2024 Musicians & Dancers

The Adventurers

Join The Adventurers for sea shanties and other piratical songs at the Pub Sing each day at 6pm at the White Hart.

The Adventurers are Matthew Crawford, Alexander Kafarakis, Reed Sigmon.

Photo by Chris Lang

Ballet Theatre of Maryland

Ballet Theatre of Maryland will open its season with at a special performance of The Little Slippers on Labor Day weekend.

In Russian and Ukrainian literature, Nikolai Gogol holds an equivalent place as Edgar Allen Poe, specializing in the romantic gothic horror genre; however, unlike Poe, the macabre elements are undercut by elements of humor. Gogol’s writing served as the subject for a variety of musical compositions; in this ballet, we are using Tchaikovsky’s music to present a one act version of “Черевички” or The Little Slippers. Vakula, the blacksmith, loves the prettiest girl in the village, Oksana, but she demands better quality shoes if their courtship should go any further. Vakula falls into despair and stumbles upon a witches’ sabbath happening in the forest. He tussles with the devil (in the form of a large black cat) and ends up landing in St. Petersburg. While in St. Petersburg, Vakula asks Catherine the Great for a pair of slippers and the bemused Tsarina fulfills his request. Vakula goes back to Oksana who greets him with an open heart; she wants him, not the slippers. At the Globe 10:30am! www.balletmaryland.org

The Bards

The Bards are are a three piece folk rock based in Annapolis Maryland that specializes in original songs inspired by Celtic music and fantasy stories. John Bachkosky and Kevin Strasser grew up in Severna Park, Maryland, where they met and worked together on a few musical projects, including their first band, DeD Walrus, and Severna Park High School's Rock N Roll Revival. The two then met Greg Mazur during their time at the University of Maryland. After graduating, The Bards were born. In November 2021, The Bards released their self-titled first album, The Bards, which features orchestral elements and strong three-part harmonies in addition to their signature progressive folk rock style. Along with their growing list of original material, The Bards play a wide range of rock covers and Irish folk tunes. Performing: 9/21,22; 10/19,20.

https://www.thebardsband.com/

The Bard and the Bird

NEW this season!

The Bard and the Bird is a two-piece musical outfit playing Irish Country and folk songs. Combining melodic harmonies with a pleasant taste of Southern charm, these two will enter your heart with their energetic and engaging sounds. 9/21,22.

https://thebardandthebird.com/

Bard City

Bard City is a band "FOR BARDS, BY BARDS" singing comical originals about the life and
adventures of everyone's favorite bards! Using inspiration from fantasy games the band
entertains and enchants their listeners. From monsters, to mayhem, to stacks of gold, there is
not a fantasy stone left unturned by these boisterous bards. With a focus on high energy and
audience interactive songs, they have wooed crowds across the DMV area. The band consists of
talented musicians rocking guitar, tin whistle, kobza, and accordion. From simple songs about the
lives of humble fishermen to songs that change with the roll of a die, Bard City brings the energy
like no other band before. 8/31 - 9/8 at the Boars Head Tavern.
https://linktr.ee/bardcityband

Bardwin the Bard

New this season! Chris Baldwin joins the festival as Bardwin the Bard. He will be performing solo and also as part of the Revel Grove Music Ensemble. Chris is currently living in Maryland, but is a native of Peachtree City, Georgia with 22 years’ experience performing around the United States and Asia. He has played a multitude of live shows, getting his start in Atlanta Georgia, then playing everywhere from Texas, Maryland, South Dakota, to California, Hawaii, and South Korea.

Bardy Pardy

NEW this season!
Traditional folk music, comedy, and stories told through song - all wrapped in beautiful 3-part harmony! The singing peasants of Bardy Pardy are sure to delight! Performing 8/24 - 9/8 at the Gatehouse stage.
www.bardypardy.com

Barleyjuice Trio

Barleyjuice Trio brings all the punch & excitement of Barleyjuice without the volume.. Frontmen/songsmiths Kyf Brewer and Keith Swanny Swanson lithely deliver the favorite songs that put them on the Celtic music map, and fiddler Johnny Benson compliments each number perfectly. The best time you can have without removing your kilt! Special guests for Celtic Celebration weekend, 9/21,22 at the White Hart Tavern.
https://www.ryfrecords.com/barleyjuice-2

Bayfield Brass

Anthony Valerio, director. Fantastic brass music masterly played. Performing Sundays 9/15 - 10/20. www.bayfieldbrass.com

Benison Bardwell

Benison Bardwell, poet and balladeer, entertains with romantic songs of the Renaissance and creates custom-crafted quatrains for lovers and friends. Performing 9/7,8 & 10/5,6.

Bodhrán Basics with Mara

Come learn about the Traditional Irish Hand Drum, the Bodhrán, with Irish cailín, Mara. Basic introduction on how to play, as well as providing guests with something to practice on for the lesson. For adults and children ages 10+. Once daily at the Cottage Stage from 9/21 - 10/20. Please note: lesson is weather permitting and will be cancelled in case of rain.

Bone & String

Bone & String is a young, Calvert-based band. The band provides audiences with a glimpse into history with traditional music and songs of the sea, interspersed with banter and stories. 8/31; 9/1,2,14,15 at the pubs!
https://www.boneandstring.com/

Bordó Sárkány

NEW this season!

Welcome Bordó Sárkány (Burgundy Dragon) to Revel Grove this year!

This will be the first time the Hungarian band will perform in the United States. They combine Hungarian and European medieval songs with their own creative and dynamic style. 9/28,29 & 10/5,6

https://bordosarkany.hu/en/

Viola Brambles - fiddler

Donna Elanor as Viola Brambles, fiddler
Photo by Lenny Francioni

Multi-instrumentalist, composer, and singer-songwriter Donna Elanor has been performing in bands, small ensembles, theatrical productions, and as a soloist in the Baltimore-Washington area since 2008.

Winner of the 2022 Deer Creek Fiddlers' Convention Vocal Competition, she has performed at Renaissance, Celtic, and Folk festivals throughout Maryland and Virginia, including the Washington Folk Festival and the Maryland Renaissance Festival.

A folk violinist and singer trained in Classical, Irish, and Scottish styles, she also plays bouzouki, mandolin, ukulele, guitar, and viola. As Viola Brambles, Donna draws from her traditional and original repertoire to present enchanting, danceable tunes to keep you spellbound.

https://donnaelanor.com/

Camerata Musica

An energetic acapella madrigal troupe performing in a myriad of languages and styles. Performing 9/14,15 & 10/12,13.
Beth Hopper, director.

The Captain's Beard

The Captain’s Beard are a pirate folk rock group from Brighton U.K. (the drinking town with a fishing problem.) Their tunes are a potent mix of the Pogues meet Tenacious D. Expect songs about beards and inappropriate mermaids. They also perform traditional sea shanties and Celtic music with tight harmony singing.

They are famous for their relentless live energy. They play at least a hundred gigs every year and pour everything they have into every performance like a bunch of crazy whales.

Their third album “Cannonballs Deep” is set for release in April 2024 and they’re embarking on a tour from Scotland to German and from the Netherlands to America. Performing 9/14 - 9/22.

BEARD!

https://www.thecaptainsbeard.co.uk/

Jonathan+Vocke+and+Sarah+Collins+by+Rick+Barnwell

Sarah Collins & Jonathan Vocke

New!
Rooted in a steady groove and steeped in tradition, this duo brings a deep sense of musicality to anything they decide to perform.

Sarah Collins was raised in Massachusetts as a part of the Scottish and Irish fiddle communities. She is a regular host of Irish sessions in DC and Baltimore and recently won an audition for the Strathmore Artist in Residence program, class of 2024.

Jonathan Vocke was raised in Maryland and has been part of the old-time music scene for over 15 years. He is a multi-instrumentalist focused on strings
and the voice. In early 2022 he released his solo album Spotted Pony. Later in 2022 he won a Maryland State Arts Council Apprenticeship grant to study voice with award-winning singer Dede Wyland. He plays and sings regularly for community dances and performs with Baltimore-based-band Geraldine in
addition to hosting local jams and sessions.

As a duo, Jonathan and Sarah have sculpted a sound based in Sarah’s minimalist approach to her deep Irish and Scottish fiddle repertoire and
Jonathan’s unique and complementary backing style on the guitar and banjo. Their music ebbs and flows organically and strives for a sense of joyful
excitement, groundedness, and emotion. With finely honed instrumentals and songs, they have become known as a dynamic musical group with notable
appearances at the Boston Celtic Music Festival in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Performing 8/24,25 at Boar's Head Tavern.

https://www.sarahcollinsfiddle.com/

Sarah Collins Jonathan Vocke and David McKindley-Ward (002)

Sarah Collins, Jonathan Vocke & David McKindley-Ward

NEW!

As a Trio, Sarah, Jonathan and David have sculpted a sound based in Sarah’s minimalist approach to her deep Irish and Scottish fiddle repertoire, Jonathan's unique and complementary backing style on the guitar and banjo, and David's soulful collection of traditional ballads and driving tenor banjo and irish bouzouki. Their music ebbs and flows organically and strives for a sense of joyful excitement, groundedness, and emotion. With finely honed instrumentals and songs, each member brings a sense of depth and experience with notable performances at the Boston Celtic Music Festival, The Baltimore Tradfest, and the Baltimore Banjo Summit. Performing 9/28,29 at the White Hart Pub; 10/12,13 at the Boar's Head Pub

https://davidmckindley-ward.com/

Vince Conaway

Vince Conaway shares the secrets of early music and his own contemporary journey to its source. Weaving storytelling and melodies, Vince and his hammered dulcimer bring history to life. This year performing the full season!

http://www.vinceconaway.com/

Consort Anon

Talia Chicherio, Mary Anne Espenshade, Rachel Isaacson, Eric Schwartz, Helen-Jean Talbott. In playing music from the royal courts, towns, and taverns of England and Europe, Consort Anon hopes to provide a Renaissance and medieval musical experience for visitors which would have been familiar to Henry VIII and his courtiers. Members of Consort Anon play recorders, hurdy-gurdy, percussion, guitar, and we just may break into song.
When outside of Revel Grove, Consort Anon works with schools, churches, and art organizations in the Baltimore-Washington corridor. In addition to the Early Music compositions that we perform at the Festival, our repertoire includes Early American music and even a few 21st century pieces. Performing 9/21,22.

To contact us, please send an email to osbert16@yahoo.com

The Crimson Pirates

Ahoy there!... The Crimson Pirates will sail to the Maryland Renaissance Festival on 9/14,15 & 10/19,20! An acoustic folk band specializing in Celtic and sea shanty repertoire, join them as they sing of lost ships, lost love and spilt beer! Featuring Ann Alford, Robin Flanagan, Chris Leidenfrost and Dan O'Driscoll. Visit us www.crimsonpirates.com

Erika the Harpist

Erika has worked as a musician and composer for over twenty years. Her experience as a solo harpist, a member of various ensembles and folk bands, and her graduate studies in Film Scoring and Music Technology at New York University give her a diverse and rich musical background. Erika has worked as a music director for various theatre companies and festivals in NY and NJ, and is a seasoned renaissance faire and folk festival performer. She also performs at weddings and private events. Erika can play a variety of musical styles, but specializes in Celtic folk music, renaissance and early music, and film and video game scores. Erika's original compositions pull from all those styles, along with her own unique touch that has been described as "otherworldly." Performing 8/31; 9/1,2,28,29. https://www.erikatheharpist.com/

The Freestylers of Piping

Inspired by the progressive rock bands and jazz musicians of the 60s and 70s. The Freestylers of Piping aim to create music that reflects these influences with the use of The Great Highland Bagpipe, Percussion, and Bass. Consisting of long time Renaissance faire performers Elijah Woolcott and Michael Huebner along with Armando Wood, The Freestylers of Piping are extremely excited to be able to add to the broad musical palette that is Revel Grove. Performing 9/21- 10/20 at the Lyric Stage & Boars Head Tavern.

http://www.thefreestylersofpiping.com/

The Hooligans

A staple at the Maryland Renaissance Festival over the past two decades, The Hooligans are an Irish band with a heavy emphasis on the "-ish". Known as much for their shenanigans and tomfoolery as they are for their tight harmonies and fast tempos, The Hooligans bring a very nontraditional feel to traditional Irish folk music, creating a show that makes you feel like you're partying with four of your closest friends.

Find them in Revel Grove all weekends except 9/21,22 at the White Hart and Boar's Head Tavern! http://hooligansmusic.bandcamp.com/

James of Perry Hall, drummer & percussionist

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

Jammer Clan

The Jammer Clan is a collective of talented musicians who play for the Acting Company dances, period plays, stage shows, and Pub Sing. Individually and in small groups they perform their own sets in the pubs and on the stages in the village.

Photo, left to right: Edie MacKay, Ayal Yariv, Vince Conaway, Marie Sullivan, Chris Baldwin, Ellie Cattle, Donna Korn, James Gummer, and Steve Wannall.

View More: http://flutterbylenae.pass.us/wanderingbard

Brandon Kennedy

Brandon Kennedy plays Irish fiddle, acoustic guitar and sings. He has a degree in Songwriting and Production from Berklee College of Music and travels to Ireland yearly to bring back authentic music from throughout the country. He has played many pubs and sessions both in the Emerald Isle and the U.S.
Brandon will perform on 8/31, 9/1,2

https://www.thewanderingbard.co/

Kristin Rebecca

Kristin's beautiful harp playing is matched by her angelic voice. You can hear her on the pathways of Revel Grove performing music that ranges from dance worthy jigs and reels to haunting ballads www.kristinrebecca.com.

Lady Prudence, the Court Composer

Lady Prudence has been a staple of Faires around the country (and abroad!) since 2011. The Court Composer charms and delights patrons of all ages with Songs for All Occasions, featuring harp, guitar, whistle, and voice. With a musical repertoire ranging from sprightly to solemn, silly, sacred, and sassy, Lady Prudence is an excellent hostess of joy and revelry, and is always ready with a song. Performing: 9/21,22,28,29.

https://ladyprudence.bandcamp.com/

The Langer's Ball

The Langer’s Ball, the two-piece Irish Folk-punk band, has been writing, touring and performing for over a 15 years. Playing their own brand of traditional drinking songs and original material, their sound is harder-hitting and bigger than you’d expect it ever could be. With a thumping beat and a flurry of notes and harmonies, you’ll dash to refill your drink and cheer for more. Performing 9/14 - 10/20.

www.thelangersball.com

Larksong

Larksong, a band of seven singers specializing in a cappella (unaccompanied) music, was created in 1994. Larksong performs madrigals of the 15-16th Centuries and music from other periods for special occasions, holidays and other major events. Performing 9/28,29 & 10/19,20.
https://www.larksongsings.com/

MadWitch

Haunting, high-energy tunes with lush two-fiddle harmony and a rocking rhythm section, Madwitch draws on Irish, Scottish, Scandinavian, and Eastern European traditions to present a blend of new and old music. Performing at Gatehouse Stage & White Hart Tavern.

MadWitch is Ellie Cattle, James Gummer, Donna Korn, and Edie MacKay.

Mistral the Minstrel

Ayal Yariv, also known as Mistral the Minstrel, is an ideological multi-instrumentalist. Playing recorders and piano was his first jump into so many other music worlds and styles. At the festival, both in the lanes and on stage, you will find Ayal playing a variety of recorders and crumhorns, as well as the penny whistle, portative organ, pipe and tabor, and guitar. If you ask him nicely, he might even sing and dance.

The O'Danny Girls

They are back! Join Daisy, Ginger and Earl for a musical intervention at 11:30am on the Globe.
Rated PG.

https://www.facebook.com/odannygirls

Daisy O'Danny - swipe right?

We only hurt the ones we love, and Daisy O'Danny REALLY LOVES a lot of popular renaissance festival songs.

Join her once a day to sing along and explore where the line of clever euphemism meets desperate pleas for validation.
Make sure to find her on Facebook and Instagram if you want to learn lyrics and harmonies ahead of attending.
https://www.facebook.com/daisy.odanny

The louder you sing, the better she sounds! It's a date with Daisy daily at the Gatehouse Stage at 4:45pm!

Rated PG-13. Parents, this not suitable for kids & tweens who understand euphemism, innuendo, and dating desperation. Unless you enjoy an uncomfortable ride home.

Painted Trillium

Kristin Rebecca - voice, harp, guitar; Susan Meyer - hammered dulcimer, Irish whistle; Rob Meyer - octave mandolin, guitar, bodhran. Painted Trillium performs traditional Celtic songs and tunes plus a few surprises. Find them on the pathways of Revel Grove. www.paintedtrillium.com.

The Pilgrims of Deep Run

The Pilgrims of Deep Run are a Baltimore-based Irish Trad group. Covering dance tunes and pub songs, the Pilgrims give a high energy show with modern arrangements and an emphasis on audience involvement. Members switch between singing, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, banjo, bodhrán, bones, bouzouki, and tin whistle, giving each tune its own unique character. Whether for festivals, weddings, private events, or a festive night in a pub, Pilgrims of Deep Run will get your toes tapping, and hands clapping. Performing at the pubs 8/24,25; 9/7,8.

https://www.thepilgrimsofdeeprun.com

Piper Jones

Piper Jones (EJ Jones), is an award-winning piper and teacher at piping workshops across the USA. Piper Jones plays the best tunes of the past 700 years on both Highland and Renaissance bagpipes, with friends on percussion and bouzouki, creating a beautifully tuneful, danceable show. At the Market Stage and the quickly-becoming-legendary end of day set at 6:15pm at Boars Head Tavern.
www.piperjones.com

Poehemia

Poehemia has been shaped by the hard rocking traditions of Baltimore and the thriving music scene in Glasgow. Since 2012 Poehemia has performed hundreds of high-energy electric and acoustic shows throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. At the Festival Poehemia will perform their traditional Celtic repertoire. Performing 8/24,25; 9/7,8,21,22; 10/19,20 at the White Hart & Boar's Head Taverns.

http://www.poehemia.com/

Pub Sing

Join host Nell Quickly (Stephanie Ichniowski), Mayor Richard Mondes (Cory Jones) along with the other talented singers and musicians in Revel Grove for an old fashioned Pub Sing! The audience is encouraged to sing along! 6pm at White Hart Tavern. Rated PG

Renaissance Revelers

The Renaissance Revelers madrigal ensemble performs medieval and renaissance music in the greater Washington DC metro area. The ensemble has performed at the Maryland Renaissance Festival annually since 1987. Performing 9/21,22; 10/5,6.

https://therenaissancerevelers.bandcamp.com/music

The Rogues

Founded in Houston in 1994, The Rogues created a new genre of Celtic music with exceptionally well-played pipes and driving percussion and have become award-winning international artists. From Scottish Highland games to performing with a symphony orchestra, The Rogues deliver a commanding performance. Don't miss them on Celtic Celebration weekend, 9/21,22 at Blackfriar's Theatre & Boars Head Tavern.

https://www.facebook.com/therogues.us

Sage O'Silver - Pirate Fiddler

Sage O'Silver (Sage Snider) is a singer-songwriter, fiddler, flatfooter, and playwright. She’s pirated with Nashville’s Tom Mason & the Blue Buccaneers, the Crossjacks, and as a soloist at libraries and pirate, Renaissance, Tall Ships, and music festivals across the U.S. Beyond pirating, Sage’s music and history work have been featured by the Smithsonian, The Yale University Art Gallery, the Rhode Island State Council for the Arts, Smugglers’ Notch Resort, and the Brown University Folk Festival (where she won the 2014 Battle of the Bands as a soloist). Sage also served as Director of Cultural Engagement for the nonprofit Braver Angels and continues to advise its music team. Her Braver Angels performances include creating and touring an original solo show, leading in an original theatrical production about the Battle of Gettysburg, and performing with Peter Yarrow and Gangstagrass.

Performance dates: 8/31; 9/1,2,14,15; 10/12,13

http://www.sagesnider.com/

Seraphim

Seraphim delights Washington area audiences with warmly blended harmonies, a variety of repertoires, authentic dances, and audience involvement. Their shows instruct audiences about the historical periods in which their music is set, in the context of a group of ladies gossiping about their lives and loves. In addition to their Renaissance music, Seraphim performs outside of the festival with programs of music from various time periods and also holiday songs. Performing 9/7,8.

http://seraphimquartet.org/

Ship Shape

Ship Shape is a music and comedy group newly ashore and looking to entertain any landlubber looking for a laugh! They specialize in sea shanties, tight harmonies, and nautical (sometimes naughty!) humor. Join them for a shipload of fun! 9/14,15.
Photo by Evan Hoffman.
https://linktr.ee/shipshapepirates?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=af34e06a-ae36-46fc-8294-ca371ecfcd04

Stories in Song with Sir Richard

Come along on a musical journey led by Revel Grove’s own Sir Richard Mondes (Cory Jones). This cozy set invites you on an adventure through the melodies of Ireland, Scotland, and the Old World, with occasional detours to places yet-to-be discovered. Sing along with traditional ballads, time-honored favorites, and a curated selection of Sir Richard's personal picks. It's an opportunity to sing, share, and experience the richness of the stories found in each and every song. Once daily at Cottage Stage.

Thomas Tallis, virginals and pipe organist

Gary Schwartz aka Thomas Tallis performs on the pipe organ at 10am & 6:15pm daily at the Lyric Stage. Also discover him throughout the pathways of Revel Grove on his virginal. Check the daily schedule for times and places. Also performs for weddings at the chapel!

www.musicbythemaster.com

Anna Tam and Jon Banks

Singer and multi-instrumentalist Anna Tam (Mediaeval Baebes, Wilde Roses) weaves together genre-bending, synaesthetic threads of sound and emotion. Shortlisted as ‘Instrumentalist of the Year’ 2020 and 2021 by Fatea Magazine for her technical brilliance on nyckelharpa, hurdy gurdy, viola da gamba and cello; Anna has been touring internationally making TV appearances since she was 12 and has played her historic and folk instruments on computer game soundtracks for Grammy award winning composer Jason Graves. She is in the US for the release of her new album ‘Vulnerable’ – check the website for details of other performances.

'there is no doubting the emotional commitment that she brings’ Living Tradition

‘the string playing is of another dimension’ Irish Music Magazine

‘a ghostly set’ The Guardian

'where minimal instrumentation and perfectly judged vocals come beautifully and dramatically together’ **** RnR

Santouri and accordion player Jon Banks has recorded, broadcast and toured throughout Europe, the Middle East and the Americas as a member of The Burning Bush, The Dufay Collective and The Jocelyn Pook Ensemble. He has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company and is a regular performer and Musical Director at the Globe Theatre. Recent recording sessions include ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ and Simon Armitage’s ‘Eurydice and Orpheus’.

Performing 9/28 - 10/6 at the Globe & Gatehouse stages.

https://annatam.co.uk/