Keep your Irish up at upcoming concerts
The current Quad City Arts visiting artist – the trio Grosse Isle — will give more public performances this week, including in Moline, Rock Island and Bishop Hill.
First, Music at Butterworth will present the group in a free concert, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, at Butterworth Center Library, 1105 8th St., Moline.
Together, Sophie Lavoie du Lac-St-Jean (fiddle, piano, vocal), André Marchand (guitar, vocal), and Fiachra O’Regan (Irish champion uilleann pipes, whistle, banjo) shine with their rich and enveloping music, according to the trio’s bio.
These musicians all have a national and international reputation as a duo, mainly in the case of Sophie & Fiachra, and within several groups for 40 years as far as André Marchand is concerned (La Bottine Souriante, Les Charbonniers de l’Enfer and others).
The band name refers to the story of the mass arrival of the Irish in the 19th century, on Grosse Île in the St. Lawrence River (Quebec, Canada), as they fled the Great Famine. It is a striking encounter between two peoples and two cultures, the band bio says.
Grosse Isle (which is performing throughout the week in the QC area) will play Saturday, March 23, at 7 p.m. at Skylark Studios, 4401 7th Ave., Rock Island. A cash bar will be available.
Patrons will experience a full-length performance, followed by an intimate conversation revealing the artist’s background and creative ventures.
The group will perform as part of Quad City Arts’ new performance series, “Quad City Arts Presents” at Skylark Studios. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $10 for students, and are available online HERE at or at the door.
This event highlights performing arts’ pivotal role in connecting communities through stories and songs, from the traditions of people who founded places like the Quad Cities, to the current citizens who celebrate together in song and story.
In the spirit of the season of St. Patrick’s Day, Bishop Hill Creative Commons is hosting two upcoming concerts featuring Celtic music and performers from Ireland and Quebec: Sunday, March 24th with Grosse Isle and Monday, March 25th with JigJam.
Both shows will begin with a potluck dinner and social hour at 6 p.m., with music starting at 7 p.m., and are open to guests of all ages. A $20-30 donation is suggested, with 100% of the proceeds going to the artists.
When virtuoso Irish playing jumps the pond running naked through the wide open fields of bluegrass/Americana, JigJam is born, according to the Bishop Hill release.
JigJam made its Grand Ole Opry debut in Nashville in March 2023 to critical acclaim receiving a standing ovation from a sold-out crowd on country music’s biggest stage. The group was joined on the night by Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Steve Earle, Lauren Alaina, and many more. This Offaly and Tipperary-born band has started the first wave of attack in the new Irish invasion of Americana, the release says.
Founding members from Offaly Jamie McKeogh (lead singer and guitar) and Daithi Melia (5-string banjo and dobro) were joined by Tipperary-born Gavin Strappe (mandolin and tenor banjo) in 2016. This year, they are joined by Kevin Buckley (fiddle) to make up this “iGrass” (Irish Bluegrass) quartet.
Described as “The best Irish band in bluegrass” and “sparkling, infectious,” these lads have been hailed as “Ireland’s answer to New Grass Revival,” the band bio says.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
