A Scottish Christmas with Bonnie Rideout

"A Scottish Christmas is ancient and infectious ... and so compelling, no matter what the listener's ancestry." - CBS Sunday Morning

A Scottish Christmas presents a lively collection of Scottish carols, wassail tunes and traditional Highland music and dances featuring Bonnie Rideout, one of the finest Scottish fiddlers of our time. The performance is presented by some of the most legendary Celtic musicians from both North America and Scotland, blending the sounds of the fiddle, bagpipes, Uillieann pipes, Border pipes, clarsach (Celtic harp), bodran (Celtic frame drum), guitar and voice. Traditional dancers will add grace and excitement to the holiday program.

On stages from Scotland's Edinburgh International Festival to America's Kennedy Center, Bonnie Rideout's unique style of Scottish fiddling has charmed audiences with a vast array of traditional Scottish dance tunes, Highlands bagpipe music and ancient Gaelic melodies, each reflecting the rich musical tradition of her heritage. Rideout has been featured on the BBC, CBS Sunday Morning and NPR's Performance Today, Morning Edition and The Thistle & Shamrock. Her CD A Scottish Christmas became a New York Times "Top Ten Holiday Best Seller" in 1996 and has continued to sell in record numbers. She is the only American to hold the honor of representing Scottish fiddle music at the prestigious Edinburgh International Festival, the first woman to hold the National Scottish Fiddle title, and the youngest to have garnered the U.S. Championship, winning it for three consecutive years. This performance features traditional Scottish carols, wassail tunes, and dance music associated with celebrating Christmas, Hogmanay (Scottish New Year's Eve) and the New Year, and includes such favorites as "Greensleeves", "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", and "Adeste Fideles."

The Watauga Nurserymen's Association will be on-hand at the concert with a display table and lots of good advice about choosing the best holiday tree.