Traditional Music & Dance
Abbie Palmer
Abbie Palmer is a multi-genre musician, composer, recording artist, music therapist, teacher, meditation facilitator, and music director. With roots in World music, Classical training, and a contemporary writing style, Abbie brings an eclectic and eccentric flavor to any stage.
Across the Pond
Across the Pond brings a high-energy, genre-bending take on Celtic folk music. Rooted in tradition but shaped by influences ranging from bluegrass to rock, country, and classical, the band creates powerful, inventive arrangements that stay true to their Celtic core. Members include Mike Morrison (guitar, mandolin, Native American flute, vocals), Dan Diviney (bodhrán, whistles, vocals), Molly Shortridge (flutes, whistles, vocals) and Lavinia Reid (fiddle, guitar, vocals).
The Baltimore Irish Music School
At The Baltimore Irish Music School, we are led by our three core values: Community, Tradition, and Craic. We strive to instill all these values in our curriculum and inspire our students to live these out every day.
Carroll County Cloggers
We are the Carroll County Cloggers. The Carroll County Cloggers are the longest continuously active clogging group in Maryland. We are a non-competitive contemporary group. Most of the dancing we do is line dancing, which does not require a partner. Our group performs for the public, but not all of our club members perform. Some dance just for the fun and the exercise!
Gallagher’s Frolics
Gallagher’s Frolics features Norm Myers on bodhran and bones, Terry O’Neill on fiddle and mandolin, Eric “Seamus” Sloan on flute and whistle, and the irrepressible Drew Vervan on guitar and vocals. The band has been together since 2023 and often performs with the Irish Dance group Tir Na nOg at area festivals. Gallagher’s Frolics presents an eclectic mix of energetic tunes and spirited, richly layered songs that is quickly gaining attention through the Mid-Atlantic region.
Kate Spanos is a dancer and dance scholar with a Ph.D. in dance and performance studies from the University of Maryland and an M.A. in traditional Irish dance performance from the University of Limerick. Kate has studied various Irish dance styles, including competition/feis style, sean nós, old-style step dance, and festival style from Northern Ireland.
The McHale School of Irish Dance has been a mainstay in the Maryland Irish Community for over 40 years. Traditional step dancing classes for children are offered in Lutherville, Maryland. They perform at various festivals, parades and events throughout the year
Mercier school of dance is a mobile dance studio that
brings the magic and excitement of a dance education to your learning center, private school, or other institution.
The Pilgrims of Deep Run
The Pilgrims take inspiration from The Irish Rovers, The Dubliners, The High Kings etc and strive to bring that feel to their live audience. Throw in some high energy trad, and grab a pint. It’s gonna be a great night!
Teelin Irish Dance Company
Teelin is committed to providing top quality dance instruction, promoting Irish culture through traditional step dance, exploring innovative choreography, and increasing performance opportunities for Irish dancers.
Tír na nÓg Irish Dancers
Tír na nÓg (The Land of the Forever Young) Irish Dance Troupe performs throughout the Maryland region at festivals, fundraisers and retirement communities. Our name was selected in honor of Ireland’s legendary land of eternal youth. The group applies their varied dancing experiences to the traditional forms of Irish dance (country sets and sean nos). Woven throughout the performance is information about each dance, the music, the area of Ireland for which the dance is named.
Traditional Music and Dance Performance Schedule
SATURDAY | SUNDAY | ||
10-10:45 | Opening Ceremony | 10:00 – 10:45 | Irish Music Showcase with Baltimore Irish Music School |
11-11:30 | Gallagher’s Frolics & Tír na nÓg Dancers | 11:15 – 12 | Kate Spanos Irish Dance |
12 – 12:45 | Across the Pond | 12:30 -1:15 | Carroll County Cloggers |
1-1:30 | Mercier School of Dance | 1:45 – 2:30 | Abbie Palmer |
1:45 – 2:30 | Carroll County Cloggers | 2:45 – 3:30 | McHale School of Irish Dance |
3:00 – 3:30 | Kate Spanos Irish Dance | 4:15 – 5:00 | The Pilgrims of the Deep Run |
4:00 – 4:45 | Across the Pond | ||
5:00 – 5:45 | Teelin Irish Dance Company | ||