NEWS RELEASE
WESLEY UNITED CHURCH
*************************
A new supergroup of Canadian folk musicians plans a show in Cambridge on Aug. 3 at Wesley United Church.
Portage has fiddlers, multi-instrumentalists and singers performing old and new music in a collective artistic adventure. Their new self-named recording Portage, features ten innovative arrangements of high-energy fiddling from many traditions combining vocals, guitar, cello, piano, bones, feet and more.
The members of Portage are Anne Lederman, Erynn Marshall, Laura Risk, Christina Smith and Jean Hewson.
The Cambridge event is organized by Wesley United Church and Mill Race Folk Traditions.
More info about Portage at www.portagefiddle.com.
Concert information
- Sat., Aug. 3
- Wesley United Church – Ainslie Hall
- 6 Cambridge Street, Cambridge
- Concert: 8-10 p.m., Doors and bar at 7:30 p.m.
- Tickets: $20: www.ticketscene.ca/events/48148 or cash/debit at the door
For information about the concert, email: [email protected]
Background info about Portage
Portage is a new super-group of fiddlers/multi-instrumentalists/singers from across Canada bringing you old and new music in a collective artistic adventure. Their self-named recording Portage, released in February 2024, features ten innovative arrangements of high-energy fiddling from many traditions combining vocals, guitar, cello, piano, bones, feet and more. The members of Portage are:
Anne Lederman (fiddle, voice, bones, jawharp, piano, accordion, mandolin). Originally from Manitoba, Anne has been on the front lines of renewal of many traditions, especially Indigenous fiddling, Ontario trad, klezmer music, African-Canadian music and more. Anne founded organizations Worlds of Music Toronto and World Fiddle Day Toronto, while her research on Indigenous fiddling has been cited hundreds of times by other authors. www.annelederman.com
Erynn Marshall (fiddle, voice) is a fiddler from Victoria, BC who lives in SW Virginia and is known internationally for her traditional music. She was the first woman and person from outside the US to win 1st place fiddle at “Clifftop,” (the Appalachian Stringband Festival), and is featured in the "Women of Old-Time Music" exhibit at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum (VA). She tours internationally, has numerous recordings, appeared in five films, three books and is coordinator for Swannanoa Old-Time & Dance Week (NC). www.Dittyville.com www.dittyville.com.
Laura Risk (fiddle). Originally from California, now living in Montreal, Laura performs and teaches Scottish and Québécois fiddling internationally and has over a dozen albums to her credit. Her distinctive sound and compelling interpretations of traditional tunes are intensely personal yet grounded in meticulous archival and ethnographic research. Laura has toured with Cordelia’s Dad, Triptych, Ensemble Galilei, and dancer Sandy Silva; served as musical director for ensembles Childsplay and Revels North; and produced seven albums, including three for fiddler Hanneke Cassel. www.laurarisk.com
Christina Smith (cello, fiddle, viola da gamba, vocals). Since 1982, Christina has been collecting, researching, performing, teaching, and publishing on Newfoundland traditional music and is recognised in North America and Britain as one of its foremost exponents. She has toured internationally and teaches both in the community and at Memorial University School of Music. She is also the founder and director of the STEP Fiddlers, a group of young musicians who have been performing and recording Newfoundland tunes since 1983. www.jeanandchristina.ca.
Jean Hewson (singer/guitarist) has immersed herself in the traditional music of Newfoundland and Labrador for more than four decades. As a performer she has recorded and toured with a long list of Newfoundland’s best-known folk musicians. Her recent projects include founding and directing the Soundbone Folksong Choir, and playing guitar for Portage. www.jeanandchristina.ca.
Portage also showcases renowned Canadian fiddlers Wendy MacIssac and Bryan Poirier representing their respective fiddle traditions of Cape Breton and New Brunswick on two beautiful tracks. This album is an uplifting journey across North-American fiddle styles and is a must-have for the traditional music lover.
*************************
