Performers
Meet our 2025 Entertainers
Find out more about our talented performers and exhibitionists
Featuring: On the Lash
A fiery force in the world of Irish traditional music, On The Lash reimagines the genre with raw energy, fearless originality, and a deep respect for its roots. Seamlessly blending classic ballads with inventive arrangements and fresh interpretations, this dynamic ensemble captures the boundless spirit of Irish folk music.
Formed in early 2021, OTL hit the ground running with a debut tour through Pennsylvania and Delaware, and they haven’t slowed down since. Their high-caliber performances have taken them to major festivals and concert halls across the U.S., from the KVMR Celtic Fest in California to the Longs Peak Highland Festival in Colorado. Beyond the stage, OTL is passionate about sharing their knowledge, offering educational workshops to inspire the next generation of musicians.
John Robey – Fiddle, vocals Patrick Hartson – Guitar, vocals Joel Tyrone Myers – Mandolin, vocals Elizabeth June – Flute, lead vocals
Southern Illinois-based duo Róisín Dubh (Pronounced Rowsheen Dove) blends the soul of Irish and Scottish folk with its own distinctive flair. Featuring the powerful Great Highland Pipes, Ceilidh bagpipes, and an array of instruments including guitar, whistle, harmonica, vocals, and keyboard, this duo brings traditional melodies to life with energy and authenticity. Whether performing stirring ballads or lively dance tunes, Róisín Dubh delivers a rich and captivating musical experience.
Holly Kee – Keyboard, vocals Les Lannom – Pipes, guitar, whistle, harmonica, vocals
Hailing from Milwaukee, Cat and Hare is a vibrant Irish traditional music quartet that breathes new life into the reels, jigs, and airs of Ireland and Scotland. Armed with fiddle, concertina, tenor banjo, bodhrán, and bouzouki, the group weaves together archival gems, classic recordings, and modern inspirations to create a sound both timeless and fresh. Founded just before the Great Pause of 2020, Cat and Hare has since become a staple of the Milwaukee folk scene. Its members are also dedicated educators, teaching at the Irish Fest School of Music and performing in various Irish music groups across the region.
Amy Richter – Bodhrán, spoons, percussion Olivia Langby – Fiddle, concertina Christian Wandzala – Tenor banjo, harp, bouzouki, voice, tin whistle Jeff Ksiazek – Bouzouki, tin whistle
True to their name, na Skylark (“the skylarks” in Irish) soars through the old tunes and songs of Ireland and the Celtic lands with grace and artistry. This accomplished trio specializes in historical instruments and traditional melodies, weaving them into an immersive musical journey that is as moving as it is mesmerizing. Their performances leave audiences smiling, laughing, and with a deeper connection to the heartbeat of Celtic tradition. Lorinda Jones – Irish harp, tin whistle, appalachian dulcimer Cathy Wilde – Uilleann Pipes, Irish flute, tin whistle, bodhran Jannell Canerday – Vocals, fiddle, anglo concertina
Springfield, Illinois-based Skibbereen is a powerhouse of Celtic-inspired rock and folk, blending tradition with a modern, high-energy edge. What began as an idea from guitarist Hank Helton in 2010 quickly grew into something greater—a band that breathes new life into old tunes, crafts striking original songs, and infuses everything they touch with a vibrant, rock-and-roll sensibility.
Now a dynamic four-piece, Skibbereen delivers a rich sound driven by guitar, violin, bass, and drums, layered with soaring three-part harmonies. Whether reimagining timeless melodies or performing their own signature compositions, they create music that feels both deeply rooted and refreshingly new. Tom Myers – Bass Rachel Helton – Violin, vocals Colin Helton Drums, vocals Hank Helton Guitar, vocals