Winter Hootenanny preview: What to expect at Kirkland Art Center live music event

Mark Sisti
·3 min read

For as far back as I can remember, the Kirkland Art Center has been the local hotbed for all sorts of music, but, in particular, for bluegrass and folk music.

If fiddler Nora Revenaugh has anything to say about it, that tradition isn’t going to end any time soon.

Nora and her band, The Boom Chickens, will be hosting Kirkland Art Center’s inaugural “Winter Hootenanny," bringing together the best in local folk and bluegrass music, on Friday, Jan. 27. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the music starting at 7 p.m.

The Boom Chickens will be hosting Kirkland Art Center’s inaugural Winter Hootenanny Jan. 27, 2023.
The Boom Chickens will be hosting Kirkland Art Center’s inaugural Winter Hootenanny Jan. 27, 2023.

“I grew up in the Irish traditional music scene, where fun, casual music parties are just a part of everyday social life,” explained Revenaugh. “My friends in the Bluegrass community have that too. I wanted to bring that warm living room energy to this show, the idea that live music is fundamentally social and fun, and that really good music can be made by everyday working people.

“That’s what folk and traditional music has always been about.”

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Of course, such an event depends on presenting high quality music. That’s not a concern with this concert.

The Boom Chickens are a local folk trio whose upbeat shows treat audiences to a mix of original tunes, folk classics, and acoustic covers, all delivered with their signature three-part harmonies and creative instrumental arrangements.

Gina Holsopple has been writing music for 25 years and has over 10 albums to her credit.
Gina Holsopple has been writing music for 25 years and has over 10 albums to her credit.

Joining them in the lineup will be two of Central New York’s finest songwriters, Gina Holsopple and J. Schnitt. Gina Holsopple has been writing music for 25 years and has over 10 albums to her credit, while Schnitt brings razor-sharp lyrics to his deep catalog of folk poetry and hard-hitting social commentary.

I was a judge a while back at a singer/songwriter competition in which the two grabbed first and second place honors; trust me when I say that this is world-class songwriting at its best.

J. Schnitt brings razor-sharp lyrics to his deep catalog of folk poetry and hard-hitting social commentary.
J. Schnitt brings razor-sharp lyrics to his deep catalog of folk poetry and hard-hitting social commentary.

Rounding out the roster will be bluegrass upstate newcomers Quarter to Orange, a band building a following with original compositions played in a classic bluegrass style.

And as an added bonus for those who want to become part of this musical community, representatives from The Mohawk Valley Bluegrass Association, Gina Marie Music Studio, and local Irish group Craobh Dugan O’Looney will be at the Hootenanny to share information about available resources and local learner’s sessions.

Bluegrass band Quarter to Orange will perform at Kirkland Art Center’s inaugural Winter Hootenanny Jan. 27, 2023.
Bluegrass band Quarter to Orange will perform at Kirkland Art Center’s inaugural Winter Hootenanny Jan. 27, 2023.

“I talk to a lot of people who used to play an instrument and miss it, but don’t know how to make music part of a busy adult life,” notes Nora. “Most of our performers and volunteers at the Hootenanny are also involved in running local open sessions, open mics, and learner’s sessions – so we’ll have some resources available at the concert to connect people who are interested in that scene.”

Tickets are $15 for the general public and $13.50 for KAC Members.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Kirkland Art Center Winter Hootenanny features folk bluegrass music