7:30 — Fifth Business
Fifth Business has been sharing songs about rural living and problematic behaviors for nearly twenty years, bringing their blend of original music and traditional tunes to the farmers’ markets and town halls of the NEK. Featuring Nick Anzalone’s genre-defying fiddle, Stuart Corso’s lively button accordion, Steve Davie’s expressive guitar and octave mandolin, and vocals and random percussion from Heather Alger and Kate Davie, they will be sharing some Welsh tunes, some tear-jerking Irish music, and the one and only happy Scottish love song in captivity.
8:00 — Footworks
Inspired by the high-energy Celtic music of Cape Breton Island, Footworks is a dynamic band that brings audiences the powerful rhythm and beautiful melodies of Celtic music. Footworks' traditional songs, rollicking fiddle, lovely Irish whistle, and strong guitar rhythm make for a delightful and unforgettable musical experience.
9:00 — If You Must Know
While firmly rooted in the fertile ground of Scottish traditional music, harpist Rachel Clemente and piper Dan Houghton’s gritty, avant-garde musical interpretations put them at the forefront of Celtic folk musicians in New England. They are both avid tunesmiths and their repertoire reflects this as it features many original compositions as well as traditional melodies.
Vermont-based pedal and traditional Scottish harpist Rachel Clemente has had a passion for music from the early age of five. She began her harp training as a student of the Suzuki method. In addition, she discovered her love of Scottish music through events and competitions held by the Scottish Harp Society of America and the Ohio Scottish Arts School. Her musical education then continued at renowned arts boarding high school Interlochen Arts Academy. In July of 2018, Rachel graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow with a bachelors degree in traditional Scottish music. She also won the title of U.S National Scottish Harp Champion in 2016.
Dan Houghton is a Scottish piper, flautist and DADGAD guitarist currently residing in southwestern Vermont. Winner of numerous competitions, including the Scottish Lowland and Border Pipers’ Society “Open Borderpipes” and “New Composition” events and the St. Chartier “Mâitre de Cornemuse,” he has toured and taught extensively throughout Britain, Europe, Ireland, America, Asia and the Antipodes. He performs as a soloist as well as in various ensembles, not least amongst which may be counted the Scottish power-trad band, Cantrip, the Salsa fusion band Salsa Celtica, the more RSCDS based Parcel of Rogues, the “Celtic” Rock band Prydein and, more recently, Piper’s Den.