Concerts
Unless otherwise noted, all concerts take place in the intimate confines of our main instrument room at Dusty Strings Acoustic Music Shop, 3406 Fremont Ave. N., Seattle. Tickets may be purchased in advance by visiting us or by calling 206-634-1662 or (toll free) 866-634-1662. Cash, checks (payable to Dusty Strings), and Visa/MasterCard accepted.
- Mark Roberts, Dan Compton & Stanley Greenthal, 04/12
- Cornwall Harp Ensemble, 04/18
- The Downtown Mountain Boys, 04/19
- Kate Long & Robin Kessinger, 04/26
- Clawhammer Banjo Weekend Concert, 05/03
Mark Roberts, Dan Compton & Stanley Greenthal

Saturday, April 12th, 7:30 p.m., $18Mark Roberts and Dan Compton met at The Festival of American Fiddle Tunes many years ago. During their first session together they both happened to go into the reel "The Cottage in the Glen" simultaneously with nary a wink or a nod. That proved to be a sign of the simpatico music vibes they’ve shared ever since, up through their most recent collaboration on Robert’s new CD, The Gloup. In this concert the flute & fiddle pair are joined by nationally acclaimed Northwest songwriter and instrumentalist Stanley Greenthal. The three will combine their deep pool of experience in Celtic and other musics from around the world for a richly melodic and stirring evening of collaborative music.
Cornwall Harp Ensemble
Friday, April 18th, 7:30 p.m., $12Dusty Strings welcomes Sarah Deere-Jones and her Cornwall Harp Ensemble, seven harpers from the rugged Cornish coast in the southwest of the British Isles. The Ensemble will present a concert featuring the traditional harp music of Cornwall, a land of beautiful countryside, fascinating history, an ancient language, and a fine legacy of Celtic culture. The Cornwall Harp Ensemble performs an eclectic mix of classical, traditional and contemporary music in solo and ensemble settings. Formed by Deere-Jones in 2004, they were invited to perform at the Wales International Harp Festival in Caenarvon, and in Copenhagen, Denmark, with the 'Harpetræf' ensemble.
The Downtown Mountain Boys
Saturday, April 19th, 7:30 p.m., $18The DownTown Mountain Boys, the Pacific Northwest’s most exciting and accomplished bluegrass band, features veteran bluegrassers and recording artists Terrence Enyeart (bass, lead and harmony vocals), Dave Keenan (banjo, fiddle, lead and harmony vocals), Don Share (guitar, lead and harmony vocals), Tom Moran (mandolin), and Paul Elliott (fiddle). Victory Review recently called The DownTown Mountain Boys "the cream of Seattle-area pickers, top teachers, session musicians, and musicologists." The band’s recent recording Big Darlin’ was recently named one of the year’s best bluegrass recordings by Pete Goodall of KBCS.
Kate Long & Robin Kessinger
Saturday, April 26th, 7:30 p.m., $18Two of Appalachia's most-loved artists deliver a high-energy, thought- and laugh-filled evening with lots of audience participation. National flatpick guitar champion Robin Kessinger is a member of the legendary Kessinger family of old-time music. Kate Long's moving songs such as Who Will Watch the Homeplace have become new Appalachian standards. When these two mix dazzling traditional guitar classics with witty musical storytelling and new songs that sound old, “the feeling is down-to-earth, down-home, and deeply rooted,” as one presenter reported. “Expect to laugh, cry, think, and come away with a full heart.”
Clawhammer Banjo Weekend Concert
Bob Carlin, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer, and The Coattail Riders (Jeanie Murphy & Forrest Newton)
Saturday, May 3, 7:30 pm, $18
Hear three of the best old-time banjo players (as well as special guest Marcy Marxer on the banjo cello!) all in one event. This concert is part of the 4th Annual Dusty Strings Clawhammer Banjo Weekend, which takes place May 2-4 at Dusty Strings. See the Banjo Weekend page for more information.