Entertainment at the 2010 Games

We're excited to tell you about a number of excellent entertainers featured at the the 2010 Portland Highland Games.

Molly's Revenge is a dynamic, acoustic Celtic band from California combining bagpipes, whistle, fiddle, and song.

Rebecca Lomnicky is the current world champion Scottish fiddler - from right here in Oregon! Rebecca will be joined this year by international performer David Brewer, who plays the Highland pipes, small pipes, bodhran, and more.

Beltaine is a Northwest trio with a unique mix of the traditional and the eclectic, featuring dual dulcimers, guitar, flute, and marimbula.

Molly's Revenge

Molly's Revenge is a California based band known for putting on dynamic and lively stage performances. The classic combination of bagpipes, whistle, fiddle, and song set against a backdrop of guitar, bouzouki, and mandola accompaniment guarantee an enjoyable experience for all fans of Scottish and Irish music. They mix traditional tunes with new material in a combination that sets feet tapping and throats cheering... The lineup includes David Brewer (bagpipes, whistles, bodhran), John Weed (fiddle), Pete Haworth (vocals and bouzouki) and stuart mason (guitar and mandola).

David Brewer has been playing whistle and four types of bagpipes for about 15 years. He studied in Scotland at the Ceolas Music School in South Uist under the tutelage of some of the best pipers in the world. His authentic and unique style of playing has earned him the reputation of being one of the most accomplished pipers on the West Coast. David has composed close to 200 traditional style tunes, many of which have appeared on recordings, independent films, and television.

John Weed is a classically-trained violinist who switched to playing Irish fiddle about 12 years ago. John lived in Ireland in 2000 and taught fiddle workshops at the Flowing Tide International Music School in Doonbeg, County Clare. He hones his skills annually by attending the Frankie Kennedy Winter School in Dunlewey, County Donegal where he has studied with Ciaran O'Maonaigh and Dermot Mcloughlin.

Pete Haworth grew up in the Blackburn area of Lancashire County,England, where he collected and sang the local folk songs. He brings an authentic vocal style, a very big bouzouki, and an unflagging sense of humour to the band. He and his family moved to California in 1982.

Stuart Mason has been collecting and performing traditional music for over 30 years. He has appeared on stage from Ireland to China performing Celtic, old time bluegrass, and his original compositions,which have won awards from the West Coast Songwriters Association. He leads workshops and classes in traditional music techniques at music festivals and camps.

Rebecca Lomnicky & David Brewer

Rebecca Lomnicky, the current Glenfiddich Scottish Fiddle Champion, is only the second American and youngest to have won this competition during its 20 year history! This “Champion of Champions” was born in Oregon and won her first Scottish fiddle competition right here at the Portland Highland Games in 2004. Rebecca went on to win the junior division of the US National Scottish Fiddle Competition the following year at the age of 13.

Since then she’s become known as the “Pipey Scottish Fiddler” for her unique and lively fiddle bow and fingerings, along with her soulful airs that’ll make you long for the misty Scottish Highlands and take you back to the days of bonnie Prince Charlie. The Glenfiddich judges certainly felt this way, as they awarded her the coveted title of “Glenfiddich Champion” and Silver Quaich last November at Castle Blair in the heart of highland Perthshire, Scotland!

Rebecca will be joined again this year by the extraordinarily talented David Brewer, a founding member of the Celtic band Molly’s Revenge. Performing nationally and internationally, David is a skilled multi-instrumentalist, who can be found playing Great Highland bagpipes, Scottish small pipes, whistles and bodhran.

Rebecca and David will celebrate the release of a duo CD this year! Rebecca’s debut CD “The Call” was hailed by Dirty Linen Magazine (June 08) as “a technically masterful, wonderfully melodic collection of fiddle tunes”. In 2009 she collaborated with David on his latest CD, “Turning Pages”, a bagpipe album featuring tunes resurrected from 18th century Scottish manuscripts, as well as, newly composed pieces featuring intricately interwoven pipes and fiddle. All three CDs will be available at this year’s games!

Add to this dynamic duo Peter Willis, an outstanding guitar-player in his own right, and you have a fabulous Scottish trio you won’t want to miss.

Beltaine

Dual Dulcimers, guitar, flute and marimbula offers a unique and bright sound to Celtic and traditional music from around the world. Beltaine is a Northwest trio that shines as bright as their name. There is a strong synergy among the members of Beltaine, as all members play both melody and harmonies on multiple instruments. The music is eclectic but not electric, with emphasis on traditional dance music and powerful songs. In live performances, Kris, Brian, and John keep it light and lively with spritely tunes, stories, and jokes – soon everyone gets to be a part of the magic of Beltaine!

“The bright and festive sounds of acoustic guitar, hammered dulcimer marimbula, flute and penny whistle combine in folk-inspired arrangements, with dance-like qualities and a celebratory air throughout.” Hilary Field - Victory Review