AlgomaTrad summer shows to feature trio of Canadian groups

The AlgomaTrad Summer 2024 Concert Series at the AlgomaTrad Centre Pavilion, 1249 F&G Line, St. Joseph Island, an intimate and gorgeous timber frame outdoor concert venue, will feature three groups of some of Canada’s finest traditional and folk musicians and stepdancers, the organization says.

They include Acadian family band La Famille LeBlanc on July 11, master bluegrass musicians Christopher Henry & Shane Cook with Darrin Schott and James McEleney on July 18, and the dynamic multi-instrumentalist Medusa Quartet on Aug. 8, AlgomaTrad said in a news release.

La Famille LeBlanc – Thursday, July 11, 7:30 p.m. - An Acadian family band featuring multi-instrumentalists and step-dancing sisters, “La Famille LeBlanc” hails from the heart of the Baie des Chaleurs in New Brunswick. Through their music, the family will take you from Poitou, France, where the Acadians originated as they arrived as refugees in the mid-18th century on the East Coast of what would become Canada , then on to Louisiana, where displaced Acadiens became Cajuns, and back to the East Coast for a true Acadian kitchen party. This family plays a variety of 19th-century tunes deeply rooted in Celtic and Acadian traditions. The group is made up of three sisters playing concertina, whistle and fiddle. Their mother sings some of the oldest Acadian songs and ballads known, and their father accompanies everyone with his combination of baroque, jazz and traditional piano arrangements.

Christopher Henry & Shane Cook with Darrin Schott & James McEleney – Thursday, July 18, 7:30 p.m. - Christopher Henry was immersed in music from birth and began playing the mandolin at age four. Now an award-winning musician and teacher who has appeared on stage with Billy Strings and Peter Rowan, Christopher, who teaches entirely by ear having learned that way himself, strives to preserve the social and creative elements of music-making. He will be joined in concert by: Canadian and US National Fiddle Champion Shane Cook; multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter Darrin Schott; as well as multi-genre bass player James McEleney. This assortment of musical masters will unite forces to produce a delightful evening of tunes and songs!

Medusa Quartet – Thursday, Aug. 8, 7:30 p.m. - Wielding a sound that would turn classical music scholars to stone, Saskia Tomkins, Marta Solek, Lea Kirstein and Georgia Hathaway are reimagining the Western string quartet. With their Canadian Folk Music Award (CFMA) Nominated debut album, Medusa’s dynamic arrangement style cross-pollinates the sounds of Middle Eastern, Scandinavian, Celtic, Appalachian, and Eastern European music, as well as original tunes, to create something previously unheard.

Standard series ticket prices (+HST) are $90 General Admission, $75 Seniors, $60 Students, and $15 Children 10 & under. Tickets for the entire series of three concerts are now on sale at a 10% discount until July 1. Tickets for individual concerts are $30 General Admission ($35 at the door), $25 Seniors ($30 at the door), $20 Students ($25 at the door) and $5 Children 10 & under (+HST). Tickets and more information can be found at algomatrad.ca

AlgomaTrad is a charitable arts organization that said it is dedicated to "enriching lives and building joyful community through the celebration and sharing of traditional music, dance, art and heritage craft".

"Since 2004, the annual AlgomaTrad Family Camp has been bringing people to St. Joseph Island from across Canada, the U.S. and beyond, and the organization’s concerts, dances, and workshop programs have benefitted thousands of participants from the local region.

"AlgomaTrad is building on 20 years of experience to develop the AlgomaTrad Centre, which will be a welcoming community space with programming and events for people of diverse ages, cultures, abilities, and interests."