Concerts
TAUNY’s has a long history of bringing local and regional professional musicians and bands to The TAUNY Center and a regional partnering organizations such as Pickins Hall and the Edwards Opera House. These performances focus on traditional musical genres in: Bluegrass, Folk, Rock, Country, and more. Many concerts take place as part of artisan and traditional cultural events and to complement Arts Education programs.
Sugaring Off
This annual event at The TAUNY Center is a musical celebration of maple sugaring season. This free interactive day features sugar and snow treats for the family and a live concert from the Madstop Fiddlers of Potsdam. [read more=”Read more…” less=”Read less…”] This multigenerational group, under the direction of their teacher, Gretchen Koehler, present a variety of toe-tapping old-time fiddle tunes that have been played in the North Country for generations. Throughout this fun, educational event, listeners learned to play spoons, hear stories of French Canadian sugaring off parties, and learned some Ottawa Valley step dance moves.
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Atkinson Family Band
The Atkinsons, a traditional bluegrass band with a unique family vocal dynamic, bring a high-energy stage show and a refreshing mountain sound from the Adirondack foothills. Led by banjo player, Dick Atkinson, the group’s sound combines bluegrass, Americana and original material. [read more=”Read more…” less=”Read less…”] Members Shelene Atkinson on rhythm guitar, Liza Atkinson on vocals, mandolin and guitar, and Sara Atkinson on bass contribute to the band’s rich sound, while the band’s 2003 National Dobro Champion, Dave Bevins, adds his tasteful and inventive playing.
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Fiddling with Traditions
Fiddling With Traditions is a fun, imaginative, multimedia concert that features fiddler/tunesmith Gretchen Koehler & pianist Daniel Kelly sharing fiddle tunes that underscore a film that focuses on artisan-based folk traditions in the North Country. [read more=”Read more…” less=”Read less…”] From heart pumping musical arrangements to peaceful panoramas, their expressive soundscapes capture the spirit of rug braiding, blacksmithing, quilting, silversmithing, paper making, knitting, painting and woodworking.
Fiddler Gretchen Koehler and jazz pianist Daniel Kelly blend the raw energy of dance fiddling with the lyricism and improvisation of jazz. “Masterful,” writes Fiddler Magazine of the duo’s dynamic sound. Koehler, a champion fiddler and Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame inductee, is fluent in over a dozen distinct fiddle styles. Kelly, a U.S. State Department Jazz Ambassador, has brought his depth of knowledge of American jazz to audiences around the world. Together, Koehler & Kelly spark an innovative musical conversation while celebrating their deep respect for folk traditions. Their bold approach has caught the attention of the folk music establishment, and they were featured on NPR’s “Thistle & Shamrock.”
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Holiday Open House
Video: A staple of TAUNY’s yearly Holiday Open House are the Madstop Fiddlers, a multigenerational group of traditional fiddlers and musicians under the tutelage of artists Gretchen Koehler and Don Woodcock.