From bluegrass to string quartets this weekend
The Indian River Festival offers two diverse concerts this weekend: Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys today at 7:30 p.m. and the Cecilia String Quartet on Sunday, July 26, 7:30 p.m.
Prince Edward Island’s own Rhythm Boys’ take to the stage to deliver an exhilarating live show with their engaging, sometimes jaw-dropping, stagecraft and showmanship. Mackeeman, known for his fiddle playing and his “crazy legs” shakes and twist, is joined by the surefooted accompaniment of the Rhythm Boys. With flavours of traditional bluegrass and roots music, bolstered by their stunning musicianship, the group has returned from touring across the U.K., Ireland, Belgium, Malaysia and Australia.
Taking their name from St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music, the Cecilia String Quartet celebrates 10 years of touring, recording and mentoring other young musicians. Currently resident artists at the University of Toronto, this award-winning ensemble has delighted audiences from Amsterdam to London’s Wigmore Hall with powerful and expressive interpretations of classic and contemporary repertoire. Works by Haydn, Webern and Mendelssohn will come to life on the St. Mary’s stage. The Canada Council Instrument Bank has provided support of this performance; Rachel Desoer will be playing the 1929 Carlo Giuseppe Oddone cello, on loan from the prestigious collection of fine instruments. Join Desroer at 6:45 p.m. on Sunday for a preconcert talk in the festival’s pavilion, as she discusses playing on this rare instrument and life as a chamber musician.
This weekend, the festival will also welcome actress Jennifer Carroll to the stage. She will perform as beloved author Lucy Maud Montgomery in “Maud of Leaskdale”, a one-woman play that recreates Maud’s life as a newly married minister’s wife. The one remaining performance take place on Saturday, July 25, 3 p.m.
The festival’s new outdoor pavilion is now open one hour prior to show time, and audience members are invited to enjoy the space and grab some refreshments before the show.
Performances take place St. Mary’s Church, Indian River. Ticket and concert information can be found by visiting www.indianriverfestival.com or by phoning our box office at 1-866856-3733.