FAOILEÁN In the Irish language, the word Faoileán [FWEEL-AWN] means seabird; one who circles or spins; one who cries; wild one. It is also the name of the Philadelphia-based Irish folk trio comprised of Nathan Bishop, Connor Brogan, and Rob Helsel. From executing tender verses in five-hundred-year-old ballads, to gliding through original and handed-down melodies, to rending the fabric of tunes with intensity and atmosphere, Faoileán challenges and experiments with the limits of modern Irish folk music. The trio released their debut full-length album Far Hills in April 2023; they often play at venues throughout greater Philadelphia and beyond, including theaters, bars, boats, and basements. Faoileán is on Instagram, Facebook, Bandcamp, Spotify, and everywhere else you get your music.

THE ROOKERY, based in Philadelphia, infuses its Irish Traditional Music with an eclectic and dynamic blend of influences, creating a fun-filled atmosphere of old-world charm brimming with energy and enthusiasm. Rob Curto (accordion/guitar) expanded his roots as a New York-based pianist through studies with the great Billy McComiskey, and continues to push his own boundaries through klezmer, Latin and jazz. Maura Dwyer (fiddle) carries her training as a classical cellist into a style which produces not only soaring lines, but also refined texture and complex counter-themes. Eamon Kelly (bouzouki) put years of experience as a classical bass player together with his passion for Irish music, becoming an emerging star in the world of both accompaniment and melody. The group presents a wide variety of traditional dance tunes from around the Emerald Isle, bringing the audience alongside them on a musical journey of discovery.