Adirondack Folk Music Legend Rod Driscoll Headlines Final Lawn Concert

Grab your dancing shoes! Our final Lawn Concert of the summer transforms into a lively Contra Dance with Adirondack 2 Step, featuring longtime Adirondack folk musician Rod Driscoll. Come dance or just bring a blanket to listen on Tuesday, July 28th at 7p in our courtyard.

Rod has been an active performer and promoter of folk music in the Adirondacks for the last 50 years singing a wide varied repertoire of songs. Rod has performed with the Too Tall String band, Old Mountain and Friends Union String Bands and has made many solo appearances. Over the last 8 years, Rod has hosted a Celtic and Old Time music session at his home & the Whitcomb's Art Center. Adirondack 2 Step is a spin off of the fiddle tune jam group, where they have been playing contra dances with Jeremy Clifford as a caller since 2021.

Rod's father had the greatest impact on his musical path during his upbringing. "My dad played guitar and sang at parties. I always admired how it brought joy to people." Rod still carries the enthusiasm for what sparked his love for folk and contra dancing. "I love watching people come together to dance, socialize, and enjoy themselves," Rod mentioned about what he appreciates most about seeing the dance floor come to life.

Adirondack 2 Step showcases celtic and old time music that will make you want to move your feet! "We all feel connected by the music and the experiences of performing for the dances. We have a common bond that's based on a common language all of us can speak, even if we just met" Rod expressed about what he treasures most in the contra dance community. The group is from all musical backgrounds and has a variety of musical experiences. Their interesting mix of instruments include hammered dulcimer, fiddle concertina, guitar, bass and various types of percussions. Members of ADK 2 Step are Rod Driscoll, Michael Bourgeois de Beaubassin, Barry Kilbourne, Hap Wheeler and Jeremy Clifford. Our lawn concert contra dance caller will be fiddler Lausanne Allen from Bristol, VT.

Rod is a musical explorer with a diverse collection of instruments, including the hammered and lap dulcimers, 6 & 12 string guitars, banjo, bouzouki, and bodhran. How does he choose his next instrument? "The sound that captivates me usually inspires me to learn how to play it." He first mastered the mountain dulcimer, which opened the door to performing and learning other instruments. The hammered dulcimer introduced him to fiddle tunes. The mandolin, banjo, and fiddle are prominent in folk and bluegrass, while the bodhran and bouzouki play key roles in Celtic music. Not only does Rod perform the instruments but he also builds them! His workshop, "O'Driscoll Folk Instruments" which is located in Peru, NY is where you can purchase your own dulcimers. He has built 400 mountain dulcimers and 50 hammered dulcimers, one guitar, three bowed psalteries, four lap harps, one Irish harp and two banjos.

Every musician starts with curiosity, a love of sound and the courage to try something new. Concerts at the old Fillmore East in Manhattan was performances that changed everything to Rod growing up. It exposed him to all sorts of music and performers. Encouraging young people to explore instrument opens the door to creativity, self-expression, and a lifetime of musical discovery. "If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to start learning guitar and other instruments sooner." Rod has retired from his position as an elementary school principal for the Whiting Sudbury Learning Academy in Center Vermont in 2018 and AuSable Valley High School in 2016. After 32 years of teaching he found class singalongs were a great way to connect with students and a great teaching tool to bring history to life.

What excites ADK 2 Step the most about performing for the last lawn concert of the summer at the Elizabethtown Social Center is "seeing people have fun and dancing to our music. Fiddle tunes are meant for dancing." Our lawn concerts are for everyone to enjoy, so if you would like to come to watch or join in on the dancing, all are welcome! The event is held outdoors, weather permitting and can be moved inside with air conditioning if the weather is not suitable. Please bring a lawn chair or blanket!

See you on the dance floor, where the fiddles are playing and the feet are moving!

Tuesday, July 28th

6p - Seagle Festival Children's Opera - "Little Red Riding Hood"

7p - Celtic and Old Time Concert & Contra Dance with ADK 2 Step

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