Courtney Hogan welcomes Keelin Wedge, ‘Music Man’ to Emerald

P.E.I. fiddler Courtney Hogan is gearing up for another Friday Ceilidh at the Emerald Boxcar Pub & Grill Community Centre.

The night of fiddling, singing and dancing begins at 7:30 p.m. at the air conditioned and licensed venue.

Food and drinks will be available at 5:30 p.m. Admission at the door. CDs, 50/50 tickets and ceilidh shirts will be available as well.

This week Hogan welcomes Keelin Wedge and Michael Pendergast to the stage. Wedge, making her first appearance at the Emerald Celidhs, is the newest member of popular Island band Fiddlers’ Sons. She plays several instruments over different musical genres and is a strong vocalist.

Pendergast, known across P.E.I. as a popular children’s performer, “The Music Man”, has Irish-Acadian roots that make for a perfect blend of humour, storytelling and traditional music at just about any kitchen party.

Every kitchen party needs a step dancer, and Hogan will welcome Janelle Banks to the stage on Friday Banks has won numerous awards for her fastpaced dancing feet, and has appeared in several theatre productions.

Hogan, a popular Celtic and traditional fiddler, has been playing music since the age of five and hosting her own ceilidhs for over 10 years. She’s also a veterinarian at the Summerside Animal Hospital and a new mom.

“The last few years have been filled with a lot of late nights and early mornings trying to balance both of my passions, but I’m right where I want to be now,” she says.

“I’ve played in just about every small hall on P.E.I., but there’s no place like the (Emerald) Boxcar. It just has a good vibe and the strong local support we get there is humbling.”