Plaid Menagerie

About

Scottish and Irish music distilled into a right rant with intense rhythmic drive. The Plaid Menagerie changes it's style to suit every occasion.We are solidly trained in both classical and folk music. As a group of traditional Celtic musicians, we have performed Sacred music for weddings and funerals and as a dance act at Scottish Games. We have performed Early Music, Renaissance and Medieval with a recorder ensemble.

We try to maintain an amplified sound that duplicates our acoustic sound. We have quality instruments and value that. We provide our own sound equipment. Phillip does some dancing and does play great highland bagpipe, Scottish smallpipes, Irish whistle and recorder. We alternate fiddle sets with piping and dancing for interest. Our tunes are quite energetic and the performers require some breaks between sets, but we try to maintain the momentum. We relish the opportunity to wear costumes for events that have themes, such as Renaissance, Pirate, Scottish, Irish. We can be fully amplified, playing rousing dance music or we can be acoustic in small quiet settings. We provide our own amplification equipment and we can provide a dance caller.

The Exuberance of Celtic Music Makes People Happy In Santa Rosa, California and Beyond

Lauren Ayers December 2011:

"Plaid Menagerie played for our December Barn Dance, with caller Mike Fynan. The toe-tapping Irish tunes filled the room, a beautiful balance of fiddle and piano ... Everyone was in a happy mood to begin with, but dancing to such wonderful music lifted our spirits into the stratosphere."

From Barb in Michigan:

"Plaid Menagerie made our wedding so meaningful and enjoyable! All of our guests have contacted us to tell us how special the music was and how truly beautiful it made our wedding! We went on our first date to a Highland Festival and the Celtic atmosphere created by Plaid Menagerie was truly awesome and meaningful to us both! Everyone was moved by bagpipes playing "Scotland the Brave" for the processional. I was especially moved by the fact that they learned "In my Life", to play before the ceremony started. My family is a bunch of Beatles fans and we all thought it was great! Besides being truly talented, Plaid Menagerie are professional and really nice people!"

A review of April 10, 2011:
Mari Lancaster of the Japan Relief Fundraiser wrote, "Nanette, thank you very much for your help! Your music was exquisite! And everyone else did wonderfully. What made me happy the most is that so many people showed their support by being there at the event. I just don't know how to express my appreciation...!!"

Review of April 9, 2011 Ukiah Contra Dance:
Ulla Brunnbert-Rand, dance programmer wrote, "It sounded great...People had a great time."
Review of Nov, 2012 Davis Contra Dance
Phil Petrick "Great calling and great tunes played well - especially the Scottish stuff!"

Personnel

Nanette Fynan: Fiddler
Ben: Keyboard
Phillip Fynan: Bagpiper, Small Piper, Irish Penny Whistle, Soprano and Alto Recorder

Influences

Blazin' Fiddles, Banshee in the Kitchen, Molly's Revenge, Battlefield Band, Finvarra's Wren, The Rogues

What to Expect

Typical Gig Duration: 15 - 180 minutes

We bring you music from the Celtic Lands, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain, Cape Breton. If you aren't familiar with this music, it is wonderfully exuberant and energetic. It just plain makes people happy.

Stage/Setup Requirements:
Shade for outdoor events
Small venues and Local venues, we supply our own sound
When supplied by venue, we need, - 1 Grand, Baby Grand or Upright Piano in good condition and tuned OR - 88 weighted keyboard (Roland FP8, FP9 , RD170, RD 500, Yamaha P250, P200 are considered acceptable) - 1 Piano Bench (adjustable if possible)
When supplied by venue, we need; Inputs: Fiddle: 1 XLR line for Gage Realist, Bagpipe: Sure FM 58 or equivalent with boom - Downstage Center; Piano/Keyboard: Midstage Right; Stepdance: SM98, SM57 on Foam or equivalent

Additional Notes:
We try to maintain an amplified sound that duplicates our acoustic sound. We have quality instruments and value that. We provide our own sound equipment. Phillip does some dancing and does play great highland bagpipe. We alternate fiddle sets with piping and dancing for interest. Our tunes are quite energetic and the performers require some breaks between sets, but we try to maintain the momentum. We relish the opportunity to wear costumes for events that have themes, such as Renaissance, Pirate, Scottish, Irish.

Set/Song/Sequence List:
Auld Lang Syne
Tripping up the Stairs
Paddy Be Easy
The Duck
Amazing Grace
Highland Laddy - Traditional
Scotland the Brave - Traditional
Hills of Glenorchy - Traditional
Barry's Trip to Paris - Jerry Holland
Brenda Stubbert - Jerry Holland
Iggy and Squiggy - Jerry Holland
Johnny Muse's Reel - Jerry Holland
Oogly Googly - Vishten
And Lots and Lots More

Performance Schedule

Past Booked Dates:

05-04-2013 — Community Event, Antioch CA
03-22-2013 — Half Moon Bay, CA

Experience

2009: 8 gigs
2010: 10 gigs
2011: 10 gigs
2012: 15 gigs

View Complete Calendar

http://www.plaidmenagerie.com/#!show-schedule

Available for Your

Anniversary Party, Baby Shower, Bar/Lounge, Birthday Party, Bridal Shower, Christmas Party, Church Service, Club/Nightclub, Concert Venue, Convention, Corporate Event, Cruise, Ethnic Celebration, Fair, Festival, Fundraiser, Funeral Service, Graduation, Grand Opening, Holiday Party, Hotel, Launch Party, Luncheon/Tea, Parade, Private Party, Prom, Religious Celebration, Restaurant, Retreat, Reunion, Seminar, Sporting Event, Sweet 16 Party, Trade Show, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Reception, Workshop