De Temps Antan Set for Skirball's Sunset Concerts Series in LA, 8/16

The West Coast premiere of De Temps Antan continues the Skirball Cultural Center's annual Sunset Concerts series on Thursday, August 16, 2012 at 8:00 PM.

Since 2003, Éric Beaudry, André Brunet, and Pierre-Luc Dupuis have been exploring and performing time-honored melodies from the stomping grounds of Quebec's musical past. Even their band name, De Temps Antan, is a play on words, a nod to their ancient heritage ("de temps en temps" in French means "from time to time" while the similar-sounding "antan" means "yesteryears"). Using fiddle, accordion, harmonica, guitar, bouzouki, and many more instruments, the three virtuosi blend boundless energy with the unmistakable joie de vivre of traditional Quebecois music. Beaudry's rich vocal range and unquestionable talent on stringed instruments, combined with Brunet's unwavering energy and refined style on the violin and Dupuis' skills on the accordion, guarantee a rousing performance for all.

The Skirball Cultural Center's Sunset Concerts, curated by Skirball Vice President of Programs, Jordan Peimer, offers community concerts free of charge representing music from around the globe in the Skirball's scenic central courtyard.

The 2012 series begins with Samba Mapangala & Orchestra Virunga (July 26) and continues with the West Coast premiere of The Alaev Family (August 2); West Coast premiere of Orquesta Sarabia under the direction of Roberto Rodriguez (August 9); West Coast premiere of De Temps Antan (August 16); La Santa Cecilia (August 23); and world premiere of Eric Bibb's String Band (August 30).

For each live performance, the expansive outdoor space is transformed into an intimate, celebratory gathering. Concertgoers arrive early to dine under the stars, visit the museum galleries, and explore the Skirball's spectacular architecture and hillside setting. Then, as the performers take the stage, festivities spill out into the aisles and music lovers of all ages sing along and take to the dance floor.

It takes musical flair to create memorable songs of yore: songs with a hint of contemporary, dosed with humor, deep-rooted couplets, and sudden, impromptu shifts that speak to familiar rhythms of the past: these are the sounds of De Temps Antan.

Éric Beaudry was first exposed to traditional Quebecois music in Saint-Côme, a village in Quebec's Lanaudière region. Raised by a family entrenched in music, he began singing and playing guitar at the age of ten. In 1992, he unleashed his musical ambitions on local audiences by founding La Galvaude, followed up later by Ni Sarpe Ni Branche and Norouet. Éric's passion for music also fostered an interest in song, which earned him a 2002 Prix Mnémo for his role in producing the album Musique gaspésienne, featuring violinist Édouard Richard. In 2003, hot on the heels of this success, Éric became a member of La Bottine Souriante. Éric's love of music also spurred a passion for entertaining, following the completion of a bachelor of arts in pop guitar and jazz, Éric began teaching traditional music at Joliette's CEGEP régional de Lanaudière in 2002.

André Brunet was raised in Lacolle, in Quebec's Montérégie region. André's first love was for the violin and, at the age of nine, he began taking lessons. Along with his brother Réjean, he created Les Frères Brunet and went on to record several albums and perform around the world. In 1997, André's unwavering energy and refined style earned him a spot with La Bottine Souriante, with whom he toured more than fifteen countries over the course of ten years. At the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Competition in August 2008 - an event showcasing more than twenty violinists from across Canada - André took home top honors as "Canadian Grand Master." It was the first time a Quebecois had won the prestigious award since the competition's inception in 1990. In September 2009, André won first place in one of the top competitions in Ontario, the Annual Pembrooke Old Time Fiddling and Step Dancing Championships. He was the first Quebequois fiddler to win the award. André also participated in the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Pierre-Luc Dupuis was born in Louiseville, in Quebec's Mauricie region. During his youth, traditional music was always at the forefront of daily life. Although he began singing with his family at a very young age, Pierre-Luc was somewhat of a late musicAl Bloomer, taking up the accordion at eighteen. But what he lacked in experience he made up for in determination. At nineteen, he founded Les Langues Fourchures, with whom he recorded his first album in 2001. In 2003, he joined La Bottine Souriante, one of the province's best-known music groups. Since then, he has wowed audiences from Dublin to Porto and Budapest to Melbourne with his unique humor and warmhearted charisma. Since ending his journey with La Bottine Souriante in 2008, Pierre-Luc has devoted himself to his true love, De Temps Antan.

Skirball Cultural Center is located at 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif. Call (310) 440-4500 or visit www.skirball.org for more information.

De Temps Antan:

Thursday, August 16, 2012
8:00 PM – Concert
7:00 PM – Doors

Eric Beaudry: vocals, guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, foot percussion
André Brunet: vocals, violin, foot percussion
Pierre-Luc Dupuis: vocals, harmonicas, accordions, Jew's harp, ti-fer (triangle)

FREE ADMISSION; no reservations

Limited seating on a first-come, first-served basis

On-site parking: $10 per car (cash only). Street parking is strictly prohibited. Carpooling is encouraged or take Metro Rapid 761.

All Skirball exhibitions (except Noah's Ark) are free and open until 10:00 p.m. during Sunset Concerts, including Project Mah Jongg, Jewish Homegrown History, and Visions and Values.

Zeidler's Café's dinner buffet starts at 6:00 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made starting two weeks prior to the Thursday evening concert by calling (310) 440-4575. Lighter fare can be purchased at Zeidler's Cart.

Guests may bring their own food.

Note: No outside alcoholic beverages or chairs are permitted.