MIKE BLOCK, JOE K. WALSH, and ZACHARIAH HICKMAN

WINDBORNE

Windborne’s captivating show draws on the singers’ deep roots in traditions of vocal harmony, while the absolute uniqueness of their artistic approach brings old songs into the present. Known for the innovation of their arrangements, their harmonies are bold and anything but predictable. With a 20-year background studying polyphonic music around the world, Lauren Breunig, Jeremy Carter-Gordon, Lynn Rowan, and Will Rowan share a vibrant energy onstage with a blending of voices that can only come from decades of friendship alongside dedicated practice. The ensemble shifts effortlessly between drastically different styles of music, drawing their audience along on a journey that spans continents and centuries, illuminating and expanding on the profound power and variation of the human voice. The singers educate as they entertain, sharing stories about their songs and explaining the context and characteristics of the styles in which they sing. But there’s another crucial dimension to Windborne that guides and roots their artistry. They are adherents to folk music’s longtime alliance with social activism, labor and civil rights, and other movements that champion the oppressed, the poor, and the disenfranchised. Their 2017 project, "Song on the Times," is a collection of songs of social struggle from the past 400 years, sung for the struggles of today. Bursting with lyrics that, while penned decades or centuries ago, still ring true in modern times, Windborne’s dynamic harmonies breathe new life into these songs. 

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

CHERISH THE LADIES – SOLD OUT!

Masks are required for all patrons and staff until further notice. Patrons will also be asked to show their vaccination card or a photo of their vaccination card when they enter the club. Patrons will be asked to show proof each time they attend BRT. If a patron is not able to show proof of vaccination they will not be allowed to attend the performance. Our March 5, 7 p.m. show with Cherish the Ladies is SOLD OUT as of Thursday afternoon!

Celebrating 35 years of music making, Cherish the Ladies continues to delight audiences with its beautiful vocals, captivating arrangements and stunning step dancing. “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-plus 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. Joining Joanie will be Mary Coogan (guitar, mandolin), Mirella Murray (accordion), Gabriel Donohue (piano, filling in for KT Boyle who just had a beautiful baby!), Nollaig Casey (fiddle), County Clare songstress Kate Purcell (lead vocals), and Canadian step dancing champion Nathan Pilatzke from the Chieftains!

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

TALISK

Masks are required for all patrons and staff until further notice. Patrons will also be asked to show their vaccination card or a photo of their vaccination card when they enter the club. Patrons will be asked to show proof each time they attend BRT. If a patron is not able to show proof of vaccination they will not be allowed to attend the performance. Call in your reservations for our March 6, 7 p.m. show with Talisk to 401-725-9272.

Ground-breaking, chart-topping, genre-bending and instantly enthralling— these are just a few descriptions of Talisk and their signature sound. After racing to get a last flight out of Nashville when their tour was cut short in 2020, Glasgow-based trio Talisk are back in the U.S. for The Dawn Tour boasting music from their critically-acclaimed albums “Abyss" and “Beyond" in addition to newer songs such as their latest single “Aura” off their much anticipated third album. As one of the most in-demand folk-based groups to emerge from Scotland in the last decade Talisk features Mohsen Amini (BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards’ Musician of the Year), Graeme Armstrong, and Benedict Morris (BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year) fusing concertina, guitar, and fiddle to produce a multi-layered signature sound that has captivated audiences worldwide. At its core, three seemingly acoustic instruments— but in the hands of three master craftsmen; one unmistakable, bold sound and an unforgettable live show. "With a new show, new album, new member and two years of planning, Talisk are ready to give America all we've got and a tour you won't forget!” says Mohsen Amini, the trio’s concertinist. Listen to Moshen … don’t miss this!

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

ROCK HEARTS

Masks are required for all patrons and staff until further notice. Patrons will also be asked to show their vaccination card or a photo of their vaccination card when they enter the club. Patrons will be asked to show proof each time they attend BRT. If a patron is not able to show proof of vaccination they will not be allowed to attend the performance. Call in your reservations for our March 12 show with Rock Hearts to 401-725-9272.

Formed in 2013, Rock Hearts brings together five veteran musicians from Southern New England who love to sing and pick bluegrass, old country tunes, and seek out newer tunes from other genres to “bluegrass-ify.” Since the release of their well-received debut in 2020, "Starry Southern Nights," they have experienced tremendous success on the national bluegrass charts and were selected as one of 20 Official Showcase Bands at the 2021 IBMA World of Bluegrass in Raleigh, NC. Their videos have amassed 250k views and the band has been featured in magazines including Bluegrass Unlimited, Bluegrass Today and the Bluegrass Situation. Joe Deetz’s career on banjo spans over 40 years. A New England Bluegrass Boy with Joe Val, Joe has also worked with Back Eddy and many others. Alex MacLeod grew up in bluegrass. With a classic leading voice and rock-solid rhythm guitar, Alex has served as front man for several bands in the region including Northern Lights, Southern Rhode, Back Eddy, and the Iron Skillet Band. Billy “BT” Thibodeau boasts an undeniable bluegrass pedigree and he brings his high tenor and lead vocals, along with his rock solid mandolin and guitar playing to Rock Hearts. Cutting his teeth with his Dad, Sam Tidwell and Uncle Bob in the Kennebec Valley Boys, he would later lead his own band, The Bill Thibodeau Band. Billy currently teaches at Rick’s Music in Cumberland, RI. Rick Brodsky is a multi-instrumentalist who has played within numerous musical genres over 35 years. Rick is a regular on the Connecticut/New York bluegrass scene and has played bass for numerous regional and national artists. Austin Scelzo was introduced to various fiddle traditions at Mark O’Connor’s early Berklee String Camps. He teaches Wernick Method Jam classes, created and maintains the performance venue, the Bluegrass Coffeehouse, and launched the Connecticut Bluegrass Music Association.

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

TEADA

Masks are required for all patrons and staff until further notice. Patrons will also be asked to show their vaccination card or a photo of their vaccination card when they enter the club. Patrons will be asked to show proof each time they attend BRT. If a patron is not able to show proof of vaccination they will not be allowed to attend the performance. Call in your reservations for our March 19, 8 p.m. show with Teada to 401-725-9272.

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. Founded by Sligo fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada, Téada first came together in 2001 driven by a fascination for the timeless, expressive force of music inherited from previous generations of musicians. Irish Music Magazine describes the band as “at the cutting edge of the next generation of Irish musicians…with a fierce familiarity with the old ways.” Oisin will be joined by three top Irish musicians on this U.S. tour: Paul Finn – accordion, Damien Stenson – flute, and Seán Mc Elwain – guitar.

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

MILE TWELVE – Postponed to Nov. 12

Due to a positive Covid case within the band, we need to reschedule our Mile Twelve concert to Nov. 12. Call in your reservations for our November 12, 8 p.m. show with Mile Twelve to 401-725-9272.

Mile Twelve is a progressive string band from Boston, Massachusetts. Winners of the 2020 IBMA New Artist of the Year award, they have been making waves in the acoustic music community with their seamless blend of expertly-crafted songs, creative arrangements, and virtuosic execution. The band takes their name from the mile marker that sits at Boston’s southern border on Route 93, a road sign they’ve passed countless times while heading out on tour. They've found receptive audiences across the globe, touring throughout North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. The Mile Twelve lineup offers five of the most promising young musicians in bluegrass: Catherine “BB” Bowness (banjo), Evan Murphy (guitar, lead vocals), Nate Sabat (bass, lead vocals) and new members Ella Jordan (fiddle, vocals), and Korey Brodsky (mandolin). Join us for a great night of bluegrass!

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

EILEEN IVERS

Masks are required for all patrons and staff until further notice. Patrons will also be asked to show their vaccination card or a photo of their vaccination card when they enter the club. Patrons will be asked to show proof each time they attend BRT. If a patron is not able to show proof of vaccination they will not be allowed to attend the performance. Call in your reservations for our April 3 show with Eileen Ivers to 401-725-9272.

Grammy®-Awarded and Emmy-nominated, Eileen Ivers continues to push the fiddling tradition boundaries from a folk music staple to a powerfully beautiful and intensely driving world stage experience. Ivers was the groundbreaking musical star of Riverdance, a founding member of Cherish the Ladies, and she is one of the most awarded All-Ireland Fiddle and Banjo champions ever. Ivers' most recent CD, “Beyond the Bog Road,” focuses on the influences of the Celtic tradition on Roots music – bluegrass, French-Canadian, Cajun, Appalachian, Americana – and how the music journeyed on to become a fundamental ingredient of the American Country music tradition. Ivers has been called "the Jimi Hendrix of the violin," by The New York Times. Her recording credits include over 80 contemporary and traditional albums and numerous movie scores. A 9-time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion, Eileen is hailed as one of the great innovators and pioneers in the Celtic and World music genres. Eileen’s band, Universal Roots, connects music, cultures, stories and emotions that tie us together …celebrating the fact that we are more alike than dissimilar. The ensemble features Matt Mancuso (lead vocals, guitar, trumpet, fiddle), Buddy Connolly (button accordion, whistles, piano, vocals), Lindsey Horner (upright and electric bass, baritone sax, vocals), Dave Barckow (lead vocals, percussion, guitar), joining together with Ivers on fiddle, mandolin, banjo, bodhran, and live looping.

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

THE KIM TRUSTY BAND - POSTPONED!

SHOW POSTPONED!

This show is postponed as of 4-15-22. A rescheduled event will be announced at a later date.

Please join us as we present BRT favorite Kim Trusty in a full band setting as she sings songs from her new CD and revisits some past favorites. After studying songwriting at the Berklee College of Music in Boston where she was referred to as “the girl with the golden voice,” Kim has spent the last three decades residing in Providence, crafting and branding her own style of Jazz, R&B, Blues and original music. Joining Kim tonight will be Musical Director George Dussault on guitar, John Cote on drums, Mibbit Threats on bass, Cathy Clasper-Torch on fiddle, Earl Bright on organ/strings, and special guest, Spoken Word Artist Marlon Carey. In Kim's own words, "My COVID relief was writing songs. I began writing in the summer of 2020 and started recording in December of the same year. COVID forced me to slow down and focus and think about what was really important to me – God, Faith, Spirituality, Courage and Strength, Family, Friends, Humanity, and Love one for another. I began to write about all I was experiencing and all that surrounded me. I bring to you tonight what I wrote and experienced through my words and music. Sit back and enjoy these songs of encouragement and hope in these still uncertain times."

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

FELLSWATER

Or call in your reservations for our April 23 show with Fellswater to 401-725-9272. 

Fellswater is a dynamic 8-piece Celtic music ensemble based out of Boston playing a wide range of music from traditional to modern compositions, drawing from the music of Scotland, Ireland, Brittany, Canada and beyond. Fellswater has delighted audiences at the New Hampshire Highland Games, Blackstone River Theatre, Boston Celtic Music Fest, The Burren Backroom Series, Club Passim and Colonial Williamsburg. Overseas events have included performing at Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo. The 8-piece band features Kyle Forsthoff on bodhran and percussion, Elizabeth Ketudat on fiddle, Jim MacConduibh on acoustic bass guitar, Sarah MacConduibh on Irish flute, whistles and fife, Andrew McIntosh on Scottish smallpipes and border pipes, Chris Myers on vocals, guitar, and octave mandolin, Diane Myers on vocals, and David Cabral on cello. 

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

HOUSE OF HAMILL

Or call in your reservations for our April 30 show with House of Hamill to 401-725-9272.

House of Hamill owes its existence – almost entirely – to a series of cancelled flights. Rose Baldino’s band Burning Bridget Cleary was scheduled to perform, but inclement weather prevented two bandmates from flying. Desperate to salvage the showcase, Rose approached Brian Buchanan, who she knew fronted Canadian Celtic rock band Enter the Haggis. She thrust a guitar into Brian’s hands, pulled him onstage, and the two just clicked. Four years and hundreds of shows later, the duo was booked to play a closing slot at a Colorado festival, so they hired a bass player and drummer to fill out their sound. By the oddest of coincidences, their hired bandmates’ flights were canceled the day of the show. A frantic Facebook post introduced Brian and Rose to local musician Caroline Browning, who joined them on bass for the weekend. Once again, the chemistry was undeniable, and House of Hamill became a trio. They are now a fixture on festival stages across the U.S. and their version of “Pound a Week Rise” rose to #1 on the US Folk DJ charts. Their latest release, “Folk Hero,” captures perfectly the frenetic energy of an always engaging live show featuring a dynamic collection of original instrumentals, reimagined folk ballads, and new songs that showcase the trio’s versatility, Whether they’re ripping through a set of original jigs and reels, adding lush three-part harmonies into traditional folk ballads, or cracking up an audience with stories from the road, House of Hamill puts on a show that captivates audiences from the very first note. Don’t miss their Blackstone River Theatre debut!

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

MATT & SHANNON HEATON – A Take It Outside Concert!

Or call in your reservations for our May 15, 4:00-5:00 p.m. concert with Matt & Shannon Heaton to 401-725-9272. This will be the first of five OUTDOOR CONCERTS held on Sundays behind the theatre building!

With engaging stage presence and masterfully-crafted music, Boston-based Matt and Shannon Heaton offer well-travelled Irish music from the heart. Steeped in sessions in County Clare and brewed in the acoustic music scenes of Chicago and Boston, their flute/guitar/bouzouki instrumentals and sweet husband-and-wife harmony singing draw deeply from the Irish tradition. The Heatons are an integral part of Boston’s vibrant trad music scene. Shannon co-founded Boston’s Celtic music fest and was named Massachusetts Traditional Artist Fellow in 2016. Matt has performed with countless traditional music bands and has received multiple MCC grants and awards for his music for kids. Matt and Shannon are comfortable onstage and have a warm connection with their audiences. They are world class American performers with Irish roots and universal appeal. “Their playing is masterful and inventive, their arrangements city-smart and spacious. Still, they never forget that Irish music is, at its heart, a neighborly form, meant for sharing, not showing off." —The Boston Globe

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

CANTRIP

Or call in your reservations for our May 22, 7:00 p.m. show with Cantrip to 401-725-9272.

The name Cantrip is an Old Scots word meaning a charm, a magic spell, or a piece of mischief and it aptly describes the unexpected twists and turns in the trio's musical arrangements. Swirling border pipes, dynamic fiddle, driving guitar and three rich voices blend to create a sound that gets the audience on their feet. After 20 years of touring, Cantrip has found a reputation like few others. Echoes can be heard of traditional music from the 1960s and 70s, but the passing years have slowly infested their Scottish music with the sounds of bluegrass, swing, and even klezmer. Scotland’s Dan Houghton and Jon Bews and singer/guitarist Eric McDonald stir the varied elements into a sound uniquely their own!

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

SUMMER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL

Online sales closed as of Thursday, midnight. Purchase tickets at festival gate via cash, check or credit card!

@ Diamond Hill Park, Rte. 114, Cumberland, R.I. Rain date: June 19

Four stages of Celtic and world music plus Irish step dance, children's activities and 40+ craft & food vendors!

Atwater~Donnelly Trio • The Mari Black Band • John Doyle & Mick McAuley • NEA fellow Kevin Doyle • Eastern Medicine Singers • Genticorum • The Winifred Horan Band • RUNA • Torrin Ryan • The Vox Hunters • Windborne • The Music of Jimmy Devine • Irish session with Bob Drouin • Tir Na Nog Irish Dance • Mary King • Ed Sweeney • The Broad Street Fiddlers

Sponsored by: Town of Cumberland • Navigant Credit Union • The Valley Breeze • Sound Advice LLC • Open MRI of New England • Quebec Government Office in Boston

AFTER-FESTIVAL MUSIC SESSION

Online sales closed as of Thursday, midnight.
Purchase tickets at festival gate via cash, check or credit card!

Gather for BRT's after-festival music session Saturday evening, 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. at Blackstone River Theatre itself, featuring almost all of the performers from the 2022 Blackstone River Theatre Summer Solstice Festival! The intimate setting let's you relax with food and your favorite beverage while Festival performers un-wind and begin an evening of music and conversation that will make your Festival experience all the more memorable. The atmosphere is designed to create a casual environment of friendly banter just like that found in a local pub. We will only sell 90 tickets for this special event so be sure to order yours right away as it has sold out the past 5 times! Complimentary food will be available as part of the ticket price. A cash bar will also be available.

Advance ticket purchase highly recommended!
Doors will not open for the session until 8:15 P.M.
NOTE: This is a CLOSED session featuring only performers from the 2022 Solstice Festival.

A limited number of after-festival session tickets will be sold on site, day of festival. IF they are still available, you can purchase your tickets at the INFORMATION TENT which will be located just after you enter the main gates on your left. 

Blackstone River Theatre is located at 549 Broad Street, Cumberland, R.I. • (401) 725-9272

TURAS – A Take It Outside Concert!

Or call in your reservations for our June 26, 4:00-5:00 p.m. concert with TURAS to 401-725-9272. This will be the 2nd of a series of OUTDOOR CONCERTS held on Sundays behind the theatre building!

The group Turas will perform as part of the Take It Outside Concert Series THIS Sunday, from 4-5 p.m., at the new outside concert space located behind Blackstone River Theatre. Admission is $15.00 for the 60-minute concert. Turas features Bob Drouin, co-founder of the Celtic band Pendragon and Blackstone River Theatre who has also anchored the Irish Music Session at Patrick’s Pub in Providence for over 2 decades. Bob plays guitar, bouzouki, fiddle, flute and sings. Amazing flute and whistle player Josh Kane, a member of Pendragon for 15+ years, has competed in several All-Ireland competitions, placing 2nd in 2007. Pianist Rob McConeghy loves playing the piano, be it Irish folk tunes, Old Timey, Chopin, or Debussy. Dean Robinson plays bodhran, percussion, bones and sings with Turas. Folding chairs will be provided but audiences can bring a chair or blanket if preferred. No outside food or drink is allowed. Enter the venue via the gate at the back of BRT's parking lot.

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

Peter Janson – A Take It Outside Concert!

Or call in your reservations for our July 17, 4:00-5:00 p.m. concert with guitarist Peter Janson to 401-725-9272. This will be the 3rd of a series of OUTDOOR CONCERTS held on Sundays behind the theatre building!

Drawing from roots in jazz, classical, and acoustic instrumental styles, Peter Janson's sound incorporates soft interesting grooves and improvisation. Based in Boston, Peter's music has earned him national acclaim: “the substance of great jazz presented in an original and accessible style." He has performed extensively throughout North America; notably at Carnegie Hall Weill Recital Hall, Montreal Jazz Festival, Healdsburg Guitar Festival, Argenta Acoustic Music Series, WUMB Music Festival and more. His session guitar work on “Old Black Roller” by Grant Maloy Smith spent 17 weeks on the Billboard charts, including eleven weeks in the Top 10. Peter’s “Beautiful Day” record (jazz/new age) won Best Contemporary Instrumental Album (NAR Music Awards), and he’s had three solo guitar albums in the Top Five of the NAR radio charts. Peter has over 3.3-million verified broadcasts across all media spanning 116 countries. 

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

Frigg – Hot fiddles from cool Scandinavia

Or call in your reservations for our August 18, 8:00 p.m. concert with Frigg to 401-725-9272.

One of Finland’s hottest musical exports, the sizzling Nordic septet Frigg have carved themselves a top spot in folk music with their dynamic, life-affirming, feel-good tunes and precision musicianship. Named after the Norse goddess of love and fertility, 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, all fine-tuned to perfection and spiced with sparkling, humorous live energy has made an impact on listeners all over the world. “FRIXX” released in 2020 was their first album since 2017’s "Frost on Fiddles," Songlines ‘Top of the World’ album. Their highly acclaimed "Polka V" — was named Finnish Folk Album of the Year and a nominee for the Teosto Prize. This prestigious award is handed out annually by Finnish composers — recognizing the fact that Frigg almost exclusively perform their own infectious original tunes. This will be Frigg’s third appearance at Blackstone River Theatre and you know they are great when Russell books them on a Thursday ... in August! Don’t miss out!

* Ticket price includes a $1.00 per ticket restoration charge.

The Johnson Girls – A Take It Outside Concert!

Or call in your reservations for our August 21, 4:00-5:00 p.m. concert with The Johnson Girls to 401-725-9272. This will be the 4th of a series of OUTDOOR CONCERTS held on Sundays behind the theatre building!

Internationally acclaimed, The Johnson Girls have been a force on the folk and maritime music scene for 25 years as the leading all-woman, a cappella maritime group in the world. Believing that sea chanteys and sea songs were the first real “World Music”, Joy Bennett, Alison Kelley, Bonnie Milner, and Deirdre Murtha each bring a special influence to their music. Whether performing chanteys with hair-raising harmonies or sharing tender ballads at intimate venues, folk clubs or packed international folk festivals in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, and Europe, The Johnson Girls remain true to their mission of keeping chantey singing alive, bringing women’s voices to the fore, and sweeping their audiences along in a tidal fervor. Join us for this special concert!

* Ticket price includes a $1.00 per ticket restoration charge.

Karan Casey with Niamh Dunne and Sean Óg Graham

Or call in your reservations for our September 3, 8:00 p.m. concert with The Karan Casey Trio to 401-725-9272.

Legendary Irish folk singer Karan Casey has released 11 albums to date and has toured extensively throughout North America, Europe and Japan singing songs charged with a sense of social responsibility in a career spanning more than 25 years. We are thrilled to have her back at Blackstone River Theatre for the first time in 5 years as Karan will be joined by Niamh Dunne on fiddle and vocals, and guitarist and accordionist Sean Óg Graham (both of the Irish folk band Beoga). This evocative trio has toured together for several years and tonight's show premieres new material developed and recorded since the start of the pandemic as well as favorites from Karan’s back repertoire. The songs draw inspiration from a wide range of sources from the personal to the historical and political, touching on themes of family, loss, love, the empowerment of women and Irish revolutionary struggle. Casey has long been recognized as one of the most innovative, provocative and imitated voices in Irish traditional and folk music. In 2017, Karan was Traditional Artist in Residence at University College Cork, toured the UK with the Transatlantic Sessions, performed at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections, and toured in the U.S. both with her own band and with Lúnasa. In 2018 Karan helped found FairPlé, an organization aimed at achieving fairness and gender balance for female performers in Irish traditional and folk music. Join us as we kick off our fall season with one of Irish music’s most distinctive voices!

Scottish fiddle champion Jamie Laval with vocalist Amber Rose and Celtic harpist Liv Castor

Or call in your reservations for our September 10, 8:00 p.m. concert with Jamie Laval to 401-725-9272.

U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion Jamie Laval returns for an exciting musical journey through Scotland, Ireland, and Brittany, reimagining Gaelic love songs, rustic peasant dances, and recounting mythic tales from the ancient Celtic world. Joining Laval is vocalist Amber Rose, whose beautiful voice evokes a fairytale-like quality in ancient ballads. Celtic harpist Liv Castor rounds out the trio, complementing the ensemble with exciting rhythms and subtle harmonies.

Kerri Powers / Lauren King - CANCELED!

As of 9/12, this concert has been cancelled as Kerri has tested Covid positive just this afternoon. Both Kerri and Lauren will be re-booked in 2023 as their schedules allow. Lauren will be moving to Colorado in November so we will work to schedule a homecoming concert with her when a date for a visit is certain. Kerri will be releasing a new CD next year so we will make her concert a release party.

Drenched in the emotions of blues, folk and country music, roots singer/songwriter Kerri Powers uses her dramatically dark and beautiful voice to mine the depths of romantic heartbreak and broken dreams in the edgy narratives of her songs. A native of rural Massachusetts, Powers sings the blues with such authentic, down-home grit that you might well think she's from Mississippi. Besides being a consummate chronicler of disappointment and despair, she can also morph into an impishly naughty rebel with a cause, a Mark Twain-like trickster whose wry words and phrasing can also celebrate joy and hope. Says John Apice, of No Depression, “I don’t know where this young lady came from but it’s got to be a secret place. This is not the kind of singing and performing that can be easily taught. It has to be in your spirit, in your blood and the fact that she is from the Northeast is going to confound the artists down South, in the Delta, in Memphis, Clarksdale, Austin, and Nashville.” Raised in Smithfield, Rhode Island, Lauren King is a 25-year-old singer-songwriter with a penchant for pairing poetic lyrics with memorable melodies. Lauren recently won two 2022 RI Motif Music Awards for Best Singer-Songwriter and Best Country Act. King's album "The Wolf is Back" won a 2021 RI Motif Music Award for Americana Album of the Year.

NORTH SEA GAS – Music from Scotland

Or call in your reservations for our September 24, 8:00 p.m. show with North Sea Gas to 401-725-9272.

North Sea Gas is a folk band from Scotland who have now been performing their blend of poignant and rousing songs and high-energy instrumentals for 40 years. With a combination of fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bodhran and bouzouki, complementing strong three-part vocal harmonies and a keen sense of humor, an entertaining evening is always guaranteed! North Sea Gas have released 23 albums and they are constantly adding new material to their shows. This tour sees the U.S. CD release of “A Long Road: Celebrating Over 40 Years” showcasing four decades of a band's life, its music, its memories, and its members. One of their previous albums, “The Fire and the Passion of Scotland," was “Album of the Year” at Celtic Radio in the U.S., winning first place in the “Jigs and Reels” category as well for the set of tunes on the album. The band is led by founder Dave Gilfillan on lead vocals, guitar and banjo, well-known for his tongue-in-cheek humor. Ronnie "Mac" MacDonald on lead and harmony vocals, guitar and bouzouki is joined by Grant Simpson on high-energy fiddle and vocals. 

Symbio

Or call in your reservations for our October 7, 8:00 p.m. concert with Symbio to 401-725-9272.

The music of Symbio has been described as musical storytelling where folk, minimalistic art music and electronic dance music meets and becomes a cinematic experience for the listener. Symbio is regarded as one of the most prominent new bands from the Swedish Folk & World music scene. With their strong stage presence, original compositions, and a magical interplay of hurdy-gurdy and accordion – the duo constantly surprises their audience and takes them on a moving and dreamy musical journey.  During concerts the duo perform with both seriousness and joy, telling personal and vivid stories about the music. Through a playful, energetic and close interaction Symbio creates new music where two becomes more. The duo was awarded as ”Best Newcomer of the Year” at the Swedish Folk & World Music awards in 2016, and received the”Scholarship for young music ensembles” from the Royal Swedish Academy of Music in the same year. Since the release of their debut album in 2016 they have been touring extensively in Sweden and 20 different European countries. This will be their first appearance in Rhode Island ... don't miss it!

Máire Ní Chathasaigh and Chris Newman - POSTPONED!

Due to visa/passport issues affecting their travel from Ireland, our concert with Máire Ní Chathasaigh and Chris Newman will be rescheduled to March 25, 2023.

The celebrated virtuoso partnership of Máire Ní Chathasaigh – “the doyenne of Irish harpers” (Scotland on Sunday) and Chris Newman – “one of the UK’s most staggering and influential acoustic guitarists” (fROOTS), has brought its special musical vision to venues large and small in 22 countries on five continents. Shows are a breathtaking blend of traditional Irish music, hot jazz, bluegrass and baroque, coupled with striking new compositions and Chris’s delightfully subversive wit. Chris was also named "Male Musician of the Year” in the 2019 Live Ireland Awards! Gradam Cheoil TG4, the national Irish-language TV station’s Award for Irish Traditional Musician of the Year, was presented to Máire in 2001 “for the excellence and pioneering force of her music, the remarkable growth she has brought to the music of the harp and the positive influence she has had on the young generation of harpers” at a televised ceremony in the Cork Opera House. The Gradam is the highest, most prestigious honour for a traditional Irish musician and Máire is the sole harpist recipient to date.

Reverie Road featuring Winifred Horan and John Williams

Or call in your reservations for our October 22, 8:00 p.m. concert with Reverie Road to 401-725-9272.

Delivering the driving lilt and lift of Irish music, Reverie Road features Winifred Horan and John Williams, both formerly of Solas, and Katie Grennan and Utsav Lal in a newly-combined and unforgettable concert experience. Embracing humor with their musical insight and natural abilities, Reverie Road offers a powerful mix of curated gems including distilled airs, upbeat reels and jigs, as well as original soundscapes that weave the roots of the Irish musical traditions with fresh new departures. The band chemistry features two accomplished fiddlers who share a common history as award-winning Irish dancers along with two instrumentalists who have sought to redefine rhythmic accompaniment. Winifred Horan is an American violinist and fiddler of Irish descent. After classical training, she played with the all-female Celtic music ensemble Cherish the Ladies before co-founding the award winning and renowned American Irish band Solas. Accordionist John Williams, also a co-founder of Solas, is internationally regarded as one of the foremost players of Irish music today. With five All-Ireland titles to his credit, John is the only American-born competitor ever to win first place in the Senior Concertina category. Pianist Utsav Lal holds a Bachelors in Jazz from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and a Masters in Contemporary Improvisation from the New England Conservatory of Music. He is recognized for his "Ragas to Reels" concert tours that bring together Indian classical music and traditional Irish music in a piano and flute combination. Katie Grennan's traditional fiddle playing carries the articulation of a gifted classical musician tempered by the soul of a champion Irish dancer. Katie was the fiddler in the popular celtic-fusion band Gaelic Storm for over five years.

Gadan

Or call in your reservations for our October 29, 8:00 p.m. concert with Gadan to 401-725-9272.

Gadan is a new band created by four experienced and well-known musicians in the Irish trad and European folk/rock scenes. On this New England debut, Gadan brings a dynamic repertoire with a powerful live appeal and a sound comparable to new-trad acts such as Talisk and WeBanjo3, but with a unique identity thanks to years of experience in folk music, from Traditional Irish & Scottish music to Appalachian & Old Time music, not to mention the deep connection with regional folk ballads of Northern Italy.
 Gadan musically and lyrically explores the deep connection between emigrating people from different part of Europe, such as Ireland and Italy, to the United States, through a reinvigorating and modern musical approach. 
Two banjos – tenor & clawhammer – fiddle, mandolin, bouzouki and guitar result in a “strings-only” sound with a hint of electronics and driven by a powerful rhythmic pulse. Who said you need drums to groove? Gadan features Andrea Verga: mandolin, banjo, vocals; Jacopo Ventura: guitar, bouzouki, vocals; Joan Gatti: fiddle; and Lorenzo Testa: tenor banjo, mandolin, guitar, vocals. Not to be missed!

Le Vent du Nord - SOLD OUT!

WE ARE SOLD OUT AS OF 3:00 PM Thursday! Credit card sales have stopped. It is unlikely we will have any seats open up unless someone is sick. If you want to be on a SHORT wait list for our Friday, November 4, 8:00 p.m. concert with Le Vent du Nord call 401-725-9272 and leave a message. We will ONLY call back to confirm with a yes if you have tickets or not!

The award-winning and highly acclaimed band Le Vent du Nord returns to Blackstone River Theatre as part of their 20th anniversary tour! Dynamic fiddler André Brunet (Celtic Fiddle Festival, La Bottine Souriante) is joined by Simon Beaudry (vocals, bouzouki, guitar), Nicolas Boulerice (vocals, hurdy-gurdy, piano), Olivier Demers (fiddle, guitar, foot-tapping, mandolin), and Réjean Brunet (basses, accordion, jaw harp, vocals). Le Vent du Nord is a leading force in Quebec’s progressive francophone folk movement and an iconic name in Quebec’s traditional music revival. The group’s vast repertoire draws from both traditional sources and original compositions, while enhancing it’s hard-driving soulful music with a broad range of global influences. Le Vent du Nord has performed well over 2,000 concerts over 4 continents and racked up several prestigious awards, including a Grand Prix du Disque Charles Cros, two Junos (Canada’s Grammys), and a CFMA & “Artist of the Year” at the North American Folk Alliance Annual Gala.

Flynn Cohen and Matt Heaton

Or call in your reservations for our Sunday, Nov. 6, 7:00 p.m. concert with Flynn and Matt to 401-725-9272.

Flynn Cohen and Matt Heaton are two of New England's most experienced acoustic guitar players, each having performed with some of the finest performers in folk music. Both are known to audiences for their respective main projects (Low Lily and Matt & Shannon Heaton), but once in a blue moon, the picks come out, and Flynn and Matt join forces for a night of tunes and songs on guitars, bouzouki and mandolin. They got the idea of playing together years ago when they performed Paul Brady & Andy Irvine’s classic album in its entirety, and that record is still a major influence on their arrangements. Expect a night of classic tunes, songs, and probably some tuning … Acoustic Guitar magazine says of Matt, "Powerfully rhythmic playing" and Dirty Linen magazine calls Flynn "a versatile string virtuoso.” Their Fall tour celebrates the 20th anniversary of the release of Flynn’s solo debut album "Dead String Rhythm."

MILE TWELVE

Or call in your reservations for our November 12, 8 p.m. show with Mile Twelve to 401-725-9272.

Mile Twelve is a progressive string band from Boston, Massachusetts. Winners of the 2020 IBMA New Artist of the Year award, they have been making waves in the acoustic music community with their seamless blend of expertly-crafted songs, creative arrangements, and virtuosic execution. The band takes their name from the mile marker that sits at Boston’s southern border on Route 93, a road sign they’ve passed countless times while heading out on tour. They've found receptive audiences across the globe, touring throughout North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. The Mile Twelve lineup offers five of the most promising young musicians in bluegrass: Catherine “BB” Bowness (banjo), Evan Murphy (guitar, lead vocals), Nate Sabat (bass, lead vocals) and new members Ella Jordan (fiddle, vocals), and Korey Brodsky (mandolin). Join us for a great night of bluegrass!

Patrick Ball – "The Fine Beauty of the Island"

Or call in your reservations for our November 13, 3:00 p.m. matinee concert with Patrick Ball to 401-725-9272.

Patrick Ball is one of the premier Celtic harp players in the world as well as a captivating storyteller. In playing the legendary brass-strung harp of Ireland with its crystalline sound, and in performing tales of wit and enchantment, Ball not only brings new life to two cherished traditions, but blends them to create a richly theatrical and hauntingly beautiful performance. There is only one person on the stage, but as Patrick Ball performs "The Fine Beauty of the Island," a whole culture appears before us. Through the voice of his Celtic harp, the lilt of his penny whistle, and the brogues of a pubful of characters, contemporary bard Patrick Ball casts a spell out of scraps of stories, researched history, and the raucous dark humor of the Irish. The play tells some of the story of The Blasket Islands which lie three miles off the coast of County Kerry in Ireland. For centuries they were a lonely, remote place, a place of fishermen and farmers, of poets, musicians and storytellers. In the early 1950s, however, the last remaining inhabitants of the islands were forced to leave their homes and settle on the mainland, for their turf was gone, their land poor, and their seas plundered of fish by large trawlers from England and France. The islanders loaded all that they could carry into their curraghs and rowed away - a leave-taking known historically as "The Vanishing." But they also carried with them their tales and legends, one of which told of a deeply haunting tune that was heard on the winds of the islands, then passed on through generations of island musicians. Twenty years after "The Vanishing," Patrick Ball heard this tune in an Irish bar in San Francisco, and his life was changed forever. In "The Fine Beauty of the Island," Patrick tells the story of his journey in search of the origin and meaning of this strange, enchanting tune which led him back not only to a Blasket Island community and culture "whose like will not be seen again," but to a long-neglected corner of his own past.

ATWATER~DONNELLY BAND with Cathy Clasper-Torch and Erin Lobb Mason

Or call in your reservations for our November 20, 3:00 p.m. matinee concert with Atwater~Donnelly Band to 401-725-9272.

BRT favorites Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly return in a band format with Cathy Clasper-Torch on fiddle, cello and vocals and Erin Lobb Mason on bass 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. This concert will celebrate the release of Aubrey and Elwood's new CD, their 14th album, called "The Boat You Row.” They will also be coming out with their 9th book soon, "Song By Song, Volume II." Elwood and Aubrey blend unusual vocal harmonies and play guitar, Appalachian mountain dulcimer, Irish tin whistle, harmonica, old-time banjo, bones, limberjacks and other musical surprises. Performances are 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 U.S. 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 plays regularly with many ensembles and is also the fiddle instructor at Blackstone River Theatre.

BRT Holiday Craft Fair and Festival

You are invited to Blackstone River Theatre's 14th annual Holiday Craft Fair and Festival which runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is FREE!

Please come out and support BRT programming as well as area craft vendors and home-based businesses while you do your holiday shopping locally! We will have 25 vendors on site between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and the event will also feature continuous live music with Bob Drouin, Josh Kane, Ed Sweeney, Dean Robinson, Cathy Clasper-Torch, Atwater~Donnelly, The Vox Hunters, and The Broad Street Fiddlers, plus raffle prizes and a bake sale table including Welsh cakes! Door prizes will be raffled off from each vendor with the proceeds to benefit BRT's future programming. Think out of the box (store!) 

Vendors include: L&N Toasty Totes (handmade pocketbooks, sling bags and more), Scentsy Wickless Candles, Ducharme Creations in Wood (handmade wooden plaques, ornaments and more), Wooden Buttons (Creative and Fun Crochet Children’s wear), Run of the Mill (Picturesque Rhode Island Landmarks From Above), Bells on My Toes (Christmas stockings and decorations), Tree’s Creations, Jane’s Place (crafts in wood and leather), Designs by Diana (Celtic-themed jewelry, artwork, collectibles), Legging Crazy & More (Custom print leggings & Bath and Body Products), Party Time Mixes, BeachArt by Chrissie (handmade wood burned driftwood signs & ocean-themed ornaments: custom orders available), Little Loops Knits, Crios/Cross (Handmade accessories in natural yarns, Brigid crosses, Celtic artwork), Kissable Lips & Make up by Crissy, Aaron Usher Photography, Pampered Chef, Pocasset Wampanoag Creations (native American artwork and jewelry), Jerry Aissis Watercolors, The Willow Grove (Aromatherapy products ethically Made).

A Very, Very Cassie and Maggie Christmas

Or call in your reservations for our December 3, 8:00 p.m. Christmas show with Cassie and Maggie MacDonald to 401-725-9272.

From the deepest roots of Canada and its very earliest musical traditions come Nova Scotian sisters Cassie and Maggie MacDonald, putting their own 21st century stamp on the Celtic soundtrack of this nation. Exciting and innovative, their talent is surpassed only by the sheer joy they exude in performance. Alternating between Gaelic and English, traditional and contemporary, haunting and electrifying, the duo is nothing short of mesmerizing and we are thrilled to have them return to BRT for the first time in many years! The award winning musical sister duo are no strangers to holiday magic. Part of a multi-generational musical dynasty, Christmas was always a time to gather near and sing boisterously, as in days of old. The doors were always open to company with the New Year just around the corner. Tonight, The MacDonald sisters invite you to bring your kin to A Very, Very Cassie and Maggie Christmas celebrating not only yuletide fun but their new album of the same name. The trademarks of their stage show will be there as sure as reindeer fly! Fiddle, guitar, piano, sibling harmonies and percussive step dance will mark the season, as well as classic Christmas hymns, ancient carols, and a sassy ode to the most mysterious of Santa's reindeer, Vixen ... The sisters have turned heads wherever they go – 2018 JUNO award nominees, Galaxie Radio Rising Star award winners, 17 Canadian Folk Music, East Coast Music and Music Nova Scotia awards and nominations, Female Singers of the Year by Live Ireland Radio, Female Vocal Album of the Year by Chicago Irish American News, and Album of the Year by NPR’s Celtic Connection. Join us for their very special Christmas celebration!

With best wishes for a safe, healthy, and happy new year!

Our biggest wish for everyone is the gift of peace and spending time with family and friends. There’s no place like home for the holidays … and Blackstone River Theatre sincerely thanks you for visiting our home throughout the entire year! From our family to yours, warmest wishes for a joyous holiday season and a very happy and peaceful New Year! 

We look forward to bringing you the best in all forms of traditional music to you in the new year! Here is what is booked so far, with more to be added ... Credit card purchase links will be added in early January!

Sun., Jan. 15, 3 PM, $20 adv / $24 day of – Kevin Doyle's Roscommon Soles

Sun., Jan. 22, 3 PM, $15 adv / $18 day of – Toby Walker

Sat., Jan. 28, 7 PM, $20 adv / $22 day of – Fellswater

Sat., Feb. 4, 3 PM, $18 adv / $20 day of – J.P. Cormier

Sat., Feb. 11, 7 PM, $22 adv / $25 day of – Kittel & Co.

Fri., Feb. 17, 8 PM, $15.00 – Stefan Couture & the Moondog / Cold Chocolate

Sun., Feb. 26, 3 PM, $15 adv / $18 day of – Torrin Ryan & Amy Law / Cathy Clasper-Torch & Shelley Katsh

Sat., March 4, 3 PM, $15 adv / $18 day of – Bill Harley and the Comments

Sun., March 5, 7 PM, $18 adv / $22 day of – Guy Davis

Sun., March 12, 3 PM AND 7 PM, $35 adv / $38 day of – Lunasa with Daoiri Farrell

Sat., March 18, 7 PM, $25 adv / $28 day of – Open the Door for Three

Sat., March 25, 3 PM, $18 adv / $22 day of – Máire Ní Chathasaigh & Chris Newman

Sat., April 1, 8 PM, $25 adv / $28 day of – RUNA

Sat., April 8, 8 PM, $15 adv / $18 day of – Rock Hearts (CD release)

Sat., April 15, 8 PM, $20 adv / $24 – Hanneke Cassel Band (CD release)

Sun., April 30, 7 PM, $20 adv / $24 – E.T.E.

Sat., May 13, 8 PM, $18 adv / $22 day of – Old Blind Dogs