Background
Les Bûcherons started in October of 1982 out of an extraordinary experience of successful touring with Joanne Martineau (insert picture have it scanned).
Gilbert Parent owner and artistic director, wrote his first song “Scie le bois” the night he decided to quit L’Arche a house for handicaps Jean Vanier started years ago. He prayed on it and expected a clear message in the morning which was ”Hit the Road Jack”.
After his first solo show, he realized he needed a partner and asked another “L’Archian” Yves Manseau, a high spirited hunk from Quebec who learned to fiddle and step dance that summer. He later went back to the priesthood and is now happily married. Gilbert on faith bought a sound system for $700, hired Yves at $6/hr. produced and distributed a brochure that proved fruitful about two months later. Students gave Yves and Gilbert and Ives the name Les Bûcherons / The Lumberjacks after seeing them dressed in knickers and dancing with axes. The name stuck for the next 28 years. With every concert two others were booked and repeat business made for abundant service given the sale of 1000 spoons and 1000 dancing men that Gilbert’s parents Albert and Marie built every year. This first years proved entertaining because of participation and stories , the Axe and saw Dance, a spoon competition, the use of 10 dancing men, and 150 spoons which were distributed to the audience. These 3 items, the dance, spoons and dancing men, were the foundation of audience participation that has become renowned with Les Bûcherons.
