BRATTLEBORO-On Saturday, July 12, at 7 p.m., Under the Maple concerts presents an intimate evening of music and lore with Matthew Olwell, musician, dancer, and journeyman "fluthier." Blending traditional music from Ireland, Brittany, and North America with original material, Matthew's performances weave historical threads and personal experiences expressed through wooden flute, percussion, and song.
A founding member of the group Maivish, Olwell began his professional career touring with Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble, including a run in the original London production of Riverdance. He has been a featured performer and teacher at the Dublin Dance Festival, the Augusta Heritage Center, and the Aulnay All Blues Festival in Paris, and for many years co-Founded and -Directed Good Foot Dance Company with his partner Emily Oleson, where the two created unique pieces of "trad dance theatre."
Ollwell's musical works include CyberTrad, an acclaimed recording project of which the Irish Echo writes, "Outstanding [...] Olwell is an artist with a keen vision." A graduate of Davis & Elkins College with a degree in Multimedia Performance, Matthew also completed a master of fine arts in dance at Temple University. He currently resides in Virginia, where he is learning the art and craft of flute-making at Olwell Flutes, studying with his brother Aaron and father Patrick Olwell.
There is a suggested donation $15–$25, which goes directly to the performer. Reservations are required. For more information, email BrattleboroHouseConcerts@gmail.com.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.