Celtic Concert The concert this year features high-spirited, foot-stomping, heart-warming Celtic roots band Burning Bridget Cleary with a guest appearance by Bonnie Rideout, world renowned Scottish fiddler, in her only appearance on stage in 2011.
Fiddles, bagpipes–and the voices of talented performers–will have you tapping your feet in time with the music.
Burning Bridget Cleary The band prides itself on serving up a sprightly blend of traditional and original Celtic music with the primary goal of working audiences into a toe-tapping, hand-clapping frenzy. The band was formed five years ago by teen fiddlers Rose Baldino and Genevieve Gillespie, along with Rose’s father Lou on guitar. They have since been joined by Peter Trezzi on djembe and drums. The group was named after Bridget Cleary, a young Irish woman killed by her husband in the late 19th century because he believed her flu symptoms were evidence of witchcraft. She was the last "witch" burned in Ireland. Everything is Alright, the second album by Burning Bridget Cleary, was named Album of the Year by the Celtic Radio Music Awards of Highland Radio at CelticRadio.net. The award acknowledges “musical creativity and extraordinary work on an album which provides recognition of exceptional contributions to Celtic music.” They just celebrated their fifth year together by releasing their third recording, Totes for Goats, which is noted for the fierce fiddle playing and tightly woven vocal harmonies. While the Rose and Genna obviously enjoy displaying a more electric, boundary-blurring musicianship and occasionally spontaneously break into a flurry of step dancing, they also are adept at evocative ballads and have deep respect for the traditional roots of Celtic music. They sing in English and in Gaelic, with Lou occasionally takes the vocal lead. It’s important to them that the group not take itself too seriously, which is why interacting with the audience is such an essential part of their live shows. Burning Bridget Cleary will be appearing only at the Friday concert, so get your tickets now!Bonnie Rideout On stages from Scotland’s Edinburgh International Festival to America’s Kennedy Center, Bonnie Rideout’s unique style of Scottish fiddling has charmed audiences across the globe . Bonnie has been featured on the BBC, CBS, NPR’s Performance Today, and Morning Edition. She is also consistently played on NPR’s The Thistle and Shamrock. Bonnie has recorded over thirteen solo albums and appeared as a guest musician on dozens of CDs with Sony, BMG, Time Life, Ryco Disc, Dorian, Rounder Records, and Maggie’s Music. Her A Scottish Christmas CD became a New York Times “Top Ten Holiday Best Seller.” Its success prompted a touring show that sold out halls across North America for over a decade. Her popular recording, Gi’ Me Elbow Room received the coveted Parent’s Choice Gold Award. She has received numerous Washington Area Music Association “WAMMY” awards every year since 1994 and has several GRAMMY nominated albums. Ms. Rideout is the only American to hold the honor of representing Scottish fiddle music at the prestigious Edinburgh International Festival. She is the first woman to hold the national Scottish fiddle title and the youngest to have garnered the U.S. Championship, winning it for three consecutive years. Bonnie has discontinued competing to become an adjudicator and professional recording artist and has maintained a consistently high profile in the international Celtic music scene. Bonnie has just completed Volume One of a new double CD project focused on the art of fiddle piobaireachd. Bonnie Rideout also will be performing at the Saturday Highland Festival.
Concert goers will be piped into the concert by members of the small pipes of the Garrett Highlands Pipes and Drums. Golf Tournament | Saturday Festival | Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans |
