Musical
2011 Musical Entertainment
Danielle Enblom
Danielle’s interests as a dancer span many genres. From modern dance to salsa, hip hop to ballet, contact improvisation to Appalachian clogging and her latest endeavor and love, the American vernacular, Lindy Hop (swing dancing), her interests continue to expand and morph. Throughout the years and various studies, though, Irish dance has been her central focus. Dancing competitively for many years, Danielle honed the precision and technique that is the foundation of modern Irish step dancing; and, having spent much of her childhood at ceilis and sessions, she was given a strong sense of the tradition, community and soul behind the culture. Stepping away from the competitive world in her teenage years, Danielle went on to spend a year studying Irish music at University College Cork, in Ireland, where she earned a Diploma in Traditional Irish Music and studied under musicians including Connie O’Connell, Bobby Gardner and Matt Cranitch. It was during this year that she was reintroduced to Irish dancing, but this time in the form of old style step dancing, set dancing and sean nós (old style) dancing. In Cork Danielle had the pleasure of learning to dance the polka and slide sets of Sliabh Luachra from the legendary Peggy McTeggert as well as the old step dancing from Peggy’s childhood. An interest was sparked, and Danielle’s focus moved away from the modern step dancing and towards set dancing and sean nós dancing, and then on to other percussive forms of dance such as Cape Breton step dancing, American tap, Appalachian clogging and Quebecois step dancing.
In addition to her performances, Danielle will be teaching several workshops, on Saturday she’ll be doing Sean Nos Dance, and on Sunday “House Dances of Donegal”. Please take a look at the schedule for times and locations of these demonstrations/workshops.
Laura MacKenzie
“Celtic Music Wizard” – Minneapolis Star Tribune
….Music from Ireland, Scotland, England, Nova Scotia, Central France and Galicia on a dazzling array of wind-powered instruments, including flutes, whistles, concertina, voice, and many bagpipes – Scottish, French and English, bellows and blown.
….Performing in concert, and for community programs, theatrical productions and studio projects.
….Teaching traditional music, through lessons and workshops.
~ Laura has learned from many tradition bearers on both sides of the Atlantic, and has herself been recognized as a Master Folk Artist (Minnesota State Arts Board). She has been lauded as a “Celtic music wizard” by the Minneapolis Star Tribune and a “High priestess of Celtic music” by Minnesota Public Radio.
In addition to her performances, Laura will also be teaching an intro to the tin whistle on our workshop stage during the weekend. Please take a look at the schedule for times and places.
Ross Sutter
Ross Sutter is a very popular performer who plays an impressive array of folk instruments – guitar, bodhran, button accordion, dulcimer, bones – but is best known for his singular baritone voice. Ross loves to sing Irish, Scottish, and Scandinavian songs, as well as favorite American traditional and popular songs. He has performed on radio, television and at festivals, and works regularly in schools teaching the songs and folk dances that he has collected over the years. His rapport with children is extraordinary, but he also possesses the unique ability to thoroughly entertain the parents and adults in the audience as well.
Reviews:
“Few performers to visit the Children’s Museum have had the kind of lasting popularity of Ross Sutter…his shows are an astounding array of story and song.”
- The Children’s Museum of Minnesota
“Many thanks for your Young Arts performance. Your commitment, rapport, and enjoyment of children were all quite evident.”
- Director of family programs – Walker Art Center
“What an extraordinary experience you gave the audience and participants in the Children’s Music Festival! You created in just minutes-a community of people delighted to have the opportunity to participate in the wonderful process of music-making.”
- Director of Graduate Programs in Music Education at the University of St. Thomas
Ross’s work is featured on the recordings Walking on Air, Up the Raw, Crossing the Shannon, Hunger No More, Songs By Heart, Over the Water, and on his popular children’s CD, Mama Will You Buy Me a Banana?
For more information on Ross, please click on this link to his home page http://www.rosssutter.com/
Twin Cities Metro Pipe Band
We are pleased to announce the addition of a competition pipe band, the Twin Cities Metro Pipe Band to our 2011 entertainment lineup. TC Metro is primarily a competition band competing in Grade 4 in the Mid-West Pipe Band Association (MWPBA). During the summer they regularly attend four to six Highland games around the Midwest and participate in 12 to 15 parades. Please make them welcome and attend their performances during the 2011 NESD Celtic Faire!