La Bottine Souriante to perform at Union Theater

Quebec’s most successful roots ensemble, La Bottine Souriante, takes the stage Saturday, Nov. 18, at 8 p.m. at the Wisconsin Union Theater.

Hailed by folk artists around the globe as “the best band in the world,” this nine-member group combines Irish dance music, salsa and jazz to create an energetic sound that has captivated audiences of all ages for nearly three decades.

La Bottine Souriante has achieved international acclaim since its first appearance on the traditional music scene in 1976. What began as “a gang of young guys in search of adventure – really a weekend jam,” according to the group’s accordionist Yves Lambert, is now an accomplished band that has sold over half a million albums and headlined festivals the world over.

The group’s most recent album, “En Spectacle,” is a record of the La Bottine’s journey from a little-known group in Quebec to a global smash known for what Lambert calls “the rhythm and energy that allow [La Bottine] to appeal to audiences all over the world.”

The album focuses mainly on the band’s newer and brassier music, but features songs from the group’s early days as well.

La Bottine Souriante appears under the sponsorship of the Wisconsin Union Directorate Performing Arts Committee.

Tickets: $27 ($26 for union members and $13.00 for UW–Madison students), Union Theater Box Office, 262-2201.