Eloise & Co. features the combined creative force of three of the country’s most sought-after traditional musicians: Becky Tracy, Rachel Bell, and Bethany Waickman. These three dig into powerhouse reels with electrifying grit and unapologetic drive, while savoring the spacious beauty of jigs and waltzes, with styles ranging from French to Celtic to Quebecois.
Only 99 general admission tickets are being sold for this intriguing performance at $18 for seniors and students, and $20 for adults. Tickets are available online at FOHNH.org, or by calling 603 934-1901. If not sold out, tickets will also be available at the door.
Rachell Bell is a sought-after performer, for concerts, contra dances, French Bal Folk dances and more. She is passionate about sharing with others the delight she finds in this music and each show is infused with a contagious enthusiasm for her instrument. She thrives on ensemble projects — especially with her bands Eloise & Co., Peregrine Road, Alchemy, and Old-World Charm School — and feels most alive when she’s exploring creative intersections and breathing life into tunes crafted with others.
Becky Tracy has dance music in her blood. Her grandparents were active in the dance scene around Boston in the 1930’s and were involved in the early years of NEFFA (New England Folk Festival Association). She studied Irish fiddling styles with Brendan Mulvihill and Eugene O’Donnel, and French-Canadian fiddling with Lisa Ornstein. She appeared as the featured soloist with the New Hampshire Symphony Orchestra in their performance of Evan Chambers’ Fiddle Concerto. Her sound is unmistakable. She has been a defining presence in some of the most popular and innovative contra dance bands to come out of New England.
Bethany Waickman was a mainstay on the New England contra dance circuit while attending UMass Amherst. After college, Bethany spent some time traveling in Ireland, moved to Boston, and signed on as Lissa Schneckenburger’s guitarist. Also a skillful singer, she brings new life to old ballads, and takes a special interest in exploring the singing traditions of the Maine lumber camps.
Originally thrown together at an event where Becky led the contra dance portion of the evening and Rachel led the French dance part of the evening, they have continued to fuse these two elements into their concerts and dances, as well as adding songs and original compositions to the mix. Their latest project was a series of music videos filmed in unique Vermont places, all of which are available at rachelbellmusic.com/eloiseandco.