Irish-American fiddler extraordinaire Liz Carroll headlines this year’s New World Festival at Chandler on August 31 in Randolph, Vermont. A beloved annual music and dance tradition since 1993, the Festival celebrates its 22nd year with a mix of old favorites and new performers who are appearing at the festival for the first time.
This 11-hour event on Labor Day Sunday, celebrates the region’s Celtic and French Canadian musical traditions brought to northern New England by English, Scottish, Irish and French-Canadian immigrants. It has earned a reputation as one of the finest traditional music events in Vermont. This year’s festival has been designated a Top Ten Summer Event by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. Nearly 75 of the best regional and international musicians play concerts on five all-weather stages, offer workshops, participate in dance bands, and share tunes and traditions at this family-friendly festival.
Born in Chicago of Irish parents, Liz Carroll is a junior and senior All-Ireland Fiddle Champion who has toured as a solo artist and with a long list of notable musicians in the Irish music world. She's featured on ten albums and has appeared on many more. Liz is a recipient of the National Heritage Fellowship Award (1994), and in 2009 she became the first Irish-American musician nominated for a Grammy. She will be joined by world-class dancer Nic Gareiss who has performed with many of the luminaries of traditional music from Ireland, Scotland, and North America. The trio is rounded out by guitarist Jake Charron who accompanies many of the best Canadian fiddlers.
A host of other performers have confirmed to play at the New World Festival this year including the exciting new trio 'Ten Strings and a Goat Skin' and Boston-based Matt and Shannon Heaton .The Heaton's are no strangers to the New World Festival having played at the event on numerous occasions and this year they appear as a duo performing traditional and contemporary Irish music, Irish flute, accordion, guitar and bouzouki.
The New World Festival is geared towards all ages and is family-friendly; an array of creative activities has been organized to keep young festival goers entertained including an instrument petting zoo, a young musicians showcase, and performances by Jon Gailmor and The No Strings Marionette Company.
Discounted advance tickets are available through August 22 online or by calling the Chandler Box Office at 802-728-6464 between 3 and 6 PM weekdays. Tickets are also available at the gate on the day of the festival. Reduced prices are offered after 6 PM. Children 12 and under are free.
For more information, regarding admission and featured performers, please visit the festival’s website at www.NewWorldFestival.com. All performance sites are wheelchair accessible.
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