Atwater-Donnelly Duo Brings Song and Dance to Milton

On Sunday, October 2, 2016, award-winning duo Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly performed a concert of traditional American and Celtic folk songs and percussive dance at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Milton, Massachusetts. The concert is part of the Music at St. Michael’s program, which seeks to bring a variety of music and concerts to the Milton community.

Concert-goers of all ages enjoyed listening to the duo perform seafaring, Irish, Appalachian and contemporary music, which included, “Saddle and Ride,” “Jamestown Homeward Bound,” “Spanish Lady,” “Polly Put the Kettle On,” “Adieu My Lovely Nancy,” and “The Mermaid from Ontario,” among several other songs.

Elwood Donnelly offered a Limberjack "extravaganza” to the accompaniment of four old-time banjo tunes, while Aubrey offered a number of clogging and tin whistle demonstrations. The Rev. Hall Kirkham and Frank Van Atta, Rector and Music Director of St. Michael’s, joined in with guitar and piano on the last two numbers. The audience and musicians enjoyed a pot-luck dinner in the Upper Parish Hall following the concert.

Based in Warren, Rhode Island, Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly have traveled extensively for thirty years in the United States, with occasional trips to Ireland, England, and Canada, to perform and find their songs and dances. They have produced seven books, thirteen recordings that receive international airplay, and were featured in a documentary film by Uriah Donnelly. The performance at St. Michael’s will be available for viewing on Milton Access TV. Please check the channel’s schedule for airdates.

For more information on St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, or the Music at St. Michael’s program, please visit stmichaelsmilton.org, or contact the church office at 617-698-1813, mail@stmichaelsmilton.org.