CHERISH the LADIES (Ireland, USA) the long-running, Grammy-nominated, Irish-American super group that formed in New York City in 1985 to celebrate the rise of women in what had been a male-dominated Irish music scene and has since toured the world, played the White House and the Olympics, recorded 17 outstanding albums.Under the leadership of All-Ireland flute and whistle champion Joanie Madden, named by The Irish Voice Newspaper as one of the Top 25 most influential Irish Americans of the past quarter century, these ladies create an evening that includes a spectacular blend of virtuoso instrumental talents, beautiful vocals, captivating arrangements, and stunning step dancing. Their continued success as one of the top Celtic groups in the world is due to the ensembles ability to take the best of Irish traditional music and dance and put it forth in an immensely entertaining show.

CHERISH the LADIES (Ireland, USA) the long-running, Grammy-nominated, Irish-American super group that formed in New York City in 1985 to celebrate the rise of women in what had been a male-dominated Irish music scene and has since toured the world, played the White House and the Olympics, recorded 17 outstanding albums.Under the leadership of All-Ireland flute and whistle champion Joanie Madden, named by The Irish Voice Newspaper as one of the Top 25 most influential Irish Americans of the past quarter century, these ladies create an evening that includes a spectacular blend of virtuoso instrumental talents, beautiful vocals, captivating arrangements, and stunning step dancing. Their continued success as one of the top Celtic groups in the world is due to the ensembles ability to take the best of Irish traditional music and dance and put it forth in an immensely entertaining show.

MALINKY (Scotland) "One of the great traditional Scottish bands" says Folk World. Continuing on their distinctive mission as contemporary champions of traditional Scots song, Malinky return to launch their 20th Anniversary Album HANDSEL. Their current four-piece line-up, centered on the outstanding voices of Fiona Hunter, Steve Byrne, and Mark Dunlop also features award-winning composer Lewis McLaughlin on fiddle and tenor guitar.

MALINKY (Scotland) "One of the great traditional Scottish bands" says Folk World. Continuing on their distinctive mission as contemporary champions of traditional Scots song, Malinky return to launch their 20th Anniversary Album HANDSEL. Their current four-piece line-up, centered on the outstanding voices of Fiona Hunter, Steve Byrne, and Mark Dunlop also features award-winning composer Lewis McLaughlin on fiddle and tenor guitar.

KRUGER BROTHERS (USA) In their ever-expanding body of work – Jens Kruger (banjo and vocals), Uwe Kruger (guitar and lead vocals), and Joel Landsberg (bass and vocals) – The Kruger Brothers personify the spirit of exploration and innovation that forms the core of the American musical tradition. Their original music is crafted around their discerning taste, and the result is unpretentious, cultivated, and delightfully fresh. Born and raised in Europe, brothers Jens and Uwe Kruger started singing and playing instruments at a very young age. Growing up in a family where music was an important part of life, they were exposed to a wide diversity of musical influences. The brothers were performing regularly by the time they were eleven and twelve years old, and they began their professional career in 1979. Jens’ and Uwe’s first public performances were as a duo. Several years later, the brothers teamed up with bass player Joel Landsberg, a native of New York City who also had a very extensive musical upbringing in classical and jazz music (studying with jazz great Milt Hinton), thus forming a trio that has been playing professionally together since 1995.

KRUGER BROTHERS (USA) In their ever-expanding body of work – Jens Kruger (banjo and vocals), Uwe Kruger (guitar and lead vocals), and Joel Landsberg (bass and vocals) – The Kruger Brothers personify the spirit of exploration and innovation that forms the core of the American musical tradition. Their original music is crafted around their discerning taste, and the result is unpretentious, cultivated, and delightfully fresh. Born and raised in Europe, brothers Jens and Uwe Kruger started singing and playing instruments at a very young age. Growing up in a family where music was an important part of life, they were exposed to a wide diversity of musical influences. The brothers were performing regularly by the time they were eleven and twelve years old, and they began their professional career in 1979. Jens’ and Uwe’s first public performances were as a duo. Several years later, the brothers teamed up with bass player Joel Landsberg, a native of New York City who also had a very extensive musical upbringing in classical and jazz music (studying with jazz great Milt Hinton), thus forming a trio that has been playing professionally together since 1995.

RUNA (USA, Ireland, Canada) “Best of all, RUNA sounds like no one else!” – Travis Rogers, Jr., Music Life & Times Quickly gaining recognition as one of Irish music’s new “super-groups,” RUNA has been en- chanting audiences by pushing the boundaries of Irish folk music into the Americana and roots music formats since their formation in 2008. Interweaving the haunting melodies and exuber- ant tunes of Ireland and Scotland with the lush harmonies and intoxicating rhythms of jazz, bluegrass, flamenco and blues, they offer a thrilling and redefining take on traditional music. The group has been honored internationally, winning Top Group and Top Traditional Group in the Irish Music Awards and four Independent Music Awards including Best Live Album, Best World/Traditional Song and Best Bluegrass Song.

RUNA (USA, Ireland, Canada) “Best of all, RUNA sounds like no one else!” – Travis Rogers, Jr., Music Life & Times Quickly gaining recognition as one of Irish music’s new “super-groups,” RUNA has been en- chanting audiences by pushing the boundaries of Irish folk music into the Americana and roots music formats since their formation in 2008. Interweaving the haunting melodies and exuber- ant tunes of Ireland and Scotland with the lush harmonies and intoxicating rhythms of jazz, bluegrass, flamenco and blues, they offer a thrilling and redefining take on traditional music. The group has been honored internationally, winning Top Group and Top Traditional Group in the Irish Music Awards and four Independent Music Awards including Best Live Album, Best World/Traditional Song and Best Bluegrass Song.

BOURQUE ÉMISSAIRES (Quebec) - Benoit Bourque is a long time member of the group La Bottine Souriante. He is a musician, dancer, singer and caller, he has been a member of different bands with whom he toured extensively in North America and in Europe : Éritage, Ad vielle que pourra, Hommage à Alfred Montmarquette, Bourque et Bernard, Matapat, Le Vent du Nord, are all bands that enjoyed his talents and his exceptional charisma. Specialist of Quebec tradionnal dances, Benoit has presented lectures and workshops in many camps and festivals, showing his skill in step dancing and bones playing (wich is a family tradition: his dad and grandad were both bones players). He now tours with his son, Antoine Pigeon-Bourque Antoine started playing piano at the age of 11 and accordion at the age of 16. He has a degree in music from Université de Montréal where he studied the classical repertoire for piano-accordion. He is a graduate from Collège Saint-Laurent, in Montreal, where he studied tuba and accordion.

BOURQUE ÉMISSAIRES (Quebec) - Benoit Bourque is a long time member of the group La Bottine Souriante. He is a musician, dancer, singer and caller, he has been a member of different bands with whom he toured extensively in North America and in Europe : Éritage, Ad vielle que pourra, Hommage à Alfred Montmarquette, Bourque et Bernard, Matapat, Le Vent du Nord, are all bands that enjoyed his talents and his exceptional charisma. Specialist of Quebec tradionnal dances, Benoit has presented lectures and workshops in many camps and festivals, showing his skill in step dancing and bones playing (wich is a family tradition: his dad and grandad were both bones players). He now tours with his son, Antoine Pigeon-Bourque Antoine started playing piano at the age of 11 and accordion at the age of 16. He has a degree in music from Université de Montréal where he studied the classical repertoire for piano-accordion. He is a graduate from Collège Saint-Laurent, in Montreal, where he studied tuba and accordion.

SLIDE (Ireland) The band consists of: Daire Bracken on fiddle, Aogán Lynch on concertina, Éamonn de Barra on flute, whistles, piano, bodhran, Dave Curley on vocals and guitar and Mick Broderick on bazouki. , The Irish Times calls SLIDE “traditional musicians with attitude" and credits the group with “bringing drawing room grandeur and high spirits together” with it’s diverse songs, which range from soulful and sorrowful to contagiously energetic. Folk Roots Magazine proclaims, ”There’s plenty of action and flamboyance in Slides’s music,” which merges “swagger with traditional expertise.” This rollicking band’s origins date back to Ireland in 1999, when Slide performed in various pubs for a local music festival in Bandon, Co. Cork. The group’s intoxicating music easily won over the crowd, which demanded more of the unique and colourful sound

SLIDE (Ireland) The band consists of: Daire Bracken on fiddle, Aogán Lynch on concertina, Éamonn de Barra on flute, whistles, piano, bodhran, Dave Curley on vocals and guitar and Mick Broderick on bazouki. , The Irish Times calls SLIDE “traditional musicians with attitude" and credits the group with “bringing drawing room grandeur and high spirits together” with it’s diverse songs, which range from soulful and sorrowful to contagiously energetic. Folk Roots Magazine proclaims, ”There’s plenty of action and flamboyance in Slides’s music,” which merges “swagger with traditional expertise.” This rollicking band’s origins date back to Ireland in 1999, when Slide performed in various pubs for a local music festival in Bandon, Co. Cork. The group’s intoxicating music easily won over the crowd, which demanded more of the unique and colourful sound

ARIKO - (Ontario) Whether at a festival or in a kitchen, the party ignites when Ariko takes the stage. Homegrown in Tiny, Ontario, Ariko features the rich vocal harmonies and dynamic fiddle stylings of the Lefaive sisters along with a driving and energetic rhythm section delivered by their parents Laura and Louis.original repertoire of their album Portrait de famille, unique arrangements of traditional French-Canadian songs, traditional fiddle tunes and stepdance! Ariko’s performances engage audiences of all ages with interactive rhythm, song and dance activities. Rooted in traditional music, their dynamic repertoire is coloured by zydeco, jazz and popular genres. Let yourself be recharged by the positive energy of this family group!

ARIKO - (Ontario) Whether at a festival or in a kitchen, the party ignites when Ariko takes the stage. Homegrown in Tiny, Ontario, Ariko features the rich vocal harmonies and dynamic fiddle stylings of the Lefaive sisters along with a driving and energetic rhythm section delivered by their parents Laura and Louis.original repertoire of their album Portrait de famille, unique arrangements of traditional French-Canadian songs, traditional fiddle tunes and stepdance! Ariko’s performances engage audiences of all ages with interactive rhythm, song and dance activities. Rooted in traditional music, their dynamic repertoire is coloured by zydeco, jazz and popular genres. Let yourself be recharged by the positive energy of this family group!

BRIAN Ó HEADHRA | FIONA MACKENZIE (Scotland) Brian was just nominated for top male vocal in all of Scotland.Brian Ó hEadhra | Fiona Mackenzie are acclaimed singer songwriters who draw upon their traditional Gaelic roots as well as from other musical genres including Nordic, Eastern European, Americana, indie and electronica. Their live sound has been described as "ethereal and evocative" with layered harmonies, innovative interpretation of ancient Gaelic texts and songs as well newly written material,.

BRIAN Ó HEADHRA | FIONA MACKENZIE (Scotland) Brian was just nominated for top male vocal in all of Scotland.Brian Ó hEadhra | Fiona Mackenzie are acclaimed singer songwriters who draw upon their traditional Gaelic roots as well as from other musical genres including Nordic, Eastern European, Americana, indie and electronica. Their live sound has been described as "ethereal and evocative" with layered harmonies, innovative interpretation of ancient Gaelic texts and songs as well newly written material,.

NORTH ATLANTIC DRIFT - (Ontario, Ireland) is the water current that runs between the East coast of Canada and the West coast of Europe and Ireland. The music of North Atlantic Drift reflects this, following a centuries-long tradition of the trading of music and musical styles between Ireland, Scotland and the East coast of Canada. Brian Taheny from Sligo, Ireland, Dan MacDonald from Cape Breton Island and Ross Griffiths from the Ontario piping tradition form this particular trading triangle and the product is a multi-instrumental, multi-styled celtic sound that is truly Canadian in its diversity.

NORTH ATLANTIC DRIFT - (Ontario, Ireland) is the water current that runs between the East coast of Canada and the West coast of Europe and Ireland. The music of North Atlantic Drift reflects this, following a centuries-long tradition of the trading of music and musical styles between Ireland, Scotland and the East coast of Canada. Brian Taheny from Sligo, Ireland, Dan MacDonald from Cape Breton Island and Ross Griffiths from the Ontario piping tradition form this particular trading triangle and the product is a multi-instrumental, multi-styled celtic sound that is truly Canadian in its diversity.

ONE FOR THE FOXES (IRELAND, USA) The group is made up of Dublin’s Tadhg Ó Meachair (Goitse), Galway’s Dave Curley (SLIDE) and Denver, Colorado’s Joanna Hyde (The Hydes), and features a mix of Irish and American folk music and song – both traditional and newly-composed – presented in an energetic and engaging manner. Their performances strike a tasteful balance between the stories found in ballads across both sides of the Atlantic and the respective instrumental music traditions of these places. Award-winning instrumentalists each in their own right, Dave, Tadhg & Joanna take a unique twist on the diverse strengths of their individual backgrounds, weaving between traditional melodies, their own compositions, and songs from the broader folk canon. The results are highly personalised and thrilling in their daring and forthright grasp of the material.

ONE FOR THE FOXES (IRELAND, USA) The group is made up of Dublin’s Tadhg Ó Meachair (Goitse), Galway’s Dave Curley (SLIDE) and Denver, Colorado’s Joanna Hyde (The Hydes), and features a mix of Irish and American folk music and song – both traditional and newly-composed – presented in an energetic and engaging manner. Their performances strike a tasteful balance between the stories found in ballads across both sides of the Atlantic and the respective instrumental music traditions of these places. Award-winning instrumentalists each in their own right, Dave, Tadhg & Joanna take a unique twist on the diverse strengths of their individual backgrounds, weaving between traditional melodies, their own compositions, and songs from the broader folk canon. The results are highly personalised and thrilling in their daring and forthright grasp of the material.

CONNLA (Ireland) Hailing from the cities of Armagh and Derry, Ciara McCafferty (vocals), Ciaran Carlin (Flute/Whistles) and Paul Starrett (Guitar) Emer Mallon (Harp) and Conor Mallon (Uilleann Pipes/Whistles). Labelled as the Hottest New Group out of Northern Ireland, (Chicago Irish American News) Connla have been quickly making an impact on the folk/traditional scene. Since the release of their EP in April 2015, and album “River Waiting” in July 2016 they have received fantastic reviews at home and internationally. Songlines magazine made Connla their “must see act” for the tour of the UK and stated “A band this young shouldn’t be this good”. Their sensitive and innovative arrangements of traditional and modern folk songs and tunes, have helped them create a sound which is very identifiable as Connla.

CONNLA (Ireland) Hailing from the cities of Armagh and Derry, Ciara McCafferty (vocals), Ciaran Carlin (Flute/Whistles) and Paul Starrett (Guitar) Emer Mallon (Harp) and Conor Mallon (Uilleann Pipes/Whistles). Labelled as the Hottest New Group out of Northern Ireland, (Chicago Irish American News) Connla have been quickly making an impact on the folk/traditional scene. Since the release of their EP in April 2015, and album “River Waiting” in July 2016 they have received fantastic reviews at home and internationally. Songlines magazine made Connla their “must see act” for the tour of the UK and stated “A band this young shouldn’t be this good”. Their sensitive and innovative arrangements of traditional and modern folk songs and tunes, have helped them create a sound which is very identifiable as Connla.