeford.org or on Sylvain’s website, acadianmaineiac.wixsite.com/robertsylvain