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.
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!
The Doherty Petri Performance Troupe
The Doherty Petri Performance Troupe, based in Parkville, MD, presents an exhilarating blend of traditional and contemporary Celtic dance and music that is sure to captivate your audience. Their performance features a dynamic mix of lively soft shoe routines and energetic hard shoe numbers, all infused with the rhythm and spirit of Celtic culture.
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 Baltimore Salute
A dynamic Baltimore-based ensemble of some of the finest traditional Irish musicians in North America. Award-winning musicians and recording artists Laura Byrne, flute; Joanna Clare, fiddle; Eileen Estes, vocals, guitar and bodhran; and Agi Kovacs, dance, perform a variety of dance tunes and songs.
Maggie’s Wake is a Canadian contemporary folk group creating a new traditional sound. Blending high twang, classic country with fresh jigs and reels, Cajun twin fiddles and reggae rhythms, their music is an original, genre hopping adventure that is constantly evolving. The band features Tara Dunphy on tin whistle, flute, fiddle, guitar, banjo and lead vocals Lindsay Schindler on fiddle and vocals. The powerhouse backing band includes Andrew Kosty on bass and Kenneth Palmer on guitar.
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.
Tir na nOg 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 | ||
Arena Stage | Arena Stage | ||
10-10:45 | Opening Ceremony | 10:00 – 10:45 | Baltimore Irish Music School |
11 – 11:45 | Gallagher’s Frolics & Tir na nOg Dancers | 11:15 – 12 | Kate Spanos |
12 – 12:30 | Mercier School of Dance | 12:30 –1:15 | The Pilgrims of Deep Run |
1 – 1:45 | The Pilgrims of Deep Run | 1:45 – 2:30 | Abbie Palmer |
2 – 2:45 | Teelin Irish Dance Company | 2:45 – 3:30 | Carroll County Cloggers |
3:15 – 4 | Laura Byrne & The Baltimore Salute with dancer Ari Kovacs | 4 – 4:45 | Maggie’s Wake |
4:30 – 5 | Doherty Petri School of Irish Dance |
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5:15 – 6:00 | Carroll County Cloggers |
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