Blackstone River Theatre

Singer, guitarist and 5-string banjo player Ed Sweeney honors people and their histories by presenting music that entertains and educates. Through his musical expertise, breadth of knowledge, and wonderful sense of humor, he helps listeners understand the motivations, and stories that have made us who and what we are today. For more than 45 years Ed has...

This dynamic band blends the drive of Irish traditional music and bluegrass with the heart and soul of folk and Appalachian music – spiced up with an Italian seasoning for extra flair! Gadan was created by seasoned Italian musicians from the Irish trad and European folk/ rock scene, all with years of experience performing at...

What a way to celebrate Valentine’s Day weekend! Damn Tall Buildings is a celebrated folk-bluegrass band known for their soulful melodies and intricate instrumentals. Based in Brooklyn, this seasoned trio – Max Capistran, Sasha Dubyk, and Avery Ballotta – has spent over a decade honing their craft through dedicated touring and recording. With a distinctive sound that weaves heartfelt lyrics into thoughtful...

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day a few weeks early at BRT with Lúnasa! TWO SHOWS: 3pm & 7pm Named for an ancient Celtic harvest festival in honor of the Irish god Lugh, Lúnasa was formed in 1997 from members of some of the greatest Irish groups of the previous decade, an early review from Folk Roots magazine describing...

Skye Consort & Emma Björling return to perform trans-Atlantic arrangements of songs and tunes from Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Scotland, England, and Québec, as well as original compositions. They find enchanting stories and melodies, then bring them into the 21st century with worldly chamber-folk settings. Each musician brings their own individual interpretation to these traditions to create...

Ken Perlman is a pioneer of the 5-string banjo style known as melodic clawhammer; he is considered one of today’s top clawhammer players, known in particular for his skillful adaptations of Celtic, Appalachian, & Canadian fiddle tunes. An acclaimed teacher of folk-music instrumental skills, Ken has written such widely used banjo instruction books as Clawhammer Style...

The Glasgow-based five-piece band, Ímar, stands out from the crowd by taking things back to basics. With a line-up featuring members of Talisk, Mànran, Mec Lir, and RURA, and an impressive collection of top awards – including a 2018 BBC Radio 2 Musician Of The Year, 2016 BBC Radio Scotland Young Musician of the Year,...

Celebrating its 15-year anniversary as a band, the Celtic-American roots group RUNA continues to push the boundaries of Irish folk music into the Americana and roots music formats. Interweaving the haunting melodies and exuberant tunes of Ireland and Scotland with the lush harmonies and intoxicating rhythms of jazz, bluegrass, flamenco and blues, RUNA offers a thrilling...

Téada will be celebrating its 25th anniversary as a band just as Blackstone River Theatre celebrates its 25th anniversary year so this is a perfect match! 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. Highlights...

Lily Neill has captivated audiences around the world with the dynamism and breadth of her performances, and her infectious passion for the harp. She has played for world leaders and ambassadors, luminaries in the world of music, and listeners who never dreamed they would ever hear a harp. Critics have praised her effortless technique and the uniqueness of her style, with Irish Music...

The debut album by Macdara Yeates, “Traditional Singing from Dublin,” marks a new arrival on the Irish folkscape. Named in MOJO’s “Top 10 Folk Albums of the Year” and nominated for two RTÉ Radio One Folk Awards, the album features a rich store of old and weathered folk songs, ranging from the comic and surreal to the mournful and disconsolate. Siobhán Long...

Alash are masters of Tuvan throat singing (xöömei), a remarkable technique for singing multiple pitches at the same time. What distinguishes this group from earlier generations of Tuvan throat singers is the subtle infusion of modern influences into their traditional music. One can find complex harmonies, western instruments, and contemporary song forms in Alash’s music, but...

The word été in French means summer – a fitting tribute to how this trio’s original, lively take on Québec traditional music is infused with a new vitality. With lush vocal harmonies, deep groove, and rich instrumentation, É.T.É are an explosive trio on stage, transforming the nostalgia of a kitchen party into an unforgettable show...

If you like your Celtic music loud, this concert is for you!  Blackstone River Theatre hosts the return of Tempest, celebrating 38 years of Celtic Rock music! Since forming in 1988, Tempest has delivered a globally-renowned hybrid of high-energy Folk Rock, fusing Irish reels, Scottish ballads, Norwegian influences and other world music elements. The last...

Twenty years on from winning the Danny Kyle Open Stage Award at Celtic Connections, Breabach remain securely ranked amongst Scotland’s most skilled & imaginative contemporary-folk acts and at the forefront of the burgeoning traditional music scene. The band unites deep roots in Highland and Island Gaelic tradition alongside progressive musical influences and have cultivated a unique sound,...

With multiple Canadian Folk Music Awards, Genticorum have earned a reputation as a leading voice in the evolution of Québécois traditional music. For over twenty years, the trio has earned a place of privilege on world, traditional, folk and Celtic music stages. Known for their unbridled energy, their musicianship, and their magnetic stage presence, Pascal Gemme and Yann Falquet, the...