The Folk Project Troubadour Acoustic Concert Series presents Chris Newman & Máire Ní Chathasaigh and Spencer LaJoye

“Extraordinary English acoustic guitar virtuoso Chris Newman and legendary Irish harpist and tradition-bearer, Máire Ní Chathasaigh, are internationally celebrated icons of Celtic folk music. Expect a breathtaking blend of traditional Irish music, hot jazz, bluegrass and baroque, played with dazzling virtuosity and spellbinding lyricism.

Chris has toured with many luminaries of the folk and jazz worlds and his recent groundbreaking solo album, ‘Breaking Bach’, was “Dazzling… utterly breathtaking… a triumph” * * * * * FOLK WALES Máire is “an absolute legend” THE IRISH ECHO and a recipient of Irish traditional music’s most prestigious award, Musician of the Year (Gradam Ceoil TG4).

Spencer LaJoye is making queer indie folk music for everyone. They are a coast-to-coast singer/songwriter and vocal loop artist with Midwest roots, a classically-trained violinist with an inner theater kid’s love of group choreography, and a student of Americana music with a theology degree hanging in their studio. The 2021 Kerrville Songwriting Competition winner and 2024 Songwriter Serenade winner has been writing and touring their autobiographical folk songs for over a decade, but their viral 2021 anthem “Plowshare Prayer” secured them a permanent place in hearts and households across the world, as well as a peculiar career as a veracious songsmith with an unshakeable pastoral presence. Charming and banter-heavy, Spencer’s performances keep audiences laughing one moment and weeping the next.