BRATTLEBORO — Southern Vermont's daylong Northern Roots Traditional Music Festival takes place Saturday, Jan. 26, principally at New England Youth Theatre.
Now in its sixth year, the Brattleboro Music Center's annual festival brings together local and regional musicians representing the best of various northern musical traditions. This year's festival features more than 20 musicians representing the rich musical heritages of England, Ireland, Scotland, French Canada, and New England.
Visitors will find a strong Scottish flavor in the fiddle work of Katie McNally, the storytelling team of Jerry and Nancy Bell, and local Scottish piper Dan Houghton.
Also returning for this year's evening performance is the Traddleboro ensemble, a shifting conglomeration of local musicians who each year create and perform a set specifically for the Northern Roots Festival.
David Baker, of Baker Violin Shop of Dummerston, will be on hand to advise on fiddle care.
Most festival events take place at New England Youth Theatre, 100 Flat St., with sessions occurring simultaneously throughout the building, including performances in the main theater and a family dance on the stage.
McNeill's Brewery, at 90 Elliot St., provides the perfect setting for a rollicking afternoon of jam sessions.
Festival highlights include the Boston-based duo of Scottish fiddler Katie McNally and guitarist Eric McDonald; Connecticut-based traditional singer Ellen Cohn; Massachusetts-based New England fiddler David Kaynor; and local Vermont musicians fiddler Laurie Indenbam, accordionist Andy Davis, and pianist Arthur Davis.
This year's Traddleboro ensemble includes Scottish piper Dan Houghton, singer Charity Houghton, New England fiddler Lissa Schneckenburger, and French Canadian guitar, mandolin, piano, and foot percussionist Keith Murphy.
You'll also want to catch Scottish and Irish husband and wife storytelling team Jerry and Nancy Bell; Irish flute and whistle player Dan Restivo; traditional English folk singer Tony Barrand; pianist and accordionist Mary Cay Brass; and Irish and French Canadian fiddler Becky Tracy.