Rising Appalachia in Concert at The Colonial Theatre

Rising Appalachia brings to the stage a collection of sounds, stories, and songs steeped in tradition and a devotion to world culture. Intertwining a deep reverence for folk music and a passion for justice, they have made it their life’s work to sing songs that speak to something ancient yet surging with relevance. Whether playing at Red Rocks or in rail cars, at Italian street fairs or to Bulgarian herbalists, this fiercely independent band has blazed a unique and colorful path across the globe. 11 years into their movement, Rising Appalachia believes that the roots of all these old songs are vital to our ever evolving soundscape.

Led by the collective voice of sisters Leah and Chloe, and joined by their beloved band – percussionist Biko Casini and bassist/guitarist David Brown – Rising Appalachia is a melting pot of folk music simplicity, textured songwriting, and those bloodline harmonies that only siblings can pull off. Listen for a tapestry of song, clawhammer banjo tunes, fiddle, double bass, acoustic guitar, djembe, barra, bodhran, spoken word, and a wealth of musical layering that will leave you called to action and lulled into rhythmic dance simultaneously. It is both genre bending and familiar at the same time. Proudly born and raised in the concrete jungle of Atlanta, Georgia, sharpening their instincts in the mountains of Appalachia, and fine tuning their soul on the streets of New Orleans they have crafted a 6-album career from the dusts of their passion.

Lonesome Ace Stringband’s Old-Timey Music at Rialto Theatre

Modern old-time sounds for those who love bluegrass and folk, that’s how the Lonesome Ace Stringband describes their music. The Great North Woods Committee for the Arts is hosting the band at a concert on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at the Rialto Theatre, starting at 7 p.m.

The Lonesome Ace Stringband is an old-time band with Bluegrass chops that play some righteous folk and country music. There’s a depth of groove and sense of space not often heard in bluegrass today, a level of instrumental interplay and vocal blend uncommon in old-time, and an on-stage rapport that transcends all of this.

Three Canadians lost in the weird and wonderful traditional Country music of the American South, the band members Chris Coole (on banjo), John Showman (on fiddle) and Max Heineman (on bass) are each journeyman musicians and veterans of some of Canada’s top roots music acts (New Country Rehab, The David Francey Band, The Foggy Hogtown Boys, Fiver).

The band has toured internationally, been engaged at some of the largest festivals in North America and Europe (including Merlefest, Rockygrass, Wintergrass, Winnipeg Folk Festival, Vancouver Folk Festival, Gooikorts, John Hartford Memorial), and recorded four albums. On the first two albums, “Old Time” (2014), and “Gone For Evermore” (2016) the band leaned heavily on the traditional old-time cannon to express what it needed to say musically. In 2018, with the release of “When the Sun Comes Up,” the band showcased its songwriting and studio savvy, offering up a more progressive interpretation of old-time music, and taking its sound to new places. All three albums have been embraced by both fans and critics alike.

The fourth album, “Modern Old-Time Sounds for the Bluegrass and Folksong Jamboree,” showcases the band’s musical range, interpretive skills, and instrumental/vocal “chops blended with maturity.”

Tickets for the Lancaster show are $18 per person will be available at the Rialto Theatre, online at www.gnwca.org, or at Fiddleheads on Main St. in Colebrook. For more information on this and other GNWCA events, call 246-8998, visit www.gnwca.org or find the GNWCA on Facebook.

St. Kieran Arts Presents: Ken Kolodner Trio

Three top-of-the-list instrumentalists on Hammered Dulcimer, Fiddle & Banjo – the Ken Kolodner Trio is Ken & Brad Kolodner, with Rachel Eddy.

The dynamic father-son duo Ken & Brad Kolodner weave together a captivating soundscape on hammered dulcimer, banjo and fiddles, pushing the boundaries of the Old-Time tradition into uncharted territory. Regarded as one of the most influential hammered dulcimer players and Old-Time fiddlers in North America, Baltimore’s Ken Kolodner has joined forces with his son Brad Kolodner, a rising star in the claw hammer banjo world. Together, they infuse their own brand of driving, innovative, tasteful and unique interpretations of traditional and original fiddle tunes and songs. They perform tight musical arrangements of original and traditional old-time music with a “creative curiosity that lets all listeners know that a passion for traditional music yet thrives in every generation.” They perform on occasion with multi-instrumentalist Rachel Eddy (fiddle, banjo, guitar and vocals), a former member of the Old-Time supergroup Uncle Earl.

Tickets: $15.00 (adults) and $10.00 (under 18)

Energetic Young Band From Scotland at Rialto Theatre

Heron Valley, an energetic, young folk band from Scotland is in the midst of a U.S. tour, with a stop planned in Lancaster.

They will be making their debut appearance in the region on Tuesday, March 12, when the band takes to the stage at the Rialto Theatre at 80 Main Street, beginning at 7 p.m. The concert is presented by the Great North Woods Committee for the Arts.

Heron Valley is a five-piece band that brings with them their unique Scottish sound and high-energy performance with a lineup of bagpipes, fiddle, vocals, whistles, banjo, guitar, piano, drums and bass. The band’s roots lie in Scottish and Irish traditional music, while taking influence from various folk, country and bluegrass styles. The group includes Alex Mackechnie on fiddle, accordion and guitar, Nick Hamilton on drums and banjo, Abigail Pryde on vocals and guitar, Euan McNab on bagpipes, whistles and guitar, and Callum Cronin on bass guitar.

Right from the start, Heron Valley quickly established a major impact on the folk scene in Scotland, and saw the group branch out to 11 festival stages all over the United Kingdom. The year 2017 saw Heron Valley on a tour of over 20 festivals around the UK and Europe. With the exuberant reaction they received at these gigs, the demand was on for more of their music. Heron Valley released its debut album, “Roam,” in May 2017. This was extremely well received, featuring eight tracks of self-penned songs and lively sets of familiar tunes.

Tickets are $15 per person, available at the door or in advance at the Rialto Theater in Lancaster or at Fiddleheads on Main Street in Colebrook. You can also order tickets through the GNWCA’s website. Visit www.gnwca.org or call 246-8998 for more information.

Celtic American Holiday Concert with Low Lily, John Whelan & Katie McNally

Don’t miss this wonderful Celtic American Holiday Concert featuring Low Lily, seven times All-Ireland button accordionist John Whelan, and Scottish and Cape Breton fiddler Katie NcNally!

The string and vocal trio Low Lily explores the roots and branches of American folk music with traditional influences and modern inspiration that weaves together a unique brand of acoustic music. Liz Simmons (vocals and guitar), Flynn Cohen (vocals, guitar, and mandolin), and Lissa Schneckenburger (vocals and fiddle) are masterful players with deep relationships to traditional music styles ranging from bluegrass to Irish, Scottish, New England, and Old Time Appalachian sounds. When you combine this with stellar composition skills and inventive arrangements you get music that is rooted yet contemporary.

Low Lily’s new full-length album, 10,000 Days Like These, brings its members’ histories together and also takes a step forward with originals, covers, and overall, fresh new music. Simmons produced the album, creating a running thread through the project of political, personal, and occasionally humorous and quirky subject matter. The trio’s previous self-entitled EP was released in 2015.

Celtic master John Whelan and his red, two-row button accordion have been inseparable since the first day he picked up the instrument at age 11 in Dunstable, England. He has won six All-Britain championships and seven All-Ireland titles.

Scottish and Cape Breton fiddler Katie McNally has performed and taught fiddle courses in the U. S., Canada, Spain, Scotland, England and France. She has played at the Newport Folk Festival, the Barns at Wolf Trap, The Freight and Salvage, and the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes, as well as various folk venues throughout North America.

Ken & Brad Kolodner with Alex Lacquement — Music At The Medallion

The dynamic father-son team of Ken and Brad Kolodner weave together a captivating soundscape on hammered dulcimer, banjo and fiddle, pushing the boundaries of the old-time tradition into uncharted territory.

Regarded as one of the most influential hammered dulcimer players in North America, Baltimore’s Ken Kolodner has joined forces with his son Brad Kolodner, a rising star in the claw-hammer banjo world. Together, they infuse their own brand of driving, innovative, tasteful and unique interpretations of traditional and original fiddle tunes and songs.

Rounding out the trio is multi-instrumentalist Alex Lacquement. Together, they perform tight musical arrangements of original and traditional old-time music with a “creative curiosity that lets all listeners know that a passion for traditional music yet thrives in every generation.”

Tickets are $15 in advance & $20 at the door.