Join Boston-based fiddler Katie McNally and her band for an evening of bold and exquisite tunes bursting from the Scottish and Cape Breton traditions.
The Katie McNally Band will be performing at the Qualicum Beach Acoustic Cafe (QUAC) on April 4 at the Rotary House on the corner of Beach and Fern roads.
Described as “the new face of Scottish fiddling in the USA”, McNally grew up in the vibrant Scottish and Cape Breton music community in Boston and is the 2009 New England Scottish Fiddle Champion.
McNally performs regularly with all-female Celtic band Long Time Courting, has been a member of the New England fiddle supergroup Childsplay since 2009, and joined world-renowned Galician bagpiper Carlos Núñez on his tour of North America in 2012.
Currently on her first tour of the Pacific Northwest, McNally will be teaming up with two of the most innovative voices in Scottish music in the United States, Boston legend Ryan McKasson on viola and Boston-based pianist Neil Pearlman. McNally’s evocative and melodic playing combined with McKasson’s powerful harmonies and counterpoint—all anchored by Pearlman’s rhythmically driving piano accompaniment—creates a uniquely arresting take on traditional music.
QUAC happens on the first Friday of every month. The first half of QUAC begins with open stage performances (which is arranged in advance) and after the intermission the feature band performs. There is also coffee and homemade goodies available.
Tickets are $5 available from the Vintage Candy Shop in Qualicum Beach, and youth are free. Seating is limited.
Those interested in playing open mic contact John Beaton at jabeaton@gmail.com or Dave Barta at dbarta@shaw.ca.
For more on McNally visit her website www.katiemcnally.com.
—Submitted by Joyce Beaton/
NEWS Staff