Events

International ensemble Skye Consort & Emma Björling will bring an adventurous blend of Scandinavian, Celtic and French-Canadian traditional music to Ca d’Zan House Concerts in Cambridge on Sunday, September 27.

Presented by Crossroads Cultural Connections, the all-ages evening will begin with an optional potluck dinner at 6 p.m., followed by the concert at 7 p.m. Guests who would like to participate in the potluck are invited to bring a dish to share.

Featuring acclaimed musicians from Canada and Sweden, Skye Consort & Emma Björling draws from the traditional music of Scandinavia, Ireland, the British Isles and French Canada while adding original compositions and contemporary chamber-folk arrangements.

The group’s distinctive instrumentation includes voices, fiddle, nyckelharpa, cello, bouzouki, banjo and percussion. Together, the musicians move between whirling Scandinavian polskas, lively reels, passionate love songs, breathtaking hymns and original works, creating music firmly connected to tradition while sounding entirely their own.

The collaboration began almost by accident in Montréal in 2017. Skye Consort and Swedish vocalist Emma Björling met while working together on a project with La Nef. As Björling prepared to return home, a major storm in Iceland canceled flights between North America and Europe. The musicians suddenly found themselves with several unexpected days together and spent the time listening to tunes, jamming and joking about starting a band. By the time Björling was finally able to return to Sweden, the band was no longer a joke—it had become a reality.

Björling is an award-winning Swedish singer, composer and arranger who performs with renowned Scandinavian ensembles including Kongero and Lyy. She has toured internationally, teaches at Framnäs College and leads workshops around the world.

Seán Dagher contributes lead vocals, Irish bouzouki and banjo. An accomplished performer, arranger and composer, Dagher is co-artistic director of La Nef and has contributed music to the Assassin’s Creed video game series, including vocals familiar to fans of Black Flag. He has also performed with The Longest Johns.

Cellist and vocalist Amanda Keesmaat is a prominent member of Montréal’s early-music community who has performed and recorded with numerous acclaimed musicians and ensembles and toured throughout North America, South America and Europe.

Fiddler and nyckelharpa player Simon Alexandre is an accomplished chamber and orchestral musician who moved to Sweden at age 17 to study the nyckelharpa. He also performs on Hardanger fiddle and is a member of the Orchestre Philharmonique du Québec.

Together, the four musicians create a performance that crosses borders, centuries and musical traditions, combining virtuosic playing with rich vocal harmonies and a spirit of exploration.

Guests should bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. A donation of $20 to $30 is suggested. In the event of rain, the concert will move to Bishop Hill Creative Commons.

Presented by Crossroads Cultural Connections, this concert continues the organization’s mission of bringing meaningful, high-quality live music experiences to Henry County and surrounding communities. The group will also be visiting several schools, providing cultural experiences and live entertainment free of charge to the schools, while in the area.

EVENT DETAILS

Who: Skye Consort & Emma Björling
When: Sunday, September 27
Potluck: 6 p.m.; bring a dish to share if participating
Concert: 7 p.m.
Where: Ca d’Zan House Concerts, Cambridge, Illinois
Rain Location: Bishop Hill Creative Commons
Admission: Suggested donation of $20–$30
Seating: Bring lawn chairs or blankets
Audience: All ages welcome