The Woodstock Folk Festival is delighted to welcome singer, guitarist, and writer Sarah McQuaid to its concert series stage on Sunday, May 1st, at 2 p.m., at Stage Left Café, 125 Van Buren Street, Woodstock, Illinois, 815-337-1395.

“She sings with so much beauty—and with utmost respect for the folklore behind each song and ballad.”
-Gene Shay, WXPN, Philadelphia

Renowned for her warm, engaging stage presence, Sarah McQuaid is a versatile and beguiling performer. In addition to her own elegantly crafted originals, she interprets traditional Irish and Appalachian folk songs, Elizabethan ballads, 1930s jazz numbers, surprise covers, and lively guitar instrumentals with panache and poignance. Her deliciously earthy voice delivers a powerful emotional punch that’s matched by her distinctive, eloquent guitar style. Add this to a real rapport with her audience, and you have all the ingredients of a wonderful concert.

Sarah is the author of The Irish DADGAD Guitar Book, described by The Irish Times as “a godsend to aspiring traditional guitarists,” and she has also presented workshops on the DADGAD tuning at festivals and venues around the globe.

Her debut solo album, When Two Lovers Meet, featured traditional tunes and songs along with one original number. “Sarah’s voice is both as warm as a turf fire and as rich as matured cognac… An astonishing debut by a unique talent,” wrote the Rough Guide To Irish Music.

Her second album, I Won’t Go Home ’Til Morning, was recorded in Trevor Hutchinson’s Dublin studio and produced by Gerry O’Beirne. Both also guest on the album, alongside percussionist Liam Bradley, Máire Breatnach on fiddle and viola and Rosie Shipley on fiddle.

Crow Coyote Buffalo, an album of songs co-written by Sarah with fellow Penzance, Cornwall, England resident Zoë, under the band name Mama, has also been garnering rave reviews since its January 2009 release. One critic described the pair as “Two pagan goddesses channeling the ghost of Jim Morrison”.

For more information about Sarah, visit her website, SarahMcQuaid.com.

Opening for Sarah will be folk duo Chris McIntosh & Alvin McGovern. Chris and Alvin have been featured on the Woodstock Folk Festival Main Stage several times, and make regular appearances at The Two Way Street Coffee House in Downers Grove, the Maple Street Chapel Folk Concerts in Lombard, and the Eastgate Cafe in Oak Park. They have a large, pleasant, and eclectic repertoire of traditional and contemporary songs, forgotten popular pieces, and obscure gems. The primary focus of their selections, both serious and humorous, is on interesting lyrics. And they always encourage their audiences to join in.

For more about Chris and Alvin, visit their website, McIntosh-McGovern.com.

The Woodstock Folk Festival Concerts are held on an as-needed basis, so there is no schedule or even a set number of concerts per year. You are encouraged to check this page often to find out the details of the next concert, and your attendance at any or all of then will be greatly appreciated.

The previous Woodstock Folk Festival Concert was held on July 17, 2010.