The Cowichan Folk Guild is kicking off a new Coffeehouse season with one of everyone’s favourite duos, 2019 Islands Folk Fest performers The High Quadra Ramblers, on Saturday, Sept. 14, at Duncan United Church (246 Ingram St.)
The Ramblers say they were formed “during a cold long winter over a need for mournful Appalachian mountain tunes and a love of traditional music”.
HIGH QUADRA RAMBLERS – Darlin Cory from Kaitlin Chamberlin on Vimeo.
Mack Shields has played fiddle since he was eight, winning Canadian fiddle competitions and playing all around the continent developing his syncopated style. Mack has played in many bands over the years including the Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra, OQO, Ain’t Dead Yet, The Wicks and Kodou (a collaboration with renowned classical pianist Shoko Inoue and Jacques Mindreau).
Kaitlin Chamberlin picked up the banjo after playing guitar and piano all her life and found she loved it. Her playing is influenced by the African gourd banjo, Flamenco guitar stylings and her Nova Scotian/Irish heritage. She is the recipient of the Victoria Bluegrass Association Nimblefingers bursary and plays in the roma-ragtime-klezmer duo Button & String.
Banjo and fiddle are a timeless partnership of instruments. With oldtime vocal harmonies and skilled instrumentation, The High Quadra Ramblers play a wide range of traditional music, from Métis to Celtic, Appalachian, bluegrass, Cajun and roots.
So, expect high-energy hillbilly hoedowns but also droney, middle-eastern inspired instrumentals. Set to release their second album, the Ramblers are on fire to share their gritty, heartfelt energy with the world.
Doors open at 7 p.m., with an open stage at 7:30, with the featured artists to follow.
Admission at the door: $5 CFG members $10 non-members.
