4:00 PM: Red Brick Cafe, 8 Douglas St
Rowan Tree (co-presented with Music Weekends in Downtown Guelph)
PWYC at the door

Rowan Tree is a recently formed acoustic ensemble that like its namesake is steeped in the folklore of traditional songs and ballads. The Rowan Tree was revered magically by the ancient Celtic Druids for its strength and resilience, and legend states that it protected against baneful energies.

The band strives to fluidly bridge with other musicians in our community by frequently inviting guest performers. In a time when community is a statement and music the language of deep connection, Rowan Tree peacefully and magically unites musicians and audiences.

All three band members are seasoned performers. Amy Welsman-McCann is a multi-instrumentalist (guitar, mandolin, violin, piano,) whose classical skills have granted her to perform internationally in North America and the UK, (Ealing Guitar Society, 2013.) In her youth, she studied fingerstyle guitar with Toronto Blues recording artist Mose Scarlett. She has also performed for several Hillside festival functions in the local group The Hazy Maidens. (Hillside Inside 2024, Girls and Guitars, Gospel Hour.)

Stephen Vickery has been active in the Canadian music scene as an acoustic bass player since 1985 with notable performances including Mariposa Folk Festival, Lunenburg Folk Harbour, WOMAD, and the Vancouver Jazz festival. He also composes music on guitar.

Bernd Licht is a skilled bluegrass mandolinist and guitarist who has played with many local groups including Zamboni Jiver (1994-2001) and Chesterfield and the Sofakings (2009-2019).

Rowan Tree is presently in studio recording their first collection to be released in 2025.