Bengal's Corner

with Jeremiah McLane on accordion and piano!

Not to miss - Believe me, it will be a night of pure fun!!


Magic happens when Donna Hébert and Max Cohen play music together. Donna’s trademark fiddle rhythms and Max’s impeccable groove-guitar combine for a truly enchanting experience. Concerts draw from Donna’s 40 years of French-Canadian and Celtic fiddling and her original tunes and songs in programs equally shared with Max’s effervescent guitar solos and original songs.





Tuesday, February 10th, from 6:30pm to 9:00pm.

Location:
Boston College, Connolly House (Irish Studies)
300 Hammond Ave, Chestnut Hill Cove, MD

Contact Info:
(617)552-3938 or irish (at) bc.edu

The Annual Comhaltas "Echoes of Érin" concert tour of Britain crosses the water to Liverpool on Friday, February 20th. The tour takes in nine venues throughout Britain, from Liverpool to London, taking in the North of England, Scotland and Birmingham on the way. The final concert will take place in Cardiff on Saturday, 28th February. The Comhaltas concert tour now in its 35th year consists of a fine mix of established artistes together with up-and-coming young performers. These are blended into fast-moving and colourful concert of music, song and dance which appeals to both the connoisseurs and peripheral fans of Irish traditional culture.

The Tours showcase all that's best in Irish traditional music fifteen top class performers in all instruments have been assembled to display the highest standards and regional styles that have become synonymous with these events down through the years.

The talented performers selected for this tour, have already thrilled audiences the length and breadth of Ireland during their concert tour there in October 2008. Looking for Christmas presents for friends or family member's tickets for the concert would make an ideal gift.

Concert artists are

Caitríona Sears (Dublin) - Fiddle
Nell Ní Chróinín (Cork) - Singer
Seán Ó Sé (Cork) - Fear a' Tí/Singer
Humphrey Murphy (Cork) - Flute/Singer
Niamh Denmead (Dublin) - Harp
Eoin Ó Súilleabháin (Limerick) - Banjo
Aoife Greene (Galway) - Concertina
Darren Breslin (Fermanagh) - Accordion
James Duggan (Kerry) - Fiddle
Phádraig Sinnott (Wexford) - Uilleann Pipes
Clare Mc Dermott (Cavan) - Dancer
James Mounsey (Tipperary) - Dancer
Aisling McMahon (Clare) - Concertina/Dancer
Éamonn Moloney (Limerick) - Flute/Dancer

Tour Venues and dates

Friday 20th February - St Michael's Irish Centre, 6 Boundary Lane, Liverpool
Saturday 21st February - Scotland Airdrie Town Hall
Sunday 22nd February - Tyneside Irish Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne
Monday 23rd February - Bolton Albert Halls, Victoria Square, Bolton
Tuesday 24th February - Cambridge Mumford theatre, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge
Wednesday 25th February - Birmingham Irish Club, High Street, Birmingham
Thursday 26th February - St Albans, The Maltings Arts centre
Friday 27th February - London Camden Irish centre, 52 Camden Sq, London
Saturday 28th February - University Hospital of Wales, Sports and Social Club Heath Park, Cardiff

Quebecois traditional music fiddler, *David Boulanger*, and Quebecois women choral music group, *Galant, tu perds ton temps* will perform at the Champlain Valley Folk Festival(Burlington, VT) along with *The Beaudoin Legacy*!!

Jul,31th - Aug, 02nd

Come watch them bringing down the house and take part on it! :)

The Fromagerie Victoria welcomes La Volée d’Castors on the 31st January!
La Volée d’Castors will perform at the Fromagerie Victoria in Victoriaville for the second year running on the 31st January.


La Volée d’Castors at the Festival du voyageur in Winnipeg in February
To continue their tradition of touring in the Canadian West, La Volée d’Castors will visit Manitoba on the 13th and 14th February. They will be offering various performances and workshops to the people of Manitoba as part of the Festival du voyageur.


Saint-André-Avellin concert hall presents the Castors on the 28th February
La Volée d’Castors will tread the boards at the Théâtre des quatre sœurs on the 28th February to fire up this concert hall in the Outaouais region. Come along to a La Volée d’Castors show – what a great way to end the month of February!

[Press release] When three major talents combine in one musical group, great things can happen. Take the new Pioneer Valley-based Celtic trio, Mist Covered Mountains. Playing Celtic roots music from Ireland, Scotland and French-Canada, the trio takes a fresh look at old favorites, also penning tunes destined for the fiddling canon. Award-winning fiddler Donna Hébert delivers encyclopedically accurate styling, aided and abetted by groovemaster Max Cohen’s guitar rhythms. With Katherine First’s driving, brilliant fiddle (and her colorful cowboy boots!) kicking the group into overdrive, you’d better nail down the stage for this trio!

A 2008 Massachusetts Artists’ Fellow in the Folk Arts, Donna has a duo with Max and also plays with him in Franco-American heritage group The Beaudoin Legacy and old-time band Groovemama. With Groovemama, they perform and teach every summer at Old Songs and Philadelphia Folk Festivals, while with the Beaudoins, they are deeply involved in the Vermont-Quebec Quadricentennial celebrations.

Donna also fiddles and sings with Franco group Chanterelle, still going since 1993. Donna also co-founded Valley favorites Rude Girls in 1985, winning an Indie Award with them for their “Rude Awakening” Flying Fish debut. Her credits since include major U.S., Canadian and European festivals, residencies and conferences as well as anthology recordings on Smithsonian/Folkways. A pioneering fiddle teacher, “Donna gets it all right” says string legend Darol Anger in his introduction to her new “Fiddling Demystified for Strings.”

Katherine & Max’s duo has played many venues in the Pioneer Valley, including First Night 2008. Max not only performs with fiddlers Katherine and Donna, but also with folksingers Priscilla Herdman and Leah Kunkel as well as with Norman Blaine’s progressive rock band, The Authentix.

This year both Donna and Katherine released fiddling CDs. Donna completed the companion Fiddlejam CD to her pioneering Fiddling Demsytified for Strings, while The Beaudoin Legacy released a live concert CD, Une bonne soirée: Live at the Blackstone River Theatre. Donna has released ten other solo and band recordings.

Katherine’s new CD, The Sweet Spot, has been a hit at local performances. Additionally, when not on the road, she leads the Session at The Basement in Northampton. Says Valley Free Radio, “Katherine First delivers traditional tunes with finesse and firepower.”

Max’s solo guitar CD, Saltwater Color received lofty praise. Guitar For The Practicing Musician raved, calling Max one of the “most musically complete players we have seen.”

Trio members also play with other fine New England musicians who may show up on stage with the trio, including Nightingale piano and accordionist Jeremiah McLane, who plays with Max and Donna at Boston College this February 10th! Also joining the trio is Scottish multi-instrumentalist Dan Houghton from Vermont band Cantrip. Dan excels at everything from Gaelic and English songs to bouzouki to Scottish pipes, flute and whistle.

The trio is currently working on a demo and is booking performing arts venues in New England. Their media tracks are available on their home page.

To hear Katherine and Max on tracks from The Sweet Spot and for more information about Katherine, please check out: link.

And for Donna and Max’s performance Oct 4 for the Massachusetts Cultural Council (sampled on YouTube) and for their duo media kit, please go to: link.

The 49th University of Chicago Folk Festival will happen 6-8 February 2009.

Lisa Ornstein and André Marchand are featured performers at the evening concerts Saturday and Sunday, and will be presenting free (donation optional) fiddle, singing, and dancing workshops during the day on Saturday and Sunday.

It's also a tradition for local musicians to bring their instruments and informally play music during the day.

More information can be found at their official website.

Celtic Legends
15th March - Salle Leo Lagrange, Beaumont, France, 8.30pm
3rd April - Salle des Fetes, Melun, France, 8.30pm

Flames of the Dance
25th April - Stadtcasino, Basel, Switzerland, 7pm

Lord of the Dance
27th January - Civic Center, Butte, MT, USA, 7.30pm
28th January - Mansfield Center for the PA, Great Falls, MT, USA, 7.30pm
21st-22nd February - Plaza Civic Center, Rapid City, SD, USA, 2.30pm
23rd February - Lied Center for the PA, Lincoln, NE, USA, 7.30pm

For complete schedule for these and other shows please visit our tour section.

Still there is time! Go for it because it's assured fun!!
Bengal.

(Click on image to see it bigger)

This is a brief message from Michel Riopel, organiser of the Chantez-Vous Bien Chez Nous festival on the 20, 21, 22 of February: don't line up in the cold before the festival to buy tickets at the door, like happened last year... Tickets are only available through admission or toll free in the US at (800) 678-5440.

[Thanks, Anjili!]

Chantez Vous
Les groupes participants à notre 6^e édition ont été particulièrement généreux. C'est 28 disques que vous pourrez gagner cette année. Le concours est divisé en quatre semaines. Débutant le 18 janvier il se termine le 14 février 2009.

Chaque semaine, 7 disques seront tirés au sort parmi les participants ayant trouvé la bonne réponse à la question de la semaine. Il y aura un Grand Prix qui sera tiré le 15 février 2009 à 9 h parmi tous les participants.

Il consiste en:
Une nuitée le vendredi 20 février 2009 avec déjeuner pour deux personnes à la Maison Cheney située à St-Ours-sur-Richelieu avec deux billets pour les spectacles du 20 et 21 février 2009.

Pour participer:
Envoyez votre réponse avec votre numéro de téléphone à Info. Les disques seront choisis au hasard parmi ceux de La famille Cantin, Grav'Ô Portes, La Tuque Bleue, Les Mononcles, Claude Méthé et la famille Roy-Côté.

Semaine du 18 au 24 janvier 2009, tirage le 25 janvier 2009
Question: Nommez la chanson dans le vidéo promotionnel de 2008 que l'on peut entendre à l'ouverture du site?

Semaine du 25 au 31 janvier 2009, tirage le 1^er février 2009
Question: à venir le 25 janvier..

Semaine du 1^er au 7 février 2009, tirage le 8 février 2009
Question: à venir le 1^er février..

Semaine du 8 au 14 février 2009, tirage le 15 février 2009
Question: à venir le 8 février..

Montreal-based group Reveillons! (Richard Forest, the brothers Berthiaume, Marc Maziade) will be the Quebecois entry at the Dance Flurry Festival next month. Many other styles of music and dance will also be represented as well as the main contra dances. See you there?

Vonnie

Une plus grande salle à l´ambiance chaleureuse incomparable.
Désormais vous n´aurez plus à réserver vos places à l´avance.

Possibilité de manger avant le spectacle: cuisine du terroir québécois, grillades de gibiers et spécialités Amérindiennes. Menu complet.

Au programme ce dimanche :
Les temps qui courent avec Nathalie Derome

Anecdotes, pensées du jour, monologues, chansons, Nathalie Derome nous accueille dans sa boîte à bijoux et revisite son répertoire. Comédienne, performeuse, poète, chanteuse, raconteuse et ratoureuse, elle arpente la scène à sa manière et en toute liberté. Nathalie Derome, c’est la fille dans la craque du plancher.

10$ Contribution volontaire suggérée

Dès le 18 janvier 2009
Les Dimanches du conte auront lieu à 20h00 au Cabaret du Roy
363, de la commune Est, Vieux-Montréal, (514) 907-9000. Métro Champ-de-mars

Info spectacle: 514-277-9084

***********************
EVENTS IN CENTRAL TEXAS
***********************

# Sunday, January 11, 2009

Craobh Thir na gCnoc (Gaelic League of Austin) meeting
La Madeleine
35th & Lamar
Austin, TX
3 - 4 PM
Link


# Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Scottish Society of San Antonio
Monthly board meeting
Covenant Presbyterian Church
Roleta Drive
San Antonio, TX
7 PM
Link


# Saturday, January 17, 2009

Burns Supper
commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the Bard's Birth
presented by the Scottish Country Dance Alliance of Austin
Clarion Inns and Suites Ballroom
NW quadrant of I35 and Oltorf
Austin, TX
7 PM
$35
Traditional Burns Supper followed by ceilidh dancing
Musical guest: Ed Miller
For tickets and other info contact Anne Marshall at 512/263-9574 or
acmars at austin.rr.com


# Sunday, January 18, 2009

Irish Cultural Society of San Antonio
St. Gregory the Great Hall
709 Beryl
San Antonio, TX
(210) 342-5334
4 PM (business meeting at 3 PM)
Link


# Monday, January 19, 2009

Gilmer & Moore
Genuine Joe
2001 W. Anderson Lane
Austin, TX
8 - 10 PM
Link


************************************************
EVENTS IN EAST TEXAS, MISSISSIPPI, AND LOUISIANA
************************************************

# Tuesdays in January

Royal Scottish Country Dance Society social
Dad's Club
1006 Voss Rd.
North of I-10 between Bingle & Campbell
Houston, TX
7:30 - 9:30 PM
$5
Link


# Monday, January 12, 2009

Highlands and Islands social & business meetings
Lookout 49
(function room upstairs)
Hwy 49, North of 1-10, near K-Mart
Gulfport, MS
6 PM social
6:30 PM meeting
Link


# Thursday-Saturday, January 15-17, 2009

Lonestar Stout
Grand Opening
Angel and the Ox
The Village at Cinco Ranch
22758 Westheimer Parkwy
Katy, TX
281/380-1917
8 PM


# Saturday, January 17, 2009

Ronan Tynan
1894 Grand Opera House
Galveston, TX


# Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Thistle & Harp: Celtic Heritage Society of East Texas
Monthly meeting
Oakland Heights Baptist Church
1607 Judson Rd
Longview, TX
7 - 9 PM
Link


*********************************************
EVENTS IN NORTH TEXAS, OKLAHOMA, AND ARKANSAS
*********************************************

# Sunday, January 11, 2009

Advanced open session
led by the Trinity Hall Session Players
Trinity Hall Irish Pub and Restaurant
5321 East Mockingbird Lane #250
Dallas, TX
214-887-3600
3 - 6 PM
Contact Ken Fleming at ken.fleming@tx.rr.com for information.
Link


# Monday, January 12, 2009

Traditional Irish session
The Flying Saucer
323 President Clinton Ave.
Little Rock, AR
7:30 PM
Musicians, dancers, and listeners of all ages and skill levels are
welcome. Sponsored by the Arkansas Celtic Music Society. Contact Weesa
Boyd at 501/602-5508 for information.


# Thursday, January 15, 2009

Traditional Irish session
Something Brewing
1156 Front St.
Little Rock, AR
6:30 PM
Musicians, dancers, and listeners of all ages and skill levels are
welcome. Sponsored by the Arkansas Celtic Music Society. Contact Weesa
Boyd at 501/602-5508 for information.


# Friday, January 16, 2009

High Plains Scottish Heritage Society meeting & potluck
Fellowship Hall
St. Luke's Presbyterian Church
3000 South Bell Street
Amarillo, TX
7 PM


# Saturday, January 17, 2009

Behan
Tipperary Inn
5815 Live Oak
Dallas, TX
(214) 821-6500
8 PM


*********************
EVENTS IN SOUTH TEXAS
*********************

# Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Scottish Society of San Antonio
Monthly board meeting
Covenant Presbyterian Church
Roleta Drive
San Antonio, TX
7 PM
Link

Scottish Society of South Texas
Lower Valley meeting
First Presbyterian Church
402 E. Jackson
Harlingen, TX
Refreshments 6:30 PM
Meeting 7:30 PM
Link


# Sunday, January 18, 2009

Irish Cultural Society of San Antonio
St. Gregory the Great Hall
709 Beryl
San Antonio, TX
(210) 342-5334
4 PM (business meeting at 3 PM)
Link


# Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Scottish Society of South Texas
Upper Valley meeting
First Presbyterian Church
McAllen, TX
7 PM
Link

Attention all MALE Irish Dancers. We are looking for a Male Irish Dancers who is also capable of singing and performing modern dancing steps also. You must be 18 years of age or over. It is to perform in the Eurovision in Moscow.

For more information please contact Stefan Toth MRG on 0851042138 or email:
stefan.toth at gmail.com or stoth at centrum.sk.

Closing date is 1st February, 2009.

Link 1.
Link 2.

The deadline is approaching for applications to the 2009 Rome Festival Orchestra Summer Institute: June 21 to July 13, 2009

APPLY AS A JANUARY CANDIDATE

- Live among the inspirations of Rome, Italy in the heart of the historic center

- Join artists from around the world

- Perform symphonic works and fully staged opera and ballet with the Rome Festival Orchestra, Opera, Chorus, and Ballet. (See below summer repertoire of 2008 Rome Festival Orchestra.

- Perform chamber music with dedicated artists

- Find general information, email addresses of alumni, and application forms at website.

Apply NOW for remaining financial aid.

This opportunity is sponsored jointly by an American educational charity and an Italian associazione culturale specifically for professional and pre-professional level performers. Email me directly to learn the best opportunities for you. Kindly include your instrument, your career status, and name of your orchestra or ensemble.

I look forward to hearing from you and helping you.

Connie Galatilis
Administrator
romefestival at yahoo.com

Bonjour,

Tradosphère aimerait savoir quel fut votre album trad préféré dans ceux qui furent lancés en 2008. L’album qui recevra le plus de vote dans le cadre de ce sondage hautement-pas-scientifique recevra le Tradostar « Prix du public » lors de notre prochaine émission. Vous pouvez répondre en m’écrivant à:
chroniquetradosphere at gmail.com

Prière de ne pas le faire sur la page de Musique traditionnelle sur Facebook, ce serait encombrant et pas mal moins évident à compiler!

Vous trouverez une liste des parutions (pas garantie exhaustive mais pas loin) en format pdf à cette adresse.

Merci beaucoup,

Christiane Campagna, Tradosphère
Tradosphère: 101,5 FM ou CIBL tous les mardis soirs de 20h30 à 22h.

Be aware of the deadline for early registration for the 2nd Annual Sean-nós Northwest Festival is this January 10th...

Program highlights:

Friday, Jan. 16
Irish Ceili Dance 8:00 PM - 12:30 PM
PPAA, 618 SE Alder, Portland, OR
Music: CRUMAC
Special guests: Áine Meenaghan, Brían Ó hAirt and Ben Power

Saturday, Jan. 17
Sunnyside School, 3421 SE Salmon, Portland, OR

Workshops with:
Áine Meenaghan (Sean-nós Singing), Brían Ó hAirt (Irish Language), Ben Power (Sean-nós Dance)

9:45 AM Workshop I
11:00 AM Workshop II
1:00 PM Workshop III
2:15 PM Workshop IV
3:20 PM Participants' Session

Concert 8:00 PM
Áine Meenaghan, Brían Ó hAirt, Ben Power, Mikey Beglan, Sean Williams, Maldon Meehan & Alicia Guinn

$60 registration includes:
Admission to the Friday night céilí
4 workshops
Saturday Evening Concert

Download Registration form.

This is the show I chose to be the first in Quebecois Trad that I would go this year, but I have a talk at work that was scheduled for the very first morning after their performance. It would be OK, if Texas and Maine weren't so far away... :( But I have friends that will go and enjoy, and will tell me every single detail later. If you are around, I strongly suggest this event... I can assure that you will have a lot of fun, besides making great new friends... Enjoy it!

Bengal.

Over the last few years, Genticorum has become one of the most soughtafter proponents of Québécois musical culture, having performed and toured in over 15 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Oceania. Firmly rooted in the soil of their native land, the energetic and original traditional ‘power trio’ also incorporates the dynamism of today’s North American and European folk cultures in their music. They weave precise and intricate fiddle and flute work, gorgeous vocal harmonies, energetic foot percussion and guitar and bass accompaniment into a big and jubilant musical feast. Their distinctive sound, sense of humour and stage presence make them a supreme crowd pleaser.

Their sophomore album Malins Plaisirs was released in Canada in 2005 and won the Canadian Folk Music Award in the “Best Ensemble” category and was nominated for JUNO (Canada) and Felix Awards (Québec). Now released in Europe, in collaboration with the Weatherbox label, the album still collects rave reviews.

Their brand new album, La Bibournoise, was released in Canada in April 2008 and is already garnering critical acclaim. It builds on Genticorum’s trademark sound, combining rollicking interpretations of traditional Quebecois folk songs with a collection of original instrumentals written in the traditional style. Energetic and folky at the same time, excellent in harmonized song as in the most frenzied rhythms; sometimes it’s hard to believe there are just three band-members!

Information:
Price: $12.00
Phone: 207-761-1757
E-mail: tickets at onelongfellowsquare.com
or stop by our Box Office to purchase tickets by cash or check.

This Saturday January 10 at 8:00pm, the Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club Concert Series at the Fair Lawn Community Center will present An Evening with Cathie Ryan.

Cathie Ryan, recognized for her crystalline vocals and insightful songwriting, is an original and distinctive voice in Celtic music. Since her seven year tenure as lead singer of the popular Irish-American group Cherish the Ladies, the Detroit born Ryan has established herself as one of Celtic Music's most popular and enduring singer-songwriters. She has built a following throughout North American and Europe by touring
steadily and singing what she refers to as "songs of the heart". Ryan mixes traditional Irish song with original compositions that touch on subjects of home, family and spirit. She also explores Irish mythology and heritage in her music.

Cathie Ryan has released 4 critically acclaimed CDs on Shanachie Records: "Cathie Ryan", "The Music of What Happens", "Somewhere Along the Road", and her latest "The Farthest Wave". She is featured on more than forty compilations of Celtic Music.

Ryan has performed on national and public television in the United States and Europe, appeared on NPR's Mountain Stage and Thistle and Shamrock, PRI's The World, BBC2 in England, Radio Scotland, and RTE, RnG, and TG4 in Ireland. She was voted one of the Top 100 Irish Americans by Irish America Magazine, Chicago's Irish American News honored her as Irish Female Vocalist of the Decade.

In addition to her music, Cathie Ryan can also be seen on television as the host for Irish pledge programming on NY's Channel 13 - WNET. She also leads workshops and tours of Ireland on Celtic mythology and music.

The Fair Lawn Community Center is located at 10-10 20th Street in Fair Lawn, NJ. Tickets for this concert are only $25 ($22 for Hurdy Gurdy members) and can be purchased online. Remaining tickets will be available at
the box office at the Fair Lawn Community Center on the night of the concert.

Additional information can be received at the website or by calling the Hurdy Gurdy Hotline at (201) 384-1325.

Many of you, who are interested Irish music and dance and Irish traditional music in particular, should enjoy clips from the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (the All-Ireland Music Festival), an annual event put on by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (Gathering of Musicians of Ireland), held most recently in Tulach Mhór (Tullamore), Contae Uíbh Fhailí (County Offaly).

Here is a favorite. Here's another.

You will find many more links at the Comhaltas site and you can subscribe to them by e-mail.

Thanks, Celtic Cafe's Bruce, for the links!

Now that Marc Gunn is a resid​ent of New Orlea​ns, the locals will have many great opportunities to see him performing, starting with this Thursday - his first show in town this year!​

Marc Gunn is Celti​c Ameri​can Music​ian and Podca​ster.​ Good food,​ good drink​ and good compa​ny.​ Folk balla​ds,​ Irish​ drink​ing songs​,​ fanta​sy,​ Sci Fi, and cats on the autoh​arp.​ Embra​ce indep​enden​t Celti​c music​!​

The Kerry​ Irish​ Pub is one of a few Celti​c-​flavo​red venue​s in the Frenc​h Quart​er.​ It has a neigh​borho​od feel and a wide varie​ty of acts perfo​rm there​ night​ly.​

Thurs​day,​ Janua​ry 8, 2009
The Kerry​ Irish​ Pub @ 9 PM
331 Decat​ur Stree​t
New Orlea​ns,​ LA 70130​
(​504)​ 286-​5862

The first concert of the New Year presented by The Commodore Barry Club will feature two of Ireland's premier female vocalists SUSAN McKEOWN and MARY McPARTLAN

Saturday 10th January 2009 at 8:00 PM

The Commodore Barry Club (The Irish Center)
6815 Emlen St, Philadelphia PA
Tickets are $15, $13 for Ceili Group and Commodore Barry Club members at the door.
More information: (215) 843-8051, (215) 248-0502, ceiliconcerts@gmail.com

From both sides of the Atlantic New York-based McKeown and Galway-based McPartlan have distinguished themselves in their careers: both have made a lifelong musical journey of their exploration of Irish song, and both share a deep appreciation for a wider song tradition through their work outside of Irish folk. The two met in the summer of 2008 at the Willie Clancy Week in County Clare, and are delighted to share the stage for this performance - McPartlan’s first in the United States.

GRAMMY award-winning vocalist SUSAN McKEOWN left her hometown of Dublin, Ireland in 1990 to take up a scholarship to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and settled in Manhattan's East Village. In Ireland she had formed The Chanting House with guitarist John Doyle, and in New York they formed a brief musical partnership with Seamus Egan and Eileen Ivers. In 1993, McKeown began a solo career, and her debut album "Bones" (1995) established her as a powerful vocalist and inventive songwriter.

She has since recorded ten albums of original and world music and built an impressive career through her many releases, extensive touring, and performances on programs such as 'A Prairie Home Companion', 'All Things Considered', 'Mountain Stage' and for PBS, 'Sessions at West 54th' and 'American Masters'. Susan's album 'Sweet Liberty' (2004 World Village) was nominated for a BBC Folk Music Award. She has performed with Natalie Merchant, Pete Seeger, Mary Margaret O'Hara, Linda Thompson, Billy Bragg, Johnny Cunningham, Andy Irvine, Kevin Burke, and The Klezmatics, on whose GRAMMY winning album Wonder Wheel: Lyrics by Woody Guthrie, she is prominently featured.

McKeown grabbed both song and audience by the throat, dragged them through heaven and hell and back again, and left the stage to the loudest applause heard all evening. - ROLLING STONE

If there's some dividing line between Celtic traditionalism and eclectic contemporary songwriting, McKeown refuses to acknowledge it. And with a voice as warm, resonant and versatile as hers, why should she? - THE OREGONIAN

MARY McPARTLAN had long established a career in the arts and entertainment industry in Ireland when in 2004 she released her critically acclaimed album The Holland Handkerchief and announced her new career as a professional singer. But it had been in her blood all along. In the early 70s in her native County Leitrim, Mary grew up singing in a musical household: her father Tommy loved the tunes, and her mother Betty was a singer who came from a family of musicians in Plumbridge, Tyrone.

Mary moved to Galway where she helped found the Riabhóg Singers Club. As a producer and director of many music and theatre projects, Mary developed the concept of the National Traditional Music Awards on TG4, Ireland’s national Irish language TV station. She is a founding member and producer of the Galway-based theatre company Skehana. The release of The Holland Handkerchief brought Mary’s formidable vocal talents to a wider audience and established her as a strong presence on the Irish music scene. Her 2008 release Petticoat Loose brought further accolades. This is Mary’s first performance in the US.

Mary McPartlan, the Bessie Smith of traditional music, stilled audiences with her eclectic repertoire and showed the wisdom of planting one foot in the present while the other treads adventurously into the past. THE IRISH TIMES

Blessed with a distinctively evocative and welcoming voice and a strong sense of her own musical personality, Mary and her close collaborator, Shamie O’Dowd of Dervish, have conspired to produce … an incredible debut, and a potential Irish album of the year. - SONGLINES