Eric McDonald and Alasdair White, members of the band Cantrip and exceptional interpreters of traditional Scottish music, are stopping at our house in East Montpelier on Saturday! They're on their first tour as a duo, playing ballads and tunes with Eric's voice and Alasdair's fiddle dancing back and forth in conversation while Eric's guitar delivers a gentle foundation.

Music will start at 7:00 pm. People are welcome to come early to potluck (from 5:30 on) or to bring desserts for the break, or just come for the concert. Suggested donation to the musicians is $20. Kids are welcome--you can throw something in the basket on their behalf if you want. Reservations are strongly encouraged. For more information, directions, or to reserve your space, email me or call 802-522-3083.

Alasdair, widely regarded as one of the foremost Scottish fiddler players of his generation, was born and brought up on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. He is perhaps best known as having been a member of Scotland's seminal Battlefield Band for over 16 years. Now living in New York, Alasdair has performed and recorded as a guest with many of the best-known names in Scottish, Irish and Breton traditional music including Kathleen MacInnis, Julie Fowlis, Eddie Reader, Allan MacDonald, Manus Lunny, Nuala Kennedy, and Arnaud Ciapolino. Current ongoing projects include Daimh, Cantrip and Loudweather.

Eric was born and raised in Boston, MA and has been a professional performer and instructor of traditional and acoustic music for fifteen years. He spent his youth playing for contra dances. Post college, he took a deep dive into various segments of Irish, Scottish and Cape Breton traditions. Known for his quick ear and tasteful approach, he is now much in demand as a DADGAD guitar accompanist and singer of traditional ballads. He has performed and recorded with well-known traditional artists such as Chris Norman, Wendy MacIsaac, Andrea Beaton, Katie McNally, Will Woodson, The Outside Track and The McDades. Other current projects include Kalos and Bellwether.

Jul 5, 2024, 7 to 9 PM

Jul 6, 2024, 8 AM to 4 PM

Jul 8, 2024, 6 to 7 PM