DONAL CLANCY

JOE K. WALSH & CELIA WOODSMITH QUARTET featuring Bobby Britt and Zoe Guigueno

Call in your reservation for our Feb. 10 show with the Walsh-Woodsmith Quartet to 401-725-9272.

Hailed by David Grisman as a “wonderful mandolin player,” and by Vintage Guitar Magazine as “brilliant,” Boston-based mandolin player Joe K. Walsh is known for his exceptional tone and taste, and his collaborations with acoustic music luminaries including fiddler Darol Anger, banjo star Danny Barnes, guitar hero Scott Nygaard, and folk star Jonathan Edwards. After a number of award-winning years as mandolinist with bluegrass stars the Gibson Brothers, Joe currently splits his time between an inventive string band called Mr Sun, a duo with Grant Gordy, and his own band. An avid educator, Joe is a mandolin professor at the Berklee College of Music and teaches regularly at music camps throughout North America and beyond. Celia Woodsmith is a Grammy-nominated performer and songwriter from Maine. Lead singer of the highly-acclaimed bluegrass ensemble Della Mae, she has toured extensively all over the world, opening for and playing with artists such as Taj Mahal, Peter Rowan and Amy Black of the Indigo Girls. Bobby Britt is a fantastic bluegrass and old-time fiddler from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, currently playing fiddle in the young, hard-driving bluegrass band Town Mountain, which won an International Bluegrass Music Association Momentum award. Zoe Guigueno is a bass player and singer based out of New York City. She is a member of Grammy-nominated Americana band Della Mae, an alumnus of string band Joy Kills Sorrow, and a regular in the New York klezmer scene. 

*All ticket prices include a $1.00 per ticket restoration charge

SEAMUS EGAN PROJECT

Call in your reservation for our Feb. 18 show with the Seamus Egan Project to 401-725-9272.

In 2017, Seamus Egan, founding member of the seminal band Solas, will be touring for the first time ever as The Seamus Egan Project, bringing along friends and musical guests, and introducing fans to both the entirety of his immense and influential catalog of music, as well as new music he’s never recorded or performed live. For this show we will have vocalist/accordion player Moira Smiley (from VOCO), Owen Marshall (from the Press Gang) on bouzouki, and Kyle Sanna on guitar. Beginning with tunes from his groundbreaking album, "When Juniper Sleeps," which was the impetus for the formation of Solas, through the 20 year recording career of this iconic band, along with new tunes, Egan will continue to explore the further reaches of the Irish tradition, and beyond. It’s hard to think of an artist in traditional Irish music more influential than Seamus Egan. From his beginnings as a teen prodigy, to his founding of Irish-American powerhouse band Solas, to his current work as one of the leading composers and interpreters of the tradition, Egan has inspired multiple generations of musicians and helped define the sound of Irish music today. As a multi-instrumentalist, he’s put his mark on the sound of the Irish flute, tenor banjo, guitar, mandolin, tin whistle, and low whistle. As a composer, he was behind the soundtrack for the award-winning film The Brothers McMullen, cowrote Sarah McLachlan’s breakout hit, “Weep Not for the Memories,” and has scored numerous documentaries and indie films since. As a bandleader, Solas has been the pre-eminent Irish-American band of their generation for the past 20 years, continuously renewing Irish music with fresh ideas. As a performer, few others can make so many instruments or such wickedly complex ornaments seem so effortless. Music comes as naturally to Seamus Egan as breath, but his mastery of the tradition is only one facet of his plans to move the music forward. 

*All ticket prices include a $1.00 per ticket restoration charge

THE NEW YORK MANDOLIN ENSEMBLE with Barry Mitterhoff with the L'ESPERANCE MANDOLIN ENSEMBLE

Call in your reservation for our Feb. 24 show with the New York and L'esperance Mandolin Ensembles to 401-725-9272.

L’Esperance Mandolin Ensemble and the New York Mandolin Ensemble will join forces for a spectacular program featuring New England’s and New York’s premiere mandolin ensembles. The New York Mandolin Ensemble, featuring Barry Mitterhoff, Steve Antonelli, and Wayne Fugate, is an eclectic 8-member group of experienced New York-based musicians who seek to expand the traditional boundaries of mandolin music through their original compositions and carefully chosen arrangements of works in the classical, jazz, “downtown” and traditional/ethnic genres. Barry Mitterhoff is a mandolinist who cannot be pigeonholed into one style. He performs a dazzling array of styles that include bluegrass, classical, swing and jazz, and a variety of ethnic styles such as Brazilian, Klezmer and more. He has recorded and played with Tom Chapin, Tony Trischka and others and is now an acclaimed sideman to Jorma Kaukonen and Hot Tuna. L’Esperance features almost 30 musicians of different backgrounds and ages from the Cape Cod area, Rhode Island and Connecticut who come together to enjoy the pleasure of making music with each other. Since 1994, l’Esperance has been sharing that joy with audiences around New England. Their music ranges from classical to contemporary, from Celtic to Klezmer, from rock standards to Baroque. Director of l’Esperance Mandolin Ensemble Joshua Bell was named the Concertmaster of the Providence Mandolin Orchestra in 1979. He has played with the North American Mandolin Ensemble, The American Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra, the Classical Mandolin Society of America and The Tacoma Mandoleers of Washington, D.C.

*All ticket prices include a $1.00 per ticket restoration charge

RUNA

Call in your reservations for our March 3 show with RUNA to 401-725-9272.

Quickly gaining recognition as one of Irish music’s new “super-groups,” RUNA has been enchanting audiences by pushing the boundaries of Irish folk music into the Americana and roots music formats since their formation in 2008. Interweaving the haunting melodies and exuberant tunes of Ireland and Scotland with the lush harmonies and intoxicating rhythms of jazz, bluegrass, flamenco and blues, they offer a thrilling and redefining take on traditional music. The group has been honored internationally, winning Top Group and Top Traditional Group in the Irish Music Awards and four Independent Music Awards including Best Live Album, Best World/Traditional Song and Best Bluegrass Song. RUNA consists of vocalist and step-dancer Shannon Lambert-Ryan of Philadelphia, Dublin-born guitarist Fionán de Barra, Cheryl Prashker of Canada on percussion, Zach White of St. Louis on guitar, vocals and mandolin, and Maggie White of Kentucky on the fiddle and mandolin. RUNA recently released their fifth album, “RUNA: LIVE” which was recorded at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Maryland on March 17, 2016 and is receiving praise on both sides of the Atlantic. 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 individual band members. Their strive for excellence and creativity blazes a trail for the future of folk music, earning them the reputation as one of the most innovative Irish folk groups of this generation.

*All ticket prices include a $1.00 per ticket restoration charge

ROBBIE O'CONNELL with ROSE CLANCY

Call in your reservations for our March 4 show with O'Connell & Clancy to 401-725-9272.

Robbie O'Connell returns to Blackstone River Theatre for a duo performance with dynamic fiddler Rose Clancy. Singer-songwriter Robbie O'Connell was born in Waterford, Ireland, and grew up in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary. In 1977, he joined the legendary Clancy Brothers with whom he recorded 3 albums. With the 1982 release of his first solo album Robbie emerged as an artist of major stature. Soon after, he began touring with Mick Moloney and Jimmy Keane, and also with Eileen Ivers and Seamus Egan in the Green Fields of America. Robbie has earned international acclaim as a singer-songwriter by making it quite clear that there's more to being Irish than filling stereotypes. The Boston Globe describes him as "a writer of timeless-sounding, emotionally powerful and often hilarious songs" and places him "among the most respected guitarists, singer and songwriters in Celtic music." Rose Clancy is a respected, high-energy musician playing fiddle, mandolin and banjo at concerts and festivals throughout the Northeast. A graduate of the violin making program at North Bennet Street School in Boston, Clancy founded and runs The Chatham Fiddle Company in Massachusetts where she also produces traditional music concerts.

*All ticket prices include a $1.00 per ticket restoration charge

KARAN CASEY BAND

Call in your reservations for our March 10 show with Karan Casey to 401-725-9272.

Irish vocalist Karan Casey was a founding member of traditional supergroup Solas, a band known for rousing tunes and striking renditions of traditional songs. Since Solas, Casey has carved out a unique and acclaimed place in contemporary Irish and folk music. Karan has recorded six solo albums, has won Best Irish Female Vocalist twice, Best Irish Folk album and a Grammy for her collaboration with Paul Winter. She has been nominated for the BBC Folk Awards and has performed with Peggy Seeger, Liam Clancy, James Taylor, and Tim O'Brien. USA Today has called her work "shiver-inducingly excellent.” She’ll be joined tonight by guitarist Matt Heaton and bassist Corey DiMario. The Boston Globe says, "Casey's voice is among the loveliest in folk music and she's a wonderful interpreter of both contemporary and traditional material.”

*All ticket prices include a $1.00 per ticket restoration charge

THE HIGH KINGS - 4 PM show is SOLD OUT!

The 4 PM AND 8 PM shows with The High Kings are completely SOLD OUT as of 2/26/18.

There comes a time when the dues have been paid and when the tools of the apprenticeship are neatly stowed away. The honing of the craft continues, but the dust – so to speak – has settled. Almost ten years ago, four Irish singers, performers and songwriters decided to take a calculated risk. The constituent parts of The High Kings – Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy, Martin Furey and Darren Holden – each had a wealth of history in the music business behind them, but knew that in order to maintain any level of creative interest they would have to go where no other Irish ballad group had gone before. In the late ‘90s, the heyday of ballad groups such as The Clancy Brothers and The Dubliners was a distant memory for generations of music fans. To have another bunch of Irish lads taking up the baton and continuing the tradition was great news to thousands of fans worldwide. Their 2008 self-titled debut album reached number two on Billboard Magazine’s World Music chart. But it was during their 2nd tour of the US in 2011 that everyone involved realized the fanbase was growing into something no one had predicted. More was to come in 2013 with the group’s third studio album, "Friends For Life," which featured original songs among the traditional fare. The development of original songwriting – ballad-style but with contemporary touches – from each member continues but The High Kings decided balance must be maintained so their 4th studio album, "Grace & Glory," takes them back to the essentials that kick-started their career in the first place. To say that The High Kings are charting a new course for Irish ballad music – equal parts rousing and reflective, energetic and insightful – is an understatement. They are, essentially, marking out a new and bright era for Irish folk music, and aiming to bring a broad demographic along for the journey. The High Kings have vowed to continue for another decade following the departure of Martin Furey in late 2017, the addition of new member George Murphy, and their first ‘Best Of’ collection “DECADE" being released to critical and popular acclaim in November, 2017. 

*All ticket prices include a $1.00 per ticket restoration charge

THE HIGH KINGS - 8 PM show is SOLD OUT!

Call in your reservations for our March 11, 8 PM show with The High Kings to 401-725-9272.

BOTH THE 4 PM AND 8 PM SHOWS ARE SOLD OUT as of 2/26/18! There comes a time when the dues have been paid and when the tools of the apprenticeship are neatly stowed away. The honing of the craft continues, but the dust – so to speak – has settled. Almost ten years ago, four Irish singers, performers and songwriters decided to take a calculated risk. The constituent parts of The High Kings – Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy, Martin Furey and Darren Holden – each had a wealth of history in the music business behind them, but knew that in order to maintain any level of creative interest they would have to go where no other Irish ballad group had gone before. In the late ‘90s, the heyday of ballad groups such as The Clancy Brothers and The Dubliners was a distant memory for generations of music fans. To have another bunch of Irish lads taking up the baton and continuing the tradition was great news to thousands of fans worldwide. Their 2008 self-titled debut album reached number two on Billboard Magazine’s World Music chart. But it was during their 2nd tour of the US in 2011 that everyone involved realized the fanbase was growing into something no one had predicted. More was to come in 2013 with the group’s third studio album, "Friends For Life," which featured original songs among the traditional fare. The development of original songwriting – ballad-style but with contemporary touches – from each member continues but The High Kings decided balance must be maintained so their 4th studio album, "Grace & Glory," takes them back to the essentials that kick-started their career in the first place. To say that The High Kings are charting a new course for Irish ballad music – equal parts rousing and reflective, energetic and insightful – is an understatement. They are, essentially, marking out a new and bright era for Irish folk music, and aiming to bring a broad demographic along for the journey. The High Kings have vowed to continue for another decade following the departure of Martin Furey in late 2017, the addition of new member George Murphy, and their first ‘Best Of’ collection “DECADE" was released to critical and popular acclaim in November, 2017. 

*All ticket prices include a $1.00 per ticket restoration charge

THE APRIL VERCH BAND

Call in your reservations for our March 24 show with The April Verch Band to 401-725-9272.

Bow. Feet. Vox. A trifecta of talent, keeping tradition feisty. While April Verch is perhaps best known for playing traditional fiddle styles from her native Ottawa Valley, Canada, her performances extend into old-time American and Appalachian styles and beyond, for a well-rounded tour-de-force of North Americana sounds. Verch tours with world-class musicians as a trio, featuring acoustic guitar, mandolin, bass and clawhammer banjo in addition to Verch’s vocals, fiddle and foot percussion. One might suspect a performer with as many talents as Verch would pause to take a breath, or need to compartmentalize her skills during a live performance. But on stage, Verch is almost superhuman, flawlessly intertwining and overlapping her talents. She step dances while fiddling. She sings while step dancing. Sometimes she sings, steps and fiddles all at once, with apparent ease and precision. Touring the world to share songs from her 11th album (The April Verch Anthology), April returns to Blackstone River Theatre with her band featuring bassist and clawhammer banjo player Cody Walters, and guitarist Alex Rubin. Even as she plays with the tradition she inherited in her native Ottawa Valley, Verch’s breathtaking performances speak to the heart of roots music with mature and reflective songwriting, interpreting, and storytelling.

*All ticket prices include a $1.00 per ticket restoration charge

LOW LILY / THE VOX HUNTERS

THE GOTHARD SISTERS

Call in your reservations for our April 7 show with The Gothard Sisters to 401-725-9272.

The Gothard Sisters are a dynamic group of three sisters, whose impressive array of talents have set them apart as one of the most refreshing and compelling acts in Celtic music today. The sisters' theatrical flair brings a youthful splash to the time-honored tradition of Celtic folk music, bridging the gap between modern pop and Folk-Rock with an upbeat style that has been described as "beautifully-arranged Celtic Folk-Pop.” When sisters Greta Gothard, Willow Gothard, and Solana Gothard fuse their musical talents together, the result is an irresistible mix of spritely violin and fiddle tones, pure sibling vocal harmonies, mandolin and pennywhistle accents, all supported by the exuberant rhythms of the Irish bodhran, African djembe, and acoustic guitar. They won many fans at our Summer Solstice Festival two years ago and we are thrilled to finally have them play at Blackstone River Theatre itself! After ten years of playing together and a lifetime of getting to know one another, The Gothard Sisters' eclectic style has truly evolved into a jubilant live performance, full of entertaining sibling-banter, Irish step-dancing, foot-stomping tunes, lyrical melodies, storytelling, and a genuine lightness of heart that leaves audiences feeling refreshed and inspired. 

*All ticket prices include a $1.00 per ticket restoration charge

FRIGG – Music from Finland

Call in your reservations for our April 21 show with Frigg to 401-725-9272.

Frigg has been conquering the world with a fusion of western folk music styles, leaning strongly towards Nordic folk music, for which the world music media has coined the term "nordgrass" referring to the bluegrass influences of the group. The tight interplay of four violins, string instruments and contrabass, fine-tuned to perfection and spiced with sparkling, humorous live energy has made an impact on listeners all over the world. Apart from relentless touring in Europe, Frigg has done seven North American tours, including a long list of prominent festivals. Frigg has released eight albums. "Polka V," from 2012, was chosen the folk music record of the year and was nominated for a Teosto Prize in Finland. The world music publication Songlines has singled out two of the group’s albums for its “Top of the World” chart. In 2017, the eighth album by Frigg, "Frost on Fiddles," was released. The originally Finnish-Norwegian group has now become wholly Finnish, but Nordic influences remain strong. The delicate and beautiful Scandinavian language has been dipped in BBQ sauce and it is being served fresh with pálinka, to be enjoyed in good company!

*All ticket prices include a $1.00 per ticket restoration charge

SULTANS OF STRING

Call in your reservations for our April 22 show with Sultans of String to 401-725-9272.

3-time JUNO (Canada’s Grammy) nominees Sultans of String are an energetic and exciting band thrilling audiences with their genre-hopping mix of Celtic reels, Flamenco, Gypsy-jazz, Arabic, and Cuban rhythms as fiery violin dances with kinetic guitar while funky bass lays down unstoppable grooves. Throughout, acoustic strings meet electronic wizardry to create layers and depth of sound. Celebrating 10 years together, Sultans of String have hit #1 across Canada on Top 10 national radio charts, #6 on Billboard (world), and received multiple awards and accolades, including three Canadian Folk Music Awards, plus invitations to perform/ record with such luminaries as The Chieftains, Sweet Honey In The Rock, and David Bromberg. Sultans of String is led by violinist Chris McKhool who was raised in a Lebanese-Egyptian household bursting with music and diversity. When he first heard founding guitarist Kevin Laliberté’s rumba rhythm, their musical synergy created Sultans of String’s signature sound – the intimate and playful relationship between violin and guitar. From this rich foundation, the duo grew as they added in-the-pocket bass master Drew Birston. The group has performed live on BBC TV, BBC Radio, and the internationally syndicated shows WoodSongs, World Cafe, and on SiriusXM in Washington. Don’t miss their Rhode Island debut!

*All ticket prices include a $1.00 per ticket restoration charge

MIKE BLOCK and BRUCE MOLSKY

Call in your reservations for our April 28 show with Mike Block and Bruce Molsky to 401-725-9272.

ATWATER~DONNELLY TRIO

Call in your reservations for our May 5 show with The Atwater~Donnelly Trio to 401-725-9272.

BRT favorites Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly return with Cathy Clasper-Torch on fiddle, cello and vocals to present an engaging concert of traditional American and Celtic American folk songs, a cappella pieces, hymns, poetry, dance tunes, and original works. Elwood and Aubrey blend unusual harmonies and play guitar, Appalachian mountain dulcimer, Irish tin whistle, harmonica, old-time banjo, bones, limberjacks and other musical surprises. Their performance is appealing to all ages, and with humor, audience participation and a highly-relaxed stage presence, Aubrey and Elwood also explain song origins to give more relevance to the material. Atwater-Donnelly performs widely in the Northeast and other parts of the United States and Great Britain and their recordings receive international airplay. They have performed and researched folk music extensively in New England, Ireland, England, Prince Edward Island, the Ozarks, and Appalachia. Clasper-Torch performs with The Gnomes and is also the fiddle instructor at Blackstone River Theatre.

*All ticket prices include a $1.00 per ticket restoration charge

MEDIAEVAL BAEBES

Call in your reservations for our September 15 show with The Mediaeval Baebes to 401-725-9272.

Are you a fan of the PBS hit series VICTORIA? If so, this is your chance to see and hear the Mediaeval Babes, who bring the classical piece “Alleluia” to life on one of the highest-rated dramas on PBS in 20 years! The allure is undeniable... Seven talented, attractive women breathe renewed life into the rich texts of medieval songs and poetry and their hauntingly beautiful music captures the imagination and devotion of modern audiences. The Mediaeval Babes have performed before enthusiastic audiences in the UK, Canada, Europe, Asia, and the U.S., sourcing lyrics from mediaeval and romantic texts and setting them to original scores using medieval and folk instruments. While singing in an impressive array of obscure and ancient languages, the Baebes offer musical beauty and outstanding talent. Yet their music defies any traditional classification leading people of all ages and musical tastes to become fans of the Baebes. Originally formed in 1996, the all-female Mediaeval Baebes lineup has evolved over the years and currently consists of musical director Katharine Blake, Marie Findley, Sophia Halberstam, Anna Pool, Josephine Ravenheart, Sophie Ramsay and Kathleen Ross. The Baebes sing in a variety of medieval languages including French, Spanish, English, Italian, Gaelic, and Swedish. Their original music evokes an earlier time, but is accessible to a modern audience as the medieval themes of nature, the life cycle, love and longing are as relevant in 2018 as they were in 1418. Their first album, "Salva Nos," became Virgin Classics' fastest selling debut album. Their most recent album, “Victoriana,” is a compilation of musical arrangements from their collection of poems by Victorian writers inspired by the Medieval period. The album features the Emmy-nominated theme tune from the BBC drama, ‘Victoria.’ Don't miss their first return visit in five years!

*All ticket prices include a $1.00 per ticket restoration charge

THE YVES LAMBERT TRIO

Call in your reservations for our September 16 show with The Yves Lambert Trio to 401-725-9272.

Yves Lambert is one of the most influential players in the revival of Quebecois traditional roots music. In 1976 he was one of the founding members of La Bottine Souriante and for 25 years led the band to world renown. The Yves Lambert Trio showcases the unique connection between maturity and youth by creating a new world of poetry and celebration. Yves Lambert’s charisma and talent, coupled with Tommy Gauthier and Olivier Rondeau’s virtuosity and passion, the nuances of their arrangements and their distinctive harmonies make this trio a one-of-a-kind musical experience. By reviving undiscovered songs and adding their own brand of energy, multicultural ambiance and colorful arrangements, there’s really nothing quite like the Yves Lambert Trio! 

*All ticket prices include a $1.00 per ticket restoration charge

Chris & Meredith Thompson are powerful performers with a natural warmth for the live concert stage. Best known for the unique blend of their nearly identical voices, the Thompsons weave vocals, flute, guitar and percussion together creating a sound that is genuine, beautiful, and moving. These identical twin sisters grew up down the street from Stone Soup Coffeehouse in Providence. They played their first show at Stone Soup in 1992, and have since played in venues across the U.S. and released six albums. Chris plays percussive, riff-driven guitar. Meredith plays authentic Latin rhythms on congas and adds flute to their sound. Both sisters sing in close harmony both earthy and ethereal. The Thompsons tell stories that resonate with the audience, stories that celebrate common experience. With the release of their sixth CD, “Live," Chris & Meredith Thompson showcase their vocal range on songs influenced by traditional spirituals, achieving harmonies known uniquely to siblings. This will be their Blackstone River Theatre debut!

*All ticket prices include a $1.00 per ticket restoration charge

BOHEMIAN QUARTET

Call in your reservations for our October 13 show with Bohemian Quartet to 401-725-9272.

The mission of keeping a rare musical flame alight is a noble and often challenging one, but the Bohemian Quartet is more than up to the task. In this case, the acclaimed Rhode Island-based ensemble featuring violin, viola, cello, and bass specializes in music of the "Romani" or "Gypsy" tradition, along with related Eastern European folk styles. The Bohemian Quartet was formed in 2005. Violinist Stan Renard, a composer and virtuoso player with an impressive list of credentials, assembled the group with the idea of preserving the tradition and indulging in the virtuosic playing of classic gypsy music. Renard recruited like-minded and ambitious friends: Christine Harrington on cello, Nancy Richardson on viola, and Dave Zinno on upright bass. Together, they've made a commitment to the genre, and aspired to performing it with both reverence and adventure. Indeed, like every good curator, the ensemble embraces tradition, and still wanders off in newer, unpredictable directions. The name "Bohemian Quartet" was borrowed from the original Bohemian Quartet (also known as the Czech Quartet after 1918), a string quartet of international repute that was founded in 1891 and disbanded in 1934. Both groups share a passion for the deep-rooted authenticity of the Romani tradition, as well as the ability to play that historic repertoire with extraordinary joie de vivre. Their third CD project "For You" was released at Blackstone River Theatre last year. 

*All ticket prices include a $1.00 per ticket restoration charge

TONY McMANUS & JULIA TOASPERN

Call in your reservations for our October 20 show with Tony McManus & Julia Toaspern to 401-725-9272.

Tony McManus has come to be recognized throughout the world as the leading guitarist in Celtic music and has been named among Guitar Player Magazine’s 50 Best Acoustic Guitarists ​​of all time. From early childhood his twin obsessions of traditional music and acoustic guitar have worked together to produce a startlingly original approach to this ancient art. In Tony’s hands the complex ornamentation normally associated with fiddles and pipes are accurately transferred to guitar in a way that preserves the integrity and emotional impact of the music. Joining him is Julia Toaspern, a multi-talented musician from Berlin who combines classical training on violin and voice with a wide interest in genres such as jazz, baroque and traditional music. Their twin guitar treatment of traditional music is unique and each supports the other in exploring the harmonic possibilities of these old, and not so old, tunes. Each of the pair both flatpicks and fingerpicks at the highest level but always at the service of the tune rather than a display of technique. Her violin can effortlessly morph into a fiddle as she weaves from Italian madrigal to Scottish reel. As a singer, Julia’s songs go to the heart of love and loss, hope and survival and are inflected with musical influences from an eclectic experience of musical life.

*All ticket prices include a $1.00 per ticket restoration charge

BRENDA BENNETT - CD release!

Call in your reservations for our October 27 show with Brenda Bennett to 401-725-9272.

Life's mysteries and highways are not always explained to us. We are met with certain destinies – some of which are fulfilled and some which remain open-ended, never to be chased. Some doors in life we are lucky to enter and close behind us while others stay slightly ajar, swinging and teasing with a taunting nag. In the mid 80s, it was the destiny of musician Brenda Bennett, who had recorded and sung the world over as a member of Vanity 6 and Apollonia 6, to record a solo album under the guise of her mentor Prince. It never came to be. After a farewell concert in 2016 Brenda told journalists she planned to take it easy. The possibility of a 2nd CD after her solo CD "A Capella" was not out of the cards but also not a priority. It was here when fate intervened. When Prince died in April that same year not only were his fans left shocked, but his former associates and collaborators were blindsided. While Prince was laid down to eternal rest a flame ignited inside Brenda Bennett and thoughts returned to that unrecorded solo album from the 1980s. What was once a destiny had became an afterthought and a missed opportunity. But was it? Inspired by her grief and the legacy of her mentor, Brenda dove headfirst into her second solo album, titled “Once Again.” The album that was never made in the 1980s was now going to be made. Encouraged by her fans' response, Bennett embarked on a creative journey that would put certain ghosts to rest, ignite new fires, close some of the doors to the past, and open new ones for the future. On “Once Again” Brenda Bennett reaches her full potential as an artist, singer, and musical force. The ten tracks unfold like a journey through time touching on loss, gain, power, love, life, and death. This album is a career best and a personal triumph. Prince would be very proud. R.I. Music Hall of Fame inductee Brenda Bennett will perform "Once Again" in its entirety tonight along with the co-producer and engineer of "Once Again," George Dussault on guitar and vocals, Betsy Listenfelt on acoustic guitar and vocals, Sharlene Denardo on bass, Matt Demick on drums, and Theresa Ronan on keys. There will be a 30-minute opening set by How's About Charlie, an acoustic vocal trio from Providence featuring Amanda Centrella, Nicole Gauthier, and Beth Killian. 

Cumberland High School Tri-M Coffeehouse Performance

This will be BRT’s 3rd collaboration with Janita Ducharme, Director of Choirs at Cumberland High School as Blackstone River Theatre hosts a quarterly Coffeehouse Showcase of CHS students as we outreach into our local community. Tri-M is a national music honor society through the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME). Performers are members of the CHS chapter, grades 9-12. All the performances will be music that is learned outside of the school day. Tri-M offers two scholarships per year that are awarded to graduating members of Tri-M. Free event – but donations will be gladly accepted to help raise funds for the Tri-M scholarship!

HANNEKE CASSEL, MIKE BLOCK, and KEITH MURPHY

Call in your reservations for our November 3 show with Hanneke Cassel, Mike Block, and Keith Murphy to 401-725-9272.

Effervescent and engaging, Boston-based fiddler Hanneke Cassel is a performer, teacher and composer whose career spans over two decades. Her style fuses influences from Scotland and Cape Breton Island with Americana grooves and musical innovations, creating a cutting-edge acoustic sound that retains the integrity and spirit of the Scottish tradition. Cassel's music is a blend of the contemporary and traditional, described by the Boston Globe as "exuberant and rhythmic, somehow wild and innocent, delivered with captivating melodic clarity and an irresistible playfulness." Cassel's latest release, "Trip to Walden Pond," features traditional Scottish and Cape Breton tunes and seventeen new pieces composed in the Scottish idiom. While her lively style is very much evident, this new album carries a deep, soulful sound with songs of celebration and farewell. "Trip to Walden Pond," similar to Cassel's five previous albums, offers arrangements of traditional fiddle music and original tunes that evoke humor and heart. This latest album also includes several compositions penned by Hanneke as commissions to benefit Many Hopes, a children's education nonprofit based in Kenya that she avidly supports. A native of Oregon, Hanneke started out as a Texas-style fiddler and went on to win the 1997 U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Championship, which awarded her the opportunity to study with Alasdair Fraser and introduced her to fiddle camps and the folk community, both of which continue to play an integral role in her life. The Hanneke Cassel Band features Mike Block on cello and guitarist/vocalist Keith Murphy. In addition to performing with her own band, Cassel has been featured on PBS with Boston-based fiddle band Childsplay and has performed with Baroque/Celtic group Ensemble Galilei at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the National Geographic in Washington, D.C. Hanneke and her husband Mike live in Boston and are active within many circles of musicians. Besides their involvement in the Scottish fiddle scene and at Berklee College of Music, they are frequent performers at Club Passim and are rooted in the thriving local music community.

*All ticket prices include a $1.00 per ticket restoration charge

Sandeep Das and The Hum Ensemble: DELHI TO DAMASCUS

Call in your reservations for our November 10 show "The Delhi to Damascus Project" to 401-725-9272.

"Delhi to Damascus" is a celebration of the historical and cultural ties between India and Syria. The two countries have a deep connection that dates back to when they were integral to the legendary Silk Road. This connection facilitated a vibrant cultural, linguistic and musical exchange as witnessed in their common Sufi music tradition and the ancient Indo-Iranian and Indo-European Sanskrit language that originated from Syria and traveled to India. This shared heritage inspired Tabla maestro Sandeep Das to create "The Delhi to Damascus" project. For this concert he will bring in Syrian oud master Issam Rafea joined by Indian vocalist and sarangi player, Suhail Yusuf Khan, and sitarist Rajib Karmakar. All of these musicians are master performers and audiences will hear Indian and Syrian music, many for the first time. Equally important is the concept behind the HUM project – Harmony and Universality through Music. In Sandeep’s own words: “Having performed and composed for Yo Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble and having had the added experience of performing for 20 years with the best artists that India has produced, I felt it was time I did something to carry forward Yo Yo Ma’s idea of connecting the world’s neighborhoods again – through music and other art forms. I strongly believe that in current times one cannot live insulated lives anymore and the more we care about and share one another’s treasures, the better it is." 

Funding provided in part by a grant from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, through an appropriation by the Rhode Island General Assembly, a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and private funders.

*All ticket prices include a $1.00 per ticket restoration charge

NEWPOLI - CD release!

Call in your reservations for our November 17 show with Newpoli to 401-725-9272.

Newpoli is a group of skilled musicians who specialize in southern Italian folk music, primarily from the regions of Campania and Puglia. Their music crosses through time culture and musical styles. The South of Italy has a multicolored past with influences from northern Africa, the Middle East and ancient Greece. These influences can still be heard in the traditional melodies and rhythms of the pizzica, tarantella and other musical genres of the South. Called “…a brilliant outfit…who grab southern Italian traditional music by the neck and recast it in a dramatic style” by Songlines (UK), Newpoli is a unique group with a powerful sound and a 21st century take on tradition. With exciting interpretations of traditional music plus originals that draw deeply from one of the world’s lesser known music traditions, Newpoli is Italy’s next inspiring interpreter of southern Italy’s taranta tradition. The group produces a mesmerizing sound that melds traditional Italian folk music, Greek and Turkish grooves, and Mediterranean and Spanish accents, while adding a contemporary sensibility they call “Mediterranean Pulse - Ritmi della Terra.” The eight-piece ensemble is fronted by singers Carmen Marsico and Angela Rossi and concert audiences hear the tamburello, played by virtuoso Fabio Pirozzolo, pounding out the heartbeat of Newpoli’s music. When the two female singers start up a wild, frenetic dance audiences have a very hard time sitting still as the drama and passion can be heard in every note. Newpoli was named the 2016 Winner - Independent Music Awards for "Best World Traditional Album."

*All ticket prices include a $1.00 per ticket restoration charge

CHERISH THE LADIES - A CELTIC CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION – SOLD OUT!

Our December 6 Christmas Celebration with Cherish the Ladies is SOLD OUT as of Nov. 30. Thank you!

Celebrating 32 years of music making, Cherish the Ladies continues to delight audiences with its beautiful vocals, captivating arrangements and stunning step dancing. You’ll delight in the special Christmas music that embodies the beauty of the season – Celtic style! “It is simply impossible to imagine an audience that wouldn’t enjoy what they do,” says the Boston Globe speaking of Cherish the Ladies, the long-running, Grammy Award-nominated, Irish-American super group formed in New York City in 1985 to celebrate the rise of extraordinary women in a male-dominated Irish music scene. The past three decades have included world tours, concerts at the White House and the Olympics and 17 critically-acclaimed albums including their Emmy Award-winning special, “An Irish Homecoming,” which was broadcast on PBS. Under the leadership of All-Ireland Flute and Whistle Champion Joanie Madden, named by The Irish Voice Newspaper as one of the Top 25 most influential Irish Americans of the past quarter century, Cherish the Ladies create an evening that includes a spectacular blend of virtuoso instrumental talents, beautiful vocals, captivating arrangements, and stunning step dancing. Join Joanie and Mary Coogan (Guitar, Mandolin), Mirella Murray (Accordion), Kathleen Boyle (Piano, Harmony Vocals), Nollaig Casey (Fiddle), Don Stiffe (Lead Vocals), and 5-time World Champion step dancer David Geaney.

*All ticket prices include a $1.00 per ticket restoration charge

LUNASA – Christmas from Ireland with ASHLEY DAVIS – SOLD OUT!

Our December 7 "Christmas from Ireland" show with Lúnasa and special guest Ashley Davis is SOLD OUT! Thank You!

We are thrilled to bring back our friends Lúnasa with their "Christmas from Ireland" concert with special guest, Ashley Davis. Lúnasa is widely acknowledged as being the finest traditional Irish instrumental band of recent times, renowned for stunning shows featuring superb musicianship. Lúnasa’s inventive arrangements and bass driven grooves have steered Irish acoustic music into surprising new territory. Their recordings have sold over a quarter of a million copies while being hailed as some of the best and most important world music albums anywhere, while their blend of intelligence, innovation, virtuosity, and passion has brought them to the forefront of Celtic music. Lúnasa — featuring Kevin Crawford on flute, low whistle, and tin whistle; Trevor Hutchinson on double bass; Ed Boyd on guitar; Collin Farrell on fiddle and low whistle; and Cillian Vallely on uilleann pipes and low whistle will be joined by Ashley Davis, a native of Kansas. Ashley has emerged as a leading singer/songwriter in the Irish tradition, performing as soloist for “Lord of the Dance” and named as one of the most influential Irish Americans under 40.

*All ticket prices include a $1.00 per ticket restoration charge