Elsie Gawler and Ethan Stokes Tischler are New England songsters and tunesmiths who weave together a musical world of past, present, and hopeful future. They delight in learning and sharing the rich musical traditions of New England, Quebec, their Celtic influencers, and Scandinavia, as well as crafting their own tunes and songs to carry these traditions forward. Their music ranges from poignant original songs that come straight from the heart to rollicking fiddle tunes, sea shanties and everything in between. With harmonies, banjo, guitar, fiddle, cello, smiles, and anecdotes, they craft a rich musical experience that fills the hearts of audiences across the Northeast and beyond. For more information about Elsie and Ethan go to www.elsieandethan.com
Sharing the evening with Elsie and Ethan will be Maine musician Owen Kennedy who is an award-winning fiddler rooted in the Maine Maritime tradition. Kennedy has immersed himself in his growing passion for Scottish music, splitting time between Maine and Cape Breton where he's studying Gaelic language, culture, and music. In addition to winning the Junior US National Scottish Fiddle Championship and the New England Open Scottish Fiddle Competition, Owen was awarded the Young Stars of Maine “Glenn Jenks Future in Music” Prize and was a Club Passim “Iguana Music Fund” recipient. Owen’s debut album, “Oh When: Now,” recorded with Owen Marshall, came out in 2023; he is also wrapping up a solo project, 50 Fiddlers from 50 States, which is available on YouTube. Owen's love of traditional music and enthusiasm for performing has taken him all over New England, Maritime Canada, and over to Scotland and Shetland, where he has played with the Pineland Fiddlers, the Young Tradition Vermont Touring Group and Youth Commission, and in duos with Seán Heely, Ethan Tischler, and Ben Foss. For more information about Owen, go to www.fiddlerokennedy.com.
The trio will also share tunes from Owen’s debut album, “Oh When: Now” and from the Seán Heely Celtic Band's recent release, "Dramagical". More information about their Maine tour is available at www.fiddlerokennedy.com/projects/owen-sean-heely.
Champion Celtic fiddler and singer Seán Heely is rapidly emerging as one of his generation’s most creatively versatile and captivating young artists. He is a U.S National Scottish Fiddle Champion and an award-winning Irish Fiddler and folksinger specializing in Scottish Gaelic.
Maine musician Owen Kennedy is an award-winning fiddler rooted in the Maine Maritime tradition and immersed in his growing passion for Scottish music, splitting time between Maine and Cape Breton where he's studying Gaelic culture and music. In addition to winning the Junior US National Scottish Fiddle Championship and the New England Open Scottish Fiddle Competition, Owen was awarded the Young Stars of Maine “Glenn Jenks Future in Music” Prize and was selected for “Best of All Things Irish” from the Maine Irish Heritage Center. Since 2019, Owen & Seán have been performing in venues across Maine.
For the June 2024 tour, they are joined by Kevin Elam, a multi-instrumentalist rooted in Irish traditional music, and the 2019 All-Ireland Champion in Men's Singing. Kevin plays the tin whistle, guitar, mandolin and banjo, and has honed his skills as a singer and interpreter of Irish traditional song.
The trio will also share tunes from Owen’s debut album, “Oh When: Now” and from the Seán Heely Celtic Band's recent release, "Dramagical". More information about their Maine tour is available at www.fiddlerokennedy.com/projects/owen-sean-heely.
Champion Celtic fiddler and singer Seán Heely is rapidly emerging as one of his generation’s most creatively versatile and captivating young artists. He is a U.S National Scottish Fiddle Champion and an award-winning Irish Fiddler and folksinger specializing in Scottish Gaelic.
Maine musician Owen Kennedy is an award-winning fiddler rooted in the Maine Maritime tradition and immersed in his growing passion for Scottish music, splitting time between Maine and Cape Breton where he's studying Gaelic culture and music. In addition to winning the Junior US National Scottish Fiddle Championship and the New England Open Scottish Fiddle Competition, Owen was awarded the Young Stars of Maine “Glenn Jenks Future in Music” Prize and was selected for “Best of All Things Irish” from the Maine Irish Heritage Center. Since 2019, Owen & Seán have been performing in venues across Maine.
For the June 2024 tour, they are joined by Kevin Elam, a multi-instrumentalist rooted in Irish traditional music, and the 2019 All-Ireland Champion in Men's Singing. Kevin plays the tin whistle, guitar, mandolin and banjo, and has honed his skills as a singer and interpreter of Irish traditional song.
The trio will also share tunes from Owen’s debut album, “Oh When: Now” and from the Seán Heely Celtic Band's recent release, "Dramagical". More information about their Maine tour is available at www.fiddlerokennedy.com/projects/owen-sean-heely.
Champion Celtic fiddler and singer Seán Heely is rapidly emerging as one of his generation’s most creatively versatile and captivating young artists. He is a U.S National Scottish Fiddle Champion and an award-winning Irish Fiddler and folksinger specializing in Scottish Gaelic.
Maine musician Owen Kennedy is an award-winning fiddler rooted in the Maine Maritime tradition and immersed in his growing passion for Scottish music, splitting time between Maine and Cape Breton where he's studying Gaelic culture and music. In addition to winning the Junior US National Scottish Fiddle Championship and the New England Open Scottish Fiddle Competition, Owen was awarded the Young Stars of Maine “Glenn Jenks Future in Music” Prize and was selected for “Best of All Things Irish” from the Maine Irish Heritage Center. Since 2019, Owen & Seán have been performing in venues across Maine.
For the June 2024 tour, they are joined by Kevin Elam, a multi-instrumentalist rooted in Irish traditional music, and the 2019 All-Ireland Champion in Men's Singing. Kevin plays the tin whistle, guitar, mandolin and banjo, and has honed his skills as a singer and interpreter of Irish traditional song.
FMI: https://www.vtfolklife.org/touring-group
Family friendly, all are welcome.
6 pm to 7 pm potluck, 7 to 7:30 beginner and Main Dance 7:30 to 10 pm
Sutton Traditional Fiddle FestivalAug 17th ~ Sutton, QC
Brownington Ceilidh ClubAugust 18th 2pm ~ Brownington, VT
Old Time fiddler Fiona Stowell, New England piano and Old Time banjo player Emmett Stowell, Scottish fiddler and tenor banjo player Owen Kennedy, Irish fiddler and dancer Fern Tamagini-O’Donnell, and singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Grace Martin are thrilled to be getting the band back together and returning to the stage.
More information about this summer's events coming soon!
SELECTED PAST EVENTS
2024
Tartan Day Scottish Concert - Port Hood, NS
Farnsworth Music Series with Ben Foss - Rockland, ME
Maine Highland Council for the Arts with Ethan Tischler - Dover-Foxcroft, ME
Homeschool Fiddle Music in Maine's Logging Camps Homeschool Program - Winthrop, ME
With Sugar in the Pan: Callahan Hall/Lewiston Pubic Library, Rockport Opera House, Kennebec Contra Dance - Maine
2023
Flurry Festival with YTV Ambassadors - Saratoga Springs, NY
Young Tradition Vermont Touring Group - Burlington, VT
Brownington Ceilidh Club with Youth Commission - Brownington, VT
St. Patrick's Day with the Youth Commission - Montpelier, VT
Kennebec Contra Dance with the Pineland Fiddlers - Hallowell, ME
Surry Contra Dance with the Windjammers - Surry, ME
Chandler Center for the Arts with YTV Touring Group - Randolph, VT
Cape Breton Tour with YTV Touring Group
Young Tradition Festival - Burlington, VT
Maine Irish Heritage Center with Seán Heely - Portland, ME
Oasis of Music - Lewiston, ME
Feast & Field Concert Series with Young Tradition Youth Commission - Barnard, VT
Farewell Reunion Concert with Young Tradition Youth Commission - Sheldon, VT
Fête de Mai with Young Tradition Youth Commission - Waterville, QC
Campfire Festival at Club Passim with Young Tradition Youth Commssion - Cambridge, MA
Searsport Concert Series with Pineland Fiddlers and Ben Foss - Searsport, ME
Old South Church Concert Series with Ethan Tischler - Farmington, ME
Acadia Trad Festival with Owen Marshall and the Youth Commission - Bar Harbor, ME
Cherryfield House Concert with Ethan Tischler - Cherryfield, ME
Music at the J Concert Series with Owen Marshall - Portland, ME
Ships of 1801: Bochans & a Birthday - Mabou, Cape Breton NS
Highland Village Oidhche Shamhna (Gaelic Halloween) - Iona, Cape Breton NS
Weds Night Céilidh with Colin MacDonald at the Colaisde na Gàidhlig / The Gaelic College - St. Anns, Cape Breton NS
Tapestry Singers Concert "Tis the Season" - Damariscotta, ME
Boxing Day Contradance with Ellen Gawler and Ben Foss - Hallowell, ME
2022
Young Tradition Vermont Touring Group Concert - Shelburne, VT
Laura Ingalls Christmas Concert - Clinton, ME
Open for Coig with Ethan Tischler - Farmington, ME
Open for House of Hamill - Farmington, ME
Oasis of Music - Lewiston, ME
Open for Glenn Jenks Revue - Rockport, ME
Open for Waldo Fiddle Fest with Ethan Tischler - Waldoboro, ME
notloB Parlour Concert with Ethan Tischler - Harvard, MA
Cumston Hall with Seán Heely - Monmouth, ME
Vienna Music Hall with Pineland Fiddlers and Seán Heely - Vienna, ME
Fiddlers in the Forest with Seán Heely - Lewiston, ME
The Big E Vermont Day with Pete Sutherland, Winslow & Sam - W Springfield, MA
New Hampshire Highland Games Open Competition - Lincoln, NH
Burlington City Arts Concert with Young Tradition Vermont - Burlington, VT
Norland Living History Center - Livermore, ME
The Maine Highland Games with the Seán Heely Band - Brunswick, ME
The Dance Hall with the Seán Heely Band - Kittery, ME
Maine Red Hot Dog Festival - Dexter, ME
Readfield Union Meeting House with Greg Boardman & Steve Muise - Readfield, ME
Cherryfield House Concert with Ethan Tischler - Cherryfield, ME
Maine Celtic Celebration - Belfast, ME
East Fairfield Summer Concert Series - East Fairfield, VT
Make Music Portland - Portland, ME
Maine Tour with Seán Heely & Beth Patterson - Bridgton, Portland, Searsport, Farmington, Bangor
Young Tradition Festival - Burlington, VT
Vermont Maple Festival with Young Tradition Touring Group - St. Albans, VT
New England Folk Festival Trad Fiddle Show (virtual)
Boston Celtic Music Festival with Seán Heely (virtual)
2021
Opening for Coig - Old South Church Concert Series - Farmington, ME
Best of All Things Irish in Maine - Maine Irish Heritage Center (virtual)
Opening Set for Maine Fall Fiddle Fest - Waldoboro Theatre - Waldoboro, ME
American Music from the Shakers to the 21st Century Concert with the Down East Singers - Camden, ME
Maine Tour with Seán Heely - Litchfield, Boothbay, Auburn, Winthrop, Searsport
Opening for Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas - Elley-Long Center - Colchester, VT
New World Festival - Bethany Church - Randolph, VT
Fiddle on the Front Porch - Cumston Hall - Monmouth, ME
Make Music Portland - Portland, ME
Young Stars of Maine Prizewinners Concert - Rockport Opera House - Rockport, ME
Old Songs Festival with Young Tradition Touring Group - Elley-Long Center - Colchester, VT
Club Passim Campfire Festival (virtual)
Cabot Arts Celtic Equinox (virtual)
Solo Trad Fiddle Show at New England Folk Festival (virtual)
2020
Young Tradition Touring Group - Chandler Center for the Arts, Highland Center for the Arts, Barre Opera House - VT
Hornpipe Night with Owen Marshall - Irish Night at Blue - Portland, ME
Make Music Portland (virtual)
Floating Fiddle Concert - Belgrade Lakes - Belgrade, ME
Young Tradition Vermont Interview & Solo Set (virtual)
2019
Down East Country Dance Festival with Maine Folque Co-op - Topsham, ME
Opening Set for Acadia Traditional School of Music & Dance - Bar Harbor, ME
Windjammer Festival with Ben Foss - Boothbay Harbor, ME
Solo set at The Big Gig for The Shetland Folk Frenzy - Mareel - Lerwick, Shetland
Solo Set at Pineland Fiddler/Hjaltibonhoga Concert - Lerwick, Shetland
Opened for Pete's Posse ~ North Church Concert Series - Farmington, ME
House Concert at MacArthur House - Marlboro, VT
St. Andrew's Day Solo Show - Winthrop, ME
PRIOR HIGHLIGHTS
Cape Breton with Pineland Fiddlers - Gaelic College, Red Shoe Pub, Celtic Interpretive Center
American Folk Festival 2015 with Maine Folque Co-op - Folklife Center - Bangor, ME
With Lisa Ornstein and Le Bruit Court dans la Ville - Olin Arts Center - Lewiston, ME
Franco Day 2016 & 2017 with Maine Folque Co-op - Maine State House - Augusta, ME
Maine Highland Games 2016 with Pineland Fiddlers - Topsham, ME
Maine Acoustic Festival 2017 & 2018 - Falmouth, ME
Celebrity Chef Gala 2017 & 2018 - Sugarloaf Conference Center - Carrabassett Valley, ME
Tree for Boston Centennial Commemoration - Maine State House - Augusta, ME
Contradance with Claude Méthé and Dana Whittle - Colby College - Waterville, ME
Boys & Girls Club of America 2018 Conference with National Youth Talent Performers - San Diego, CA
Solo at Boys and Girls Club of America Board of Directors Dinner - San Diego, CA
American Folk Festival 2018 with Genticorum - Dance Tent - Bangor, ME
Cape Breton for Celtic Colours 2018 - various open mics & sessions