19th Annual Northern Roots Traditional Music Festival — Workshops

The 19th annual Northern Roots Traditional Music Festival returns to Brattleboro for a full weekend, celebrating the rich traditional music heritage of the region. Directed by Keith Murphy, the festival explores the deep roots and shared histories of Irish, English, Scottish, French Canadian, Scandinavian, and New England traditions that continue to shape the area’s vibrant folk music scene.

A cornerstone of the regional traditional music calendar, Northern Roots brings together master musicians, singers, dancers, and educators for an immersive weekend of workshops, concerts, and participatory music-making.

🎶 Saturday Workshops (Jan 24)

Workshops run 12:00–5:30 PM at the Brattleboro Music Center and highlight:

• Swedish, Irish, and French Canadian instrumental traditions
• Traditional song from both European and American lineages
• Fiddle, flute, guitar, ensemble playing, and vocal styles

Listeners are welcome at all workshops.

🎼 Saturday Evening Concert

7:30 PM – Brattleboro Music Center

The Northern Roots Festival Evening Concert features a powerful lineup of internationally respected artists, along with a special tribute honoring the late John Roberts, a beloved figure in traditional music circles and longtime collaborator of Tony Barrand.

The tribute will be performed by Traddleboro 2026, featuring:
Andy Davis · Fred Breunig · Arthur Davis · Amanda Witman · Keith Murphy

Roberts performed countless times throughout New England and beyond, leaving a lasting legacy as a singer, educator, and tradition bearer.

🌍 Featured Performers

• Laura Risk – Internationally acclaimed Québécois and Scottish fiddler; winner of Quebec’s OPUS Prize for Album of the Year (Traditional).
• Liz Knowles & Kieran O’Hare – Members of Open the Door for Three, bringing world-class Irish fiddle and uilleann piping traditions.
• lydia ievins – A leading voice in Swedish traditional music and the only U.S. fiddler to earn both a bronze Zorn Medal and “diplom efter bron.”
• Sara Grey & Kieron Means – Interpreting American old-time songs, ballads, blues, and gospel, tracing musical journeys from the British Isles to North America.

🍻 Sunday Pub Sessions (Jan 25)

1:00–5:30 PM
American Legion Hall
32 Linden Street, Brattleboro

Musicians and listeners alike are welcome to join relaxed, participatory pub sessions celebrating Irish, French Canadian, and American traditional music. Admission is by donation.

🎟️ Tickets

• Workshops: $40 adults · $15 youths (14 & under)
• Workshop + Evening Concert Combo: $55 adults · $20 youths
• Sunday Pub Sessions: Donation

Tickets & Info:
Visit bmcvt.org, call 802-257-4523, or email info@bmcvt.org