Musicians & Dancers List

All musicians may not be performing on all festival days. Please check with Customer Service for daily performance schedule.  Schedule is subject to change.

Albannach

Jamesie, Donnie, Jacquie, Aya, Colin 

Albannach is Scots-Gaelic for "Scottish" or "Scotsman".  That is exactly who they are.  Albannach are all born and bred in Scotland and they band's purpose is to share their intriguing culture, history, and heritage with audiences by means of their music. Their style is exciting, energetic and they have their audiences dancing in the aisles.  www.albannachmusic.com                   Performing Otober 20th & 21st.  

 Thank you to Albannach's co-sponsor, Staybridge Suites, BWI. 

Bayfield Brass

Dan Brandt,  Ashley Bond, Christine Carey, April Curnow, Laura Denz, Bruce Hampton, Stan Hopkins, Beth Hopper - director, Buckley Hopper, Katherine Lee,  Harry Olson, Lynn Reggia
Camerata Musica is an energetic a capella madrigals troupe, performing in myriad languages and styles from sacred to silly and from medieval chants to love ballads.

Performing September 15th, 16th; October 13th & 14th

Joseph Shelby and Cyd Shelby as William Larkin & Cydony Bowman
Fiddle and dancing on the pathways of Revel Grove.  Performing September 8th, 9th, 22nd, 23rd, 29th, 30th: October 13th, 14th, 20th & 21st.

Consort Anon.

Marketa Ebert, Mary Anne Espenshade,  Eric Schwartz, Helen-Jean Talbott

For 30 seasons Consort Anon. has recreated the music of the Medieval and Renaissance periods to help Festival-goers better understand the music that might have surrounded Henry VIII's royal court as well as the peasants.  The Consort, named after that most prolific early music composer Anonymous, was formed in 1979 and played their first Renaissance Festival in the autumn of 1980.  When not in Revel Grove, the Consort performs at schools and church services.
 http://home.earthlink.net/~consort_anon/index.htm

 Performing:  Aug. 25th, 26th; Sept. 15th, 16th, 29th & 30th

Céol Anam Cara

Bob Dougherty, Toni Dougherty, Tom Scanlan, and Dorothy Scanlan

Four musicians with a passion for traditional folk music from Ireland and the British Isles.  Playing mainly dance music, Céol Anam Cara is known for their playing of jousting jigs, rousing reels, pulsating polkas, and haunting sweet airs.  These "soul friends of music" will have your toes tapping with their uplifting tunes.     www.ceolanamcara.com

Performing: Sept. 22nd, 23rd; Oct. 13th, 14th, 20th & 21st

 The Crimson Pirates

Robin Flanagan, Dan O'Driscoll, Ann Alford, Jared Hoffert, Don Kilcoyne, Kelly Kilcoyne, Rick Nestler, and Karen O'Hara.

Prepare to be boarded!  Revel Grove's favorite out-of-town singing pirates sail in from New York.  They bring songs of lost love, spilt beer and cabin boys!  Performing: October 13th & 14th

Cu Dubh

New this season!

Cu Dubh consists of musicians who have dedicated their lives to the study and performance of ancient music. David Macejka (2012 Grammy nominee), Mike McNutt and Elijah Woolcott have brought together their personal influences to creat dark, orginal compositions played on the Great Highland Bagpipes and a barrage of drums from around the world. With influences from Scotland, Gaul, Galicia, Normway, Brittney, Ireland, Wales, German, India, Aradia, Africa and beyond, they call back to the ancient tribes in all of us.

It is music for the warrior in all of us. The long boat is here. The wolves are loose. The Ould Ways are back! PERFORMING:  September 29th to October 21st.

Dileab Phriseil

Dileab Phriseil (Gaelic for "Precious Heritage"), is an ensemble of friends that formed from a church group. Featuring traditional songs of Scotland and Ireland, in English and Gaelic, along with fiddle, whistle, bodhran, and other instruments, Dileab Phriseil endeavours to preserve the bequest for which it is named.    Performing September 29th & 30th; October 20th & 21st. 

Drum Runners

 James Gummer, Abigail Palmer, Steve Wannall

Drum Runners is a dynamic percussion troupe exploring the world of rhythm.  With cool beats from every corner of the globe, we dare you to sit still for this one! 5pm at the Gatehouse Stage.

 Bob Esty - harp, voice, pennywhistle. Sue Esty- harp, voice, bowed psaltry, drum.

Bob and Sue perform Renaissance, Celtic, and folk music on harp, bowed psaltery, drum, voice, and whatever other instrument comes close to hand!  Performing Saturdays, beginning September 8th. 

Begorra Ditty, Celtic Harper

Abigail Palmer, an award-winning Celtic harper, can be heard performing Irish, Scottish, and English music from heart-felt airs to amazingly high speed reels.  She will be performing at Musical Merrymaking, in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and she can also be seen playing djembe in the Drum Runners.

Faith Ditty, Mistress of the Dance

Christa Palmer will delight the young and young at heart leading the maypole and peasant dances and she invites you to join the dance!  Also a prize-winning Irish stepdancer, Christa can be seen amazing audiences dancing to jaunty jigs and fast-paced reels.

Cathy and Bill Palmer, playing fiddle, guitar, and bodhran, will make your toes tap and your heart sing playing merry tunes from Ireland, England, and Scotland

April Curnow, Sharon McKinley, Ellen Waff
The family-friendly vocal trio encourages audience participation, especially by children. Find them in the pathways.

Performing: August 25th, 26th; Sept. 29th & 30th

Greg Freyman
Virtuoso solo guitarist playing a large repertoire spanning many centuries. Versatile enough to play anything from “Bach to Rock”. www.gregfreyman.com

Abby Green,

Irish Medieval Folk Music

Photo: Jim Garrison

Backed by an octive mandlin, Abby's rich soaring vocals in English and Irish Gaelic will get your toes tapping and your body swaying.  www.abbygreen.com   Performing: Aug. 25th to  - Sept. 22nd.

 The Hooligans

 
 Artist rendering of John Kelso (left) and John Dickson Wakefield (right) of The Hooligans

The Hooligans - Revel Grove's party band! They play a variety of music including traditional Irish, Scottish and English folks songs as well as orginal compositions whose main themes include drinking, carousing, and womanizing.  The Hooligans play guitar, hand percussion, wind instruments (Irish penny whistle and ocarina) and even a toy piano.  Add to that terrific four part all-male harmony, a sense of mischief, and comedy - and you've got yourself a rollicking good time! John Dickson Wakefield, John Kelso, Matt O'Reilly, Matt Schleigh.   Performing: September 29th to October 21st.

James Gummer
James has been part of the “soundtrack” of the festival since 1997. Visit him online at www.jamesgummer.com

Key School Consort

Rick Layton, director.

Larksong,
a capella ensemble

Drew Carlson, tenor; Martha Connolly, alto; Andrea DeSanti, soprano; David Pumplin, baritone/bass; James Raistrick, tenor, Janet Simons, soprano

Larksong is a close troupe of six harmonious voices who love the sound and the performance of beautiful a capella music. www.larksongsings.com 

Performing: Sept. 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 29th, 30th; Oct. 20th & 21st

Darcy specializes in traditonal Celtic music played on the magical sounding hammered dulcimer.  www.darcynair.com

Performing: September 22nd, 23rd; October 13th, 14th, 20th & 21st.

North Sea Gas

Ronnie MacDonald , Grant Simpson, and Dave Gilfillan

Special Guests for our Celtic Weekend - September 22nd & 23rd!  Last season North Sea Gas made a rather last minute performance at the Festival for one day only. With little advanced notice, they had wonderful crowds and an amazing response! Patrons were instant fans of this Scottish trio and immediately asked for them to return. So, they are!

Thirty years and stronger than ever!! One of Scotland's most popular folk bands with great vocals and tremendous three part harmonies. Guitars, Mandolin, Fiddle, Bouzouki, Whistles, Bodhrans, Banjo and good humour are all part of the entertainment. They have received Gold and Silver disc awards from the Scottish Music Industry Association and regularly have sell out shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe!!  http://nsg.gplrank.info/

Thank you to our co-sponsor of North Sea Gas' performance - Staybridge Suites BWI.

 Painted Trillium

Kristin Rebecca - voice, harp, guitar; Susan Meyer - hammered dulcimer, Irish whistle; Rob Meyer - octave mandolin, guitar, bodhran.

Painted Trillium is a family-friendly trio performing songs and tunes with an emphasis on Celtic repertoire.  Find them performing on the pathways. See their website atwww.paintedtrillium.com.

Performing:  Sept. 8th - Oct. 21st

Gary Schwartz

Renaissance organ music played at 10am & 6:30pm daily at the Lyric Stage. www.musicbythemaster.com

The Pyrates Royale

 
photo by John Kudlich, Pyrates at MDRF 2010 

Brad Howard, Darcy Nair, Craig Williams, Damon Hersh, Ellie Cattle 

Since 1987, The Pyrates Royale has set the standard for comic singing pirate acts at festivals and events around the country. They play a mix of traditional and modern acoustic maritime music that rocks without being electric, sings without a string section and humors without a laugh track.   www.pyrates.com

The Rambling Sailors 

Greg and Susan Csikos

Both successful soloists, Greg and Susan have joined forces to present a show full of harmonies that please the ear and lift the spirits.  Greg was a founding member of the piratical sextet, The Corsairs before launching his solo career.  Susan has been performing as Rosie Peaseblossom at Renaissance Faires and on Tall Ships since 1992.  www.ramblingsailors.com  

Performing Sept. 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd

Renaissance Revelers,
madrigal ensemble

 Monica Boruch, Karen Cain, Van Corey, David Jackson, Laura Kawa, Margo Lehman,  Michael Pierson, Matt Roberts, Randy Rogers, Rebecca Rogers, Meredith Stewart, Katie Wanschura, Viola Whieldon, Theresa Younger. 

The Renaissance Revelers is an ensemble performing Medieval and Renaissance music from several European nations.  They recently celebrated their 25th anniversary with a concert at St.John's Lutheran Church in Rockville, MD. They have performed at the MD Renaissance Festival since 1987. Other venues include the National Cathedral, White House Christmas celebrations, Walter's Art Museum Brookside Gardens and First Night celebrations in addition to government, corporate and private events.  Performing: Aug. 25th, 26th; Sept. 22nd & 23

The Rogues

For nearly two decades this Celtic Rock Folk Classical group have electrified audiences on two continents.  Their unique multi-instrumental sound crosses the musical landscape and brings audiences to their feet!  www.therogues.com

Don't miss them!
Performing August 25th, 26th; September 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 22d, & 23rd. 

Maggie Sansone
America’s premier hammered dulcimer player and recording artist. Maggie Sansone’s pioneering artistry has brought the ringing beauty of her music to hundreds of thousands of music lovers around the world. Maggie is the recipient of numerous WAMMIE awards from the Washington area Music Association for Irish/Celtic instrumentalist. Maggie’s music has been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered, Performance Today and The Thistle & Shamrock. For bookings, tour schedule, and recording information, visit her website at www.maggiesmusic.com.

Performing all dates EXCEPT:  8/25, 26; Sept. 3, 15 

Seraphim,
women’s quartet

Martha Lawrence, Charlotte Knapp, Phyllis Fong, Kathleen Peery

Seraphim's four graceful ladies sing of life and love in Tudor England. The specialize in dances that evoke the spirit of the times, and offer humorous observations of the Court and its customs. Their songs of merry revels, animals, gypsies and pirates delight both the young and young at heart.  Seraphim also appears in other eras and seasons. Please see www.seraphimquartet.org.

Performing: Sept. 2nd, 8th; October 6th, 13th.

The Singers Madrigale,
madrigals  

Photo credit: Linc Hallen

Donna Dixon Ervin, director; Robin Bibby, Dan Brandt, Perry Brown, Sheri Calvo, Beth Colley, Susan Dargusch, Dani Diehlmann, Claudia Frantz, Val Hymes, Charlotte Kerns, Michelle Kerr, Kathleen Meckley, Kevin Powers, Rhonda Rose, Richard Seabrook, Larry Tom, Sherrie Ugolini, Jill Whitall, Ann Marie Wilkinson

www.singersmadrigale.org

The Singers Madrigale dedicate their performances this season to the memory of William Kerns.

Performing: Sept. 1st 9th; Oct. 6th & 7th 

      Janet Spahr,       
Hang

 Here from Carlisle, Pennsylvannia, Janet Spahr is happy to introduce her unique instrument, called a Hang (pronounced "hong") to new audiences.  People are drawn to its distinct look and tranquil sounds.  Listeners have called her performances mesmerizing, and describe the sounds of the hang as "tranquil, ancient, and spiritual".  You can hear her CDs on iTunes and CD Baby if you search her by name.  View videos of her performances on her website, www.spahrstudios.com  Performing in the pathways  Sept. 1st, 2nd, 3td, 15th, 16th; Oct. 13th & 14th.

Darcy Nair, Ellen Cattle, Edie MacKay

This talented trio brings the lady's point of view on the mythical and marvelous alike.  Whether Celtic or seafaring, ancient or modern, vocal or instrumental, The Surly Mermaids will add harmony and spice to your revels. www.surlymermaidsmusic.com

Performing: August 25th to September 9th