2016
October 2016
Alison Perkins & Nicolas Brown
Location
HOUSE CONCERT & Potluck
near downtown, Champaign, IL
Ticket Prices
$15
Adult
This will be a HOUSE CONCERT & potluck near downtown Champaign, IL. Seating is very limited. Reservations are required.
Alison Perkins (fiddler of Detroit-based Irish band Finvarra's Wren) and Nicolas Brown have been playing Irish traditional music on uilleann pipes and fiddle together for close to a decade. As individuals, they have performed onstage at festivals and concerts across the U.S and Canada. Together they are bringing their close musical partnership to the stage. Introducing old Irish tunes with new feeling, they will bring forth the beauty found in jigs, reels, and more.
Born in Illinois and raised in Ontario, Nicolas Brown first started playing Irish music when he was in his late teens. His pipe teacher gave him two CDs: one of Willie Clancy and one of Seamus Ennis which he proceeded to listen to on repeat for the next year. Eventually, he got his own set of pipes and a flute (and some more CDs!) and set out on his journey down the Irish music rabbit hole. Over the past 15 years, Nicolas has not only become a very proficient musician, but has also developed a vast knowledge of Irish music history, including of old musicians, tune histories, Irish music in America, and more. Nicolas has performed and given workshops at various venues and festivals in Canada and the US.
A native of Detroit, Michigan, Alison Perkins grew up in a household filled with music. The daughter of musicians, she attended her first concerts when she was still in diapers. As a child, she learned the fiddle from Irishman Mick Gavin, whose lovely Clare fiddling is imprinted on Alison's musical style. During her teenage years, she had success in music competitions, winning in her age group at the Midwest Irish Fiddle championship 6 years in a row before "retiring" at the old age of 18. She was also a member of many award winning groups, trios and duets. As she neared adulthood, Alison grew from precocious child to masterful young player--something that hasn't gone unrecognized by the community. At age 19, in 2007, she was invited by Irish singing legend Sean Keane to go on a Canadian and American tour. Her work with her much praised family band, Finvarra's Wren, has awarded her the honor of playing music all over North America, from Ontario, Canada to Austin, Texas.
Aislinn Gagliardi
Location
HOUSE CONCERT & Potluck
near downtown, Champaign, IL
Ticket Prices
$20
Adult
This will be a HOUSE CONCERT & potluck near downtown Champaign, IL. Seating is very limited. Reservations are required.
Aislinn Gagliardi is an Irish harpist and composer based in Chicago, and is well sought after as a performer, teacher and recording artist. Drawing from her background in Irish dance, and influenced by a diverse musical range from classical to Cape Breton, Aislinn’s distinct style shines through her music in an open and honest way. Known for her syncopated and rhythmic accompaniment, her compositions and arrangements offer a fresh perspective to the Irish music tradition.
Raised immersed in the Irish culture (the shared heritage on both sides of her family) Aislinn learned about Irish customs through dance, music and language lessons. She was drawn to the harp from an early age, and studied with various Irish and Celtic harpers including Janet Harbison and Michael Rooney. Aislinn also spent a semester abroad at the University of Limerick where she worked closely with Irish harper Fionnuala Rooney.
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