Gerry O’Connor & Kevin McElroy (Concerts in West K!) NEW VENUE

O’Connor grew up in the town of Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland, in a family of musicians, dancers, and singers. His mother, Rose (née O’Brien) was a fiddler who taught him and his siblings the fiddle at home. His father, Peter, was a singer. As a young man, O’Connor won numerous All-Ireland awards as both a solo artist and as a member of duos, trios, and bands. Playing with County Sligo fiddle master John Joe Gardiner in the 1970s was an important step in O’Connor developing his own fluid and lyrical fiddle style. He also credits his experience as a step-dancer in giving his music its rock-steady rhythm and lively pulse.

Joining Gerry will be Portland guitarist and singer Kevin McElroy. For the past three decades McElroy has performed regularly with such luminaries as Seamus Connolly, Brendan Tonra, and Joe Burke. He and O’Connor were brought together by their shared love of fiddles and fiddle-making; they share a wealth of mutual inspirations and musical influences. O’Connor’s expressive melodies and McElroy’s tasteful accompaniment come together through a seamless bit of musical alchemy.

The concert will take place Friday evening, June 21, from 7:30-9:30 p.m., in the Dane Street Program Center of the Brick Store Museum, at 117 Main Street in Kennebunk.

There is open seating for the concert on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission is by $20.00 per person at the door.