Dynamic Duo of Fiddling

Tonight, Feb. 24, at 8 p.m. KCT Concerts opens its 2012 season at the Katharine Cornell Theatre in Vineyard Haven. There really is no need to say any more as all of KCT’s performers are tops in their field, often leaning to the Irish or traditional music. Fiddle players as top billers, finally.

But go on we shall, out of sheer pleasure.

Tonight’s performers are two fiddle players who earned their strings playing in separate bands: Brittany Haas of Crooked Still and Lauren Rioux from Darol Anger’s Republic of Strings. They are combining forces now and bringing with them an extensive knowledge of Appalachian music, and unafraid of giving the tradition a contemporary spin.

The ladies look young but they have decades of experience between them.

Ms. Rioux has toured for years and her debut album All the Brighter came out last year to rave reviews. She also teaches violin in her home state of Maine to students age 5 to 70.

Ms. Hass began touring at the age of 14. Later, while she continued touring, she simultaneously studied baboons in the evolutionary biology department of Princeton University.

Doesn’t everyone.

She has also played fiddle on Steve Martin’s Grammy award-winning CD, The Crow, and performed in his band on David Letterman and Saturday Night Live.

For more information about tonight’s show and the upcoming KCT Concerts lineup, visit kctconcerts.com.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, and children are free.