Event

Merry McKentys Concert and Contra Dance

The Merry McKentys, a family band from Cortes Island, will be filling the air with infectuously fun fiddle tunes at a concert and contra dance at St James Hall on March 29th.

Jokingly subtitled the "biggest family band in the west", The Merry McKentys include - at a minimum - five adult siblings and their dad, playing fiddles, accordion, mandolin, upright bass and guitar, with frequent appearances from other instruments and family members too.

The McKentys play a selection of cheerful Canadian, Irish, Scottish and Scandinavian tunes, adding improvised fiddle harmonies and upbeat accompaniment to favourite traditional melodies.

Contra dancing is a fun, energetic form of traditional dance that is often likened to square dancing without the squares. There is no fancy footwork required. The simple moves that make up the dances are demonstrated before each dance and then a caller announces each move as the dance progresses. Anyone can participate -- no previous experience or aptitude required.

The family first started playing traditional music while living in a tiny backwoods cabin in the interior of BC. "We moved from the city to the woods, and did everything backwards. We actually built a three-storey house and then added a basement. Our tape deck was battery powered and quite unreliable, and at some point our Dad realized that we needed to play our own music and started buying us all instruments. He's what you'd call a visionary," said Adam, who plays guitar and bodhran.

Later, the McKentys moved to Cortes Island and soon started playing for dances and community events. Since then they've been gradually expanding their musical activities, including several recent tours around BC as well as gigs in the UK, France, and Italy. They recorded their first studio album, Out of the Woods, at Dove Creek Studios in Courtenay last fall.

Come on out on Saturday, March 29th for a great evening of dancing and music!

Find more info and event details at MerryMcKentys.com