Event

Middlemarch

Middlemarch takes it's name from the Scottish/English Borders and plays tunes and songs from that part of the British Isles. The musical traditions of the Borders, as they are known, reaches back many centuries and includes classic ballads describing the bloody history of the region, lively dance tunes and more contemporary songs from the coal mines that fueled the Industrial Revolution. New Castle in Northumberland drew many people from Scotland and Ireland who sought work in the factories, mines and shipyards. Out of this rich and often violent mix of cultures, traditions and history developed a unique and beautiful music that is not often performed by contempory Celtic folk groups. Developing out of a Northumbrian music session on Vashon Island, the group was founded three years ago.

Wally Bell hails from Morpeth in Northumberland, the Northern most county of England, where he became a part of the thriving Folk music scene in his teens. His traditional singing style and repertoire a rare delight in this part of the world. He lives on Vashon Island with his wife and son.

Kat Eggleston is well known in the Folk music world for her incredible voice, original songs and guitar artistry. She has recorded eight CDs, toured the world, and performs nationally as part of a duo with Kate MacLeod.

Sue Truman of Seattle is well known in Cape Breton, Quebecois and Old Time music circles for her fiddling and step dancing expertise. She teaches step dance, plays with a number of groups in the area and is becoming well known as a "cranky" artist.

John Dally, like Kat, grew up on Vashon Island where he began to learn Scottish pipes at the age of eleven. His piping spans the Borders as he is an accomplished player of the unique Northumbrian smallpipes as well. He has appeared on several recordings, published a history of piping in the PNW and composed many tunes, some of which have been recorded by Scottish folk groups.