Local artist, Alan K Parsons opened for the Princeton Arts Council’s final performers in the 2013 - 2014 Concert Series.
From Celtic tunes to a Blue Rodeo cover, and on to originals like, “King of the Fools,” The Wheat in the Barley had locals unable to stop themselves from ‘feeling the music’—shown by the constant toe tapping and hand clapping throughout the evening.
Steve Gidora, founder of the group provides vocals as well plays guitar and madolin. Victor Smith plays the accordion, whistles, violin, flutes, guitar, bohdran drum and bones. WindGod, Mark Dowding entertained with various types of flutes, whistles, saxophones and harmonicas. Violinist and vocalist Nicole Scoffield set the tone for the evening with her boundless energy and stage presence.
As well as sharing their wide variety of talents, the band was loaded with humour as they told the stories of the musical numbers they presented.
From the 300 year old composition of Turlough O’Carolan that topped the charts for just as long, The Wheat in the Barley brought the audience into this century with tunes like Trouble, knocked things up a bit with You are the One and just about raised the roof of the Riverside Centre with Circle Dance—a never ending parting with the Irish and Ukraine.
The all around entertaining evening was brought to a close with the Vancouver band’s rendition of Farewell to Nova Scotia.
To learn more about The Wheat in the Barley and to find out where you can see them next visit wheatinthebarley.com.
The Princeton Arts Council has been able to provide the 2013 -2014 Concert Series with thanks to assistance from the B.C. Arts Council and Touring Council.