In November, a number of critically acclaimed traditional musical acts will make their way through Harrisburg.
Considering the season, I think the timing is good. In November, we celebrate the last bounty of the harvest and more traditional ways of life. It represents the last month before winter hibernation begins. Something about the plucking of a harp or the picking of a banjo just seems right. So, before you hole up for the colder months, take an evening and celebrate autumn with one of these old-fashioned folk ensembles.
MÁIRE NÍ CHATHASAIGH & CHRIS NEWMAN, 11/1, FORT HUNTER CENTENNIAL BARN, $10/$20: Máire is an award-winning, traditional Irish harpist. Chris is an award-winning guitar virtuoso. Therefore, when they perform together, the traditional folk music press takes notice. Touring the world, Máire and Chris have earned praise throughout Europe, as well as from more distant locales, such as Japan and Australia. They have recorded seven albums together, including “Out of Court,” which earned the Daily Telegraph’s “Folk Album of the Year” in 1991. Performing at the Centennial Barn, one of Harrisburg’s most historical and picturesque gems, this concert is a must see for any fan of traditional Celtic folk.
CHATHAM COUNTY LINE, 11/7, H*MAC HERR STREET STAGE, $18/$20: The first of two featured bluegrass bands this month, Chatham County Line formed in Raleigh, N.C., in 1999. The band has seven albums under its belt, earning the attention of many of bluegrass’s tastemakers, including the Punch Brothers, headed by country mega-star Chris Thile. Meanwhile, the band has found some surprise success abroad, earning two Spellemannprisen, the top musical prize in Norway. The most recent album, “Tightrope,” was released in 2014 on Yep Roc Records. Fittingly titled, it strikes a careful balance between traditional arrangements and fresh approaches to bluegrass. So, whether you’re a seasoned bluegrass fan or a young person interested in some of the genre’s innovators, make sure to head to H*MAC for this exciting show.
LONESOME RIVER BAND, 11/15, 7PM, ABBEY BAR, $26/$30: Lonesome River Band wraps up this month’s slate of folk. This contemporary bluegrass ensemble has been earning accolades since it first formed in 1982. Featuring five-time IMBA Banjo Player of the Year award winner Sammy Shelor, the outfit brings a large helping of virtuosity to this time-honored American musical genre. The band released its most recent record, “Turn on a Dime,”in 2014, which, like all of its previous records, received critical acclaim. The band has jammed with the renowned banjo-playing comedian Steve Martin and has played in some of the music world’s most prestigious venues. Now, Lonesome River Band will be gracing the stage at the Abbey Bar, so don’t miss out on the privilege of seeing one of the nation’s premier bluegrass bands.
Mentionables: Screaming Females w/Potty Mouth, 11/1, H*MAC; Richard Shindell, 11/5, H*MAC; Lee Ann Womack, 11/12, Carlisle Theatre; Carly Clark, 11/14, Midtown Scholar; Zach Deputy, 11/18, Abbey Bar; The Machine, 11/25, Whitaker Center
