Name: Lúnasa – Irish Winter Solstice Celebration
Start: 2024-12-14T19:00:00
Location: Blackstone River Theatre

Dive into the enchanting world of Celtic Christmas festivities at the Blackstone River Theatre. With a lineup of mesmerizing performances by renowned artists such as Áine Minogue and Seamus Egan, alongside a vibrant holiday craft fair, this event series offers a remarkable blend of music, culture, and community spirit. From the haunting melodies of Irish harp to the lively tunes of flutes and fiddles, each event promises an unforgettable experience that captures the essence of Celtic tradition and holiday cheer.

A Celtic Christmas Celebration: Music, Craft, and Culture at Blackstone River Theatre

Cillian Vallely

Kevin Crawford

Trevor Hutchinson

Colin Farrell

Dave Curley

Patrick Doocey

Blackstone River Theatre

Lúnasa

The techniques of “Melodic” Clawhammer give you the power to make fiddle tunes from Southern, Northern, & Celtic traditions – and virtually any other kind of music – sound great on banjo. In this workshop we’ll refine and perfect your right hand mechanics so you can use drop and double thumbing on virtually every string and in every possible permutation. Then we’ll explore other important areas such as improving the efficiency and power of your hammer-ons and pull-offs; mastering alternate-string pull-offs; and using fingering shapes and other specialized fretting hand approaches to facilitate playing melodies around the neck. Skill level is projected as advanced- beginner & intermediate, but will be adapted to the playing abilities of those who attend.

Ken Perlman: 5-string banjo workshops

We are thrilled to present Ímar who are on the East Coast for the first time in eight years! BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Winners, the Glasgow-based five-piece band Ímar, stands out from the crowd by taking things back to basics. With a line-up featuring members of Talisk, Mànran, Mec Lir, and RURA, and an impressive collection of top awards – including a 2018 BBC Radio 2 Musician Of The Year, 2016 BBC Radio Scotland Young Musician of the Year, BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award, Young Folk Award, nine All-Ireland and eight All-Britain titles – the group’s formation embodies a personal reconnection with its members’ formative years, dating back long before their recent camaraderie around Glasgow’s justly celebrated session scene. Mohsen Amini (concertina), Ryan Murphy (uilleann pipes), Tomás Callister (fiddle), Adam Brown (bodhrán), and Adam Rhodes (bouzouki), share a strong background in Irish music – although only Murphy actually hails from Ireland; Rhodes and Callister are from the Isle of Man, whilst Amini is a Glasgow native, and Brown originally from Suffolk. But it is these foundations which underpin many of Ímar’s distinctive qualities, in both instrumentation and material. The band’s unmistakable synergy centers on the overlapping cultural heritage between Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man. All three places once shared the same Gaelic language and a similar kinship endures between their musical traditions. “It’s definitely more of a pure-drop trad sound than most of the other bands we’re involved in,” adds Cork-born piper, flautist and whistle player Ryan Murphy (Mànran), “but I think that’s partly why it feels so natural. We’re going back to the music we started out playing when we met as teenagers through Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann – which is ultimately the reason why we’re all here as musicians.” “Genuinely jaw-dropping collective virtuosity.” – The Scotsman

Ímar

Celebrating its 15-year anniversary as a band, the Celtic-American roots group RUNA continues to push the boundaries of Irish folk music into the Americana and roots music formats. Interweaving the haunting melodies and exuberant tunes of Ireland and Scotland with the lush harmonies and intoxicating rhythms of jazz, bluegrass, flamenco and blues, RUNA offers a thrilling and redefining take on traditional music. Earning them the reputation as one of the most innovative Irish folk groups of this generation, RUNA consists of vocalist and step dancer, Shannon Lambert-Ryan of Philadelphia, Dublin-born guitarist, Fionán de Barra, Cheryl Prashker of Canada on percussion, Jake James of New York on fiddle, and Tom Fitzgerald of Canada on mandolin and vocals. The group has been honored internationally, winning Top Group and Top Traditional Group in the Irish Music Awards and three Independent Music Awards including Best LIVE Album, Best World/Traditional Song, and Best Bluegrass Song. Seeking to preserve and continue a traditional culture in a modern age, RUNA creates the backbone of its signature roots sound from the musical and geographical diversity of its individually established band members. Always incredible, RUNA sold out last year so get your tickets early!

RUNA

Téada will be celebrating its 25th anniversary as a band just as Blackstone River Theatre celebrates its 25th anniversary year so this is a perfect match! A traditional band with a truly worldwide reach, Téada has appeared as a frequent headliner at major music festivals throughout the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Africa, Russia, Israel and Australia. Highlights include a 30,000-capacity stadium concert in Brittany, along with performances at Rainforest World Music Festival & Penang World Music Festival in Malaysia, Edmonton Folk Festival in Canada, Harare International Festival of the Arts in Zimbabwe and World Music Festival Taiwan. The band features Oisín Mac Diarmada – fiddle, Paul Finn – accordion, Damien Stenson – flute, Seán Mc Elwain – guitar, and Tristan Rosenstock – bodhrán. Dancer/pianist Samantha Harvey will be joining Téada on this year’s 25th anniversary U.S. tour. Their latest release on Gael Linn features special guest appearances by Hollywood actor and singer John C. Reilly and the late Séamus Begley, one of Ireland’s most beloved traditional singers and accordionists. Recent highlights include performances at the Dublin Irish Festival, Savannah Music Festival, and Montana Folk Festival (USA), as well as Festival Interceltique de Lorient (France)and the Irish Festival of Oulu (Finland) underscoring Téada’s continuing role as a vibrant ambassador for Irish culture worldwide.

Téada

Lily Neill has captivated audiences around the world with the dynamism and breadth of her performances, and her infectious passion for the harp. She has played for world leaders and ambassadors, luminaries in the world of music, and listeners who never dreamed they would ever hear a harp. Critics have praised her effortless technique and the uniqueness of her style, with Irish Music Magazine calling her, “…part of the new Harp revolution extolling aspects of harp music never previously heard.” Unlike many young harpists who are drawn to the orchestral pedal harp, Lily gravitated toward the the lever harp – a relatively modern type of harp that is a cross between the medieval Irish and Scottish harps and the pedal harp. Her concerts feature everything from original compositions and tangos, to Elizabethan music, ragtime, and traditional tunes from across the globe. Guitar master Clive Carroll’s unique tone and unmistakable voice as a composer have seen him become one of the world’s premier acoustic guitar players and “…arguably the most accomplished fingerstylist in the world today…” – Total Guitar Magazine. A chance meeting with English guitar legend John Renbourn proved the catalyst for Clive’s debut album, “Sixth Sense” which Renbourn deemed “a milestone in the journey of the steel-string guitar.” He subsequently took Clive on the road with him and the pair toured North America and Europe together – including a concert at Blackstone River Theatre early on! 2023 saw the release of “The Abbot – Clive Carroll plays the music of John Renbourn,” a double-album of solo works alongside ensemble interpretations, featuring 21 guest musicians and a medieval ensemble. “One of the finest fingerstyle guitarists and instructors working today. His knowledge, technique, and passion for the art form are unparalleled” – Acoustic Guitar Magazine

Lily Neill and Clive Carroll

The debut album by Macdara Yeates, “Traditional Singing from Dublin,” marks a new arrival on the Irish folkscape. Named in MOJO’s “Top 10 Folk Albums of the Year” and nominated for two RTÉ Radio One Folk Awards, the album features a rich store of old and weathered folk songs, ranging from the comic and surreal to the mournful and disconsolate. Siobhán Long of The Irish Times writes: “Raucous, bawdy, reflective and wistful in turn, ‘Traditional Singing from Dublin’ is a candid, clear-eyed snapshot from a singer who is finally stepping into the spotlight.” Born and raised in Dublin, Yeates is one of a crop of artists associated with the recent resurgence of young folk talent in the Irish capital; he previously was part of the group Skippers Alley. With a distinctive voice described as “a bracing, baleful, baritone that sounds as if it’s been dug from the deepest, most fragrant turf” (Songlines), Macdara Yeates is ploughing his furrow as a solo performer, garnering wide critical praise. This will be his Blackstone River Theatre debut as a solo artist. Sharing the evening will be Torrin Ryan and Amy Law. Attleboro, MA resident Torrin Ryan became enamored with Irish traditional music at 9 years old and has devoted the past twenty-plus years to playing, recording, and teaching the uilleann pipes, simple system flute, and tin whistle across the country and abroad. In 2009 at age 14, he was awarded an Uilleann Piping Scholarship by Na Píobairí Uilleann, Dublin. Torrin has been awarded over two dozen first place medals across several years of competing at the Mid-Atlantic Fleadh in New York and New Jersey, and won five Senior All-Ireland Fleadh medals across Derry, Ennis, and Tullamore, all before turning twenty. Amy Law, is an Irish fiddler and Sean-nós dancer from Southern California who has been playing music and dancing for over 20 years.

Macdara Yeates / Torrin Ryan & Amy Law

ALASH are masters of Tuvan throat singing (xöömei), a remarkable technique for singing multiple pitches at the same time. What distinguishes this group from earlier generations of Tuvan throat singers is the subtle infusion of modern influences into their traditional music. One can find complex harmonies, western instruments, and contemporary song forms in Alash’s music, but its overall sound and spirit remain decidedly Tuvan. Trained in traditional Tuvan music since childhood, the Alash musicians studied at Kyzyl Arts College just as Tuva was beginning to open up to the West. They formed a traditional ensemble and won multiple awards for traditional throat singing in international xöömei competitions, both as an ensemble and as individuals. At the same time, they paid close attention to new trends coming out of the West. They have borrowed newideas that mesh well with the sound and feel of traditional Tuvan music, but they have never sacrificed the integrity of their own heritage in an effort to make their music more popular. Alash first toured the U.S. under the sponsorship of the OpenWorld Leadership program of the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Arts. Since then they have returned many times, to the delight of American audiences. The Washington Post described their music as “utterly stunning,” saying that after the performance “audience members picked their jaws up off the floor.”

Alash – Masters of Tuvan throat singing

The word été in French means summer – a fitting tribute to how this trio’s original, lively take on Québec traditional music is infused with a new vitality. With lush vocal harmonies, deep groove, and rich instrumentation, É.T.É are an explosive trio on stage, transforming the nostalgia of a kitchen party into an unforgettable show experience that celebrates the joie de vivre of Québecois culture. É.T.É are Élisabeth Moquin (fiddle, step-dancing, vocals), Thierry Clouette (bouzouki, vocals), and Élisabeth Giroux (cello, vocals). Awarded the 2020 Gala GAMIQ Album of the Year award in Traditional Music, plus the OPUS prize for “Discovery of the Year 2017-2018” among many other accolades since their first album release in 2017, this trio is winning over the hearts of listeners worldwide, young and old alike.

É.T.É – Music from Quebec

If you like your Celtic music loud, this concert is for you! At long last, Blackstone River Theatre hosts the return of Tempest, celebrating 38 years of Celtic Rock music! Since forming in 1988, Tempest has delivered a globally-renowned hybrid of high-energy Folk Rock, fusing Irish reels, Scottish ballads, Norwegian influences and other world music elements. The last 30-plus years have seen the San Francisco Bay Area-based act release 18 critically acclaimed albums, and play more than 2,500 gigs. The current line-up of the band features all the original members, performing a variety of selections from the band’s extensive repertoire, sparking with vitality and energy. Hailing from Oslo, Norway, founder and lead singer/electric mandolinist, Lief Sorbye, is recognized as a driving force in the modern folk-rock movement. He started Tempest after years of touring and recording on the folk circuit. He is joined by Bay Area native Rob Wullenjohn on guitar and San Diego’s Ian Butler on bass. Rob and Ian rejoined the band after performing an impromptu reunion concert in Berkeley, California, that rekindled the original spirit of Tempest. Vermont-born fiddler Jon Berger first joined the band in 1993. He is now back, bringing his passion for Celtic and British Isles traditional music. Audience favorite, Cuban-born drummer Adolfo Lazo, thickens the band’s sound with inventive rhythms, and rock-steady drumming. After more than three decades Adolfo has never missed a Tempest gig! Tempest is regularly featured at prestigious festivals such as The Philadelphia Folk Festival, and has also appeared at Denmark’s Skagen Festival, Britain’s Cropredy Festival and The Winnipeg Folk Festival in Canada. The band is a mainstay at countless American Celtic festivals, as well.

Tempest – Celtic Rock

Twenty years on from winning the Danny Kyle Open Stage Award at Celtic Connections, Breabach remain securely ranked amongst Scotland’s most skilled & imaginative contemporary-folk acts and at the forefront of the burgeoning traditional music scene. The band unites deep roots in Highland and Island Gaelic tradition alongside progressive musical influences and have cultivated a unique sound, anchoring double bagpipes, fiddle, whistle, step-dance and song with energetic double bass and guitar accompaniment. Versatility, love of experimentation and a willingness to push the boundaries of Scottish roots music have endured as the core values of the band over the past two decades. With 8 critically acclaimed studio releases to date, an extensive global touring schedule which has seen them perform from the Sydney Opera House to Central Park NY, and having received recognition with 6 BBC ALBA Traditional Music Awards, a 2023 German Record Critic’s Award, and as “European Folk Group of the year finalists” in the prestigious Songlines Awards. Breabach are: Megan Henderson (Fiddle/Vocals/Step Dance), James Lindsay (Double Bass/Vocals), Calum MacCrimmon (Highland Bagpipe/Whistle/Bouzouki/Vocals), Conal McDonagh (Highland Bagpipe/Uilleann pipes/Whistle/Vocals), and Ewan Robertson (Guitar/Cajon/Vocals).

Breabach – Music from Scotland

With multiple Canadian Folk Music Awards, Genticorum have earned a reputation as a leading voice in the evolution of Québécois traditional music. For over twenty years, the trio has earned a place of privilege on world, traditional, folk and Celtic music stages. Known for their unbridled energy, their musicianship, and their magnetic stage presence, Pascal Gemme and Yann Falquet, the group’s two founding members, are both recognized individually as major contributors to the trad music scene in Québec. Since 2015, they have been joined by accomplished multi-instrumentalist and composer Nicholas Williams (flute, accordion). Together, they weave precise and intricate fiddle, flute, and accordion work, gorgeous vocal harmonies,and energetic foot percussion and guitar accompaniment into a high-energy musical feast. The band was named “Ensemble of the Year” at the 2024 Canadian Folk Music Awards. Pascal Gemme (fiddle, feet, voice) is widely recognized as a cultural ambassador for Québécois music. Yann Falquet is one of the most active and creative acoustic guitar players in the Québécois and New England music scenes. Since completing a bachelor’s degree in jazz, he has developed his own personal guitar style for Québec folk music. Nicholas Williams has developed a reputation as a versatile and sought-after musician in the traditional music scenes of Québec and New England. His rhythmic yet nuanced style of flute playing draws from Irish and Scottish traditions, as well as from his studies of classical North Indian music.

Genticorum

Today’s matinee concert will be presented with two sets and will feature special guest Fishel Michael Bresler! Multi-instrumentalists Cathy Clasper-Torch and Shelley Katsh bring years of music making and friendship to a virtuoso collaboration of musicianship and spirit. Their repertoire, as heard on their previous CD, “From the Inside Out” as well as on their 2024 CD “With Woven Hands” is infused with melodies ancient and contemporary – played “straight from the heart.” Clasper-Torch performs violin, cello, erhu and piano with a diverse range of RI-based bands and musicians, and has recorded on over 3 dozen albums. Cathy has also been the fiddle instructor at Blackstone River Theatre since 2006. Shelley Katsh, on piano and accordion, performed klezmer and Hassidic music with Fishel Bresler and a range of Boston-based klezmer musicians for 20 years. She currently accompanies and sings with several Rhode Island musical groups. Click link for video clip! IMG_1706 Cathy and Shelley will be joined today by Fishel Bresler on clarinet, flute, mandolin, guitar. After performing in venues from the street to Carnegie Hall in styles from bluegrass to vaudeville, Fishel studied klezmer clarinet and mandolin with recognized master Andy Statman. He has toured with mandolinist David Grisman’s ensemble, and spent thousands of hours in Chassidic communities collecting tunes and absorbing the music in its natural setting. For the past four decades, in addition to performing, he has been providing therapeutic music in settings such as Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

Cathy Clasper-Torch & Shelley Katsh

We are thrilled to bring back our friends Lúnasa with their “Irish Winter Solstice Celebration” concert featuring special guest vocalist Dave Curley! Named for a Celtic harvest festival in honor of the Irish god Lugh, patron of the arts, Lúnasa is indeed a gathering of some of the top musical talents in Ireland. For more than 20 years, its members have formed the backbone of some of the greatest Irish groups of the decade. Bassist Trevor Hutchinson was a key member of The Waterboys. Kevin Crawford, considered to be among the finest flutists in Ireland, played with Moving Cloud, and piper Cillian Vallely comes from the same talented musical family as brother Niall, of the Karan Casey Band. Dynamic guitarist Patrick Doocey will be joined by the amazing fiddler, Colin Farrell. Inspired by the legendary Irish group The Bothy Band, Lúnasa uses melodic interweaving of wind and string instruments pairing flutes, fiddle, whistle and pipes in breathtaking arrangements. They are universally acclaimed as one of the best Irish bands in the world. Dave Curley, a multi-instrumentalist, singer and dancer from Corofin, Co. Galway, has been making big waves in the Irish music scene in the last decade. After graduating from the University of Limerick’s groundbreaking Irish Music and Dance programme with 1st class honours, Dave became a creative member of award-winning bands SLIDE and RUNA.

Lúnasa – Irish Winter Solstice Celebration

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