The Mid-Winter Celtic Festival

Scott Benson Band

 

Most people would never expect the Canadian Prairies to produce a Cape Breton-style fiddler. Meet Scott Benson. The native of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan has hit stages from coast to coast alongside many of Cape Breton's finest traditional musicians. At the age of 16, Scott was featured alongside Ashley MacIsaac and John Allen Cameron, headlining to a sold out crowd at the Canmore Highland Games. Scott has gone on to perform at festivals including the Celtic Colours in Cape Breton, and the Flatland Music Festival in southern Saskatchewan. Scott has also featured often as a special guest performer with the City of Regina Pipe Band.

A descendent of Cape Breton's musically rich Stubbert family, Scott picked up the fiddle at the age of five. From an early age, he immersed himself in recordings of Cape Breton fiddlers, learning hundreds of tunes, and developing a style all his own. Now 27, Scott has transplanted the Cape Breton tradition in the prairies of Saskatchewan and beyond. Scott's debut CD, Point Aconi, was released worldwide on Trade Root Music in the spring of 2009. The album was recorded at award-winning Cape Breton studio, Lakewind Sound, and features internationally acclaimed traditional artists Troy MacGillivray on piano and fiddle, and Patrick Gillis on guitar. Renowned Cape Breton fiddlers Brenda Stubbert and Andrea Beaton also make guest appearances on the album. Already a favourite with dancers, music from Point Aconi was choreographed, and featured in performances at the 2009 Scotdance Canada traditional dance competition in Toronto, ON.

The self-titled sophomore project from Scott Benson is the direct result of a collaboration between Benson and pop producer Jared Robinson. The ground-breaking, new album fuses orchestral rock, hip hop, punk, and other genres with Benson's traditional Celtic background. Featuring original compositions from Benson, the project blends violin and fiddle music with distorted guitars, pop drums, hip hop loops, rappers, melodic string and orchestral arrangements, operatic vocalizations, and a variety of synths and programming. This is violin like you've never heard it before.

 

 

 

CELTICA

For several years, Regina's music scene has been enhanced by Celtica, a Celtic-inspired, rock/folk band that is as comfortable playing AC/DC as they are Scottish granny gems like "Loch Lomond"! The band always gives 100%, and they have been featured many times at shows, festivals and private engagements around southern Saskatchewan. We're looking forward to having the band close out the Ceilidh this year, and we hope you'll all come to finish off the 20th Ceilidh with a great set from the guys who rock Celtic!

 

DOWNBEAT

Who would think you’d need six fiddlers in one band?  DownBeat is Nathan Baker, Sarah Cibart, Tahnis Cunningham, Aislinn MacDougall, Brigid McNutt and Karley Parovsky all on fiddle with Ray Bell holding it all down on guitar.

DownBeat is a Regina-based modern fiddle ensemble. Taking all of the raucous energy and drive of traditional fiddle music and combining it with a variety of other styles. Bridging a range of styles from Celtic to Old Time to Metis and more, DownBeat lays it all out with enthusiasm and refinement.  

LAURA BUCKLEY

Laura Buckley (T.C.R.G.) was a longtime student of the Blakey School. Laura competed in the Open Championship level for many years, having won first place championships and top-five Oireachtas placements numerous times. She also medalled at North Americans and represented our school at Worlds. Laura qualified for her T.C.R.G. in 2007, while also completing full time University courses. Laura inspires us all with her enthusiasm and energy, she is a great role model for our young dancers.