Matt and Shannon Heaton, April 8

Tickets $12, Doors 7:30PM, Show 8:00PM

“Their playing is masterful and inventive, their arrangements city-smart and spacious. Still, they never forget that Irish music is, at its heart, a neighborly form meant for sharing, not showing off."
—Scott Alarik, Boston Globe
Co-hosted by Brian Miller and Norah Rendell

 

 

 

 

With their feet firmly planted in the Irish traditional music world, Boston-based duo Matt & Shannon Heaton and Twin Cities Brian Miller & Norah Rendell team up for a night of Irish flute-based instrumental music and passionate traditional-style vocals on Thursday April 8th, 7:30pm at the Celtic Junction in St. Paul.  This will be the couples' second "Double Barreled Double Date" the first having taken place in May of 2009. That event was a wonderful success; an evening of warmth, laughter, and intricate music featuring the Irish flute. Three of the evening’s performers are highly talented on this unique wooden instrument, so this show will again be chock full of barrels… flute barrels, that is.

With Irish flute, vocals, guitar, bouzouki, husband-and-wife musicians Matt & Shannon Heaton offer a mix of traditional and original tunes and songs. Their music is Irish in style (they learned to play in Chicago, Clare and Boston), and their stage presence is full of unapologetic American charm. Dirty Linen magazine said they had “an infectious spirit and vitality that translates into bright, uplifting music that will make you smile.”

2008 Canadian Traditional Singer of the Year nominee, Norah Rendell met Twin Cities guitarist Brian Miller while they were both studying traditional music in Ireland in 2005. Their duo performances clicked from the start. Ireland’s Munster Express wrote that their music “brings sunlight into your heart and sets your feet a dancing.” Since their first show at the Celtic Junction with Matt and Shannon Heaton, Norah and Brian have gotten married themselves and are working on a new CD with their band Two Tap Trio. 

Audience members can expect a night of strong traditional music, passionate singing, and lighthearted and easygoing stage presence. The two duos will team up for a few numbers, and for a flute-de-force finish. Information about each duo at MattandShannonHeaton.com and norahrendell.com.