• Facebook
• YouTube

Traditional music sessions in the valley happen at the following times:

-Sundays in Wolfville (hosted by Jenny), Paddy’s Pub on the Main Street, 7:30 pm
-Tuesdays in Kentville (hosted by Dennis Robinson), Paddy’s Pub on Aberdeen, 7 pm
-2nd Saturday of each month in Lawrencetown (hosted by Scott Henderson), Bee’s Knees General Store, 3 pm
-Saturdays in Port Williams (hosted by Delhaven), The Brig & Barq Taproom, 7:30

Traditional musicians and dancers are welcome and encouraged to drop in at any of these sessions.

Here are some learning opportunities:

–The weekly tune learning workshop happens each Sunday, from 6:15 – 7:15 pm, at Paddy’s Pub in Wolfville (upstairs and out of earshot!). It is approximately intermediate level, open to the various melody instruments within the tradition, and the fee is pay-what-you-can (suggested $20).

–Irish set dancing, organized by Pat Loughnane, is held at Bishop Hall, in Greenwich, from 1:00 – 3:00 pm every Thursday (and is a great deal at only $5).

–Scott Henderson gives a tune workshop ahead of his monthly session in Lawrencetown, from 2-3 pm. Scott also teaches uilleann and highland piping lessons privately.

–Private lessons, both online and in person when covid restrictions allow, are available.

As Jenny’s Nana, and many wise people will say, “To become a better musician, learn dancing. To become a better dancer, learn music.”

REGULAR, WEEKLY GIGS!

Curious to know more bits and bobs about what goes on there? Check out Jenny’s SESSION FAQ page which was put together as requested by the publican himself, Brian Fitzgerald.

UPCOMING DATES

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 26th-29th
A bucket list item for me, The Deep Roots Music Festival has asked me to perform for the first time, and in a few capacities, for their program this year.
On the Friday, Delhaven will play some of our classic songs and sets of tunes.
On the Saturday, I’ve been charged with organizing and performing in concert in tribute to Kings County’s own musicologist, Carrie Spinney Grover, and I’ll even bring in the Fundy Céilí Band.
On the Sunday, it’s Protest Songs, bright and early in the morning!

Friday, September 12th
I’m delighted to again be part of the annual Annapolis Valley Set Dance Festival. I’ll be debuting my new musical project, The Fundy Céilí Band. There’ll be lots of dancing, and a couple other great bands to hear!

Saturday, May 24th
I’ll be glad to return to the stage of the Halifax Celtic Festival, with Delhaven. The festival is free to the public, and there’ll be plenty of great acts new and old to enjoy throughout the week. I have some new compositions I’m looking forward to sharing, Morgan has some new songs, and we’re excited to have Scott Henderson back on stage with us, playing his new(ish) set of uilleann pipes.
7 pm, location TBA

Thursday, March 20th
Delighted to present at Acadia Universities lecture series, which runs each Thursday at 1 pm.
I’ll attempt to share some traditional music and adjacent stories, with the help of musicians associated with my merry band of maggots, Delhaven: Morgan Davison (singer, bodhrán, whistles), Scott Henderson (uilleann piper), Elizabeth MacDonald (sean nós/old-style step dancer) the universities own Dr Jeff Hennessy (piano, guitar, perhaps some accordion), and a shmattering of local set dancers.
1 pm, location TBA

Monday, March 17th
Myself / Delhaven are looking forward to hosting a St Patricks Day session at the Port Taproom. It’s an open session, come along with your fiddle, accordion, whistle, banjo…. for some jigs and reels! Or, come along for pints and great craic.
980 Terry’s Creek Road, Port Williams

Monday, March 17th
One of the places you’ll find me on St Patricks Day is down in Paddy’s Pub itself, with the Canning Ramblers – a group composed of my musical godfather, Dennis Robinson (accordion, fiddle), Ashlyne MacRae (step dancer, fiddle), Morgan Davison (bodhran, singing, whistle, guitar), and myself. We’ll be banging out the tunes and songs from 4-7 bells!
460 Main Street, Wolfville

Friday, January 24th
Come out to The Church Brewery for a R.E.M. tribute show (and enjoy their fine fare, too!) Jenny will lend a hand for some string part to Jeff Hennessy, and the other parts will be flushed out with a full band. Tickets can be purchased here.
10 pm, The Church Brewery
329 Main Street, Wolfville

Thursday, August 8th
Jenny and her band of miscreants, Delhaven, are teaming up with the Old Orchard Inn to organize a ceílí, fundraising for Chrysalis House, which is a charity that helps women and children move forward from domestic abuse situations.

Tickets are $20 at the door, or you can purchase ahead of time here for a discounted rate. You may also bring an item for donation directly to the charity, the bake sale, or the silent auction, and admittance will be $15.

Saturday, July 27th
Jenny will collaborate with fellow harpist and multi instrumentalist, Johanne McInnis, for a special concert on Kingsport Bluffs Beach, as part of the 2024 Harp Meditation Yoga Festival. The festival will feature lots of yoga, meditative sound, Mi’kmaq teachings and more, with a focus on mindfulness, health and environment.
7 pm, Kingsport Beach

Tuesday, July 2nd, 8-11 pm
Jenny – and her friendly Delhaven bandmates – will throw a summer ceílí at The Old Triangle. The evening will feature Elizabeth MacDonald calling social dances, and exhilarating playing of guest musician, Graham Wells, who is doing a short musical visit from Newfoundland.
Bonus: Graham will offer a tune workshop from 7-8 pm.
The Old Triangle
5136 Prince Street, Halifax

Monday, July 1st, 6-7 pm
Jenny and bandmates in Delhaven will offer up some music on Canada Day at Ross Creek Centre for the Arts. Special guests include Newfoundland accordionist, Graham Wells, and sean-nós step dancer, Elizabeth MacDonald.
6-7 pm
555 Ross Creek Road, Kings Co. Nova Scotia

Saturday, June 15th, 5 pm – 9 pm
SET DANCING CEILI
There’s lots of things can be meant by the term ceílí or ceilidh. It has also come to be a beautiful, feminine name, often anglicized to Kaylee (or similar).

At its core, the “ceílí” or “ceilidh” simply means a get together or visit – but it does often imply that there’d be some traditional music and dancing of one kind or another happening. Typically the dancing involved is of a social nature, rather than performative. Cape Breton ceilidh dances happen mostly in Cape Breton, of course, but there is a great scene for them happening in Halifax now, too. There’s also “ceílí dancing”, one of many forms of Irish dancing, which is very approachable for anyone with no experience at all, and yet, still very enjoyable for people who even dance professionally. If you wanted to look on YouTube for examples, a very popular Scottish ceilidh dance might be “Strip the Willow”, and a common enough Irish ceílí dance you might see would be “The Siege of Ennis”.

“Set Dancing” is slightly more complex patterns, but still very accessible, and if you’ve no experience, partnering up with a dancer who does will easily get you through with lots of craic had. You could search YouTube for the “Ballyvourney Jigs”. Set dancing is where the American variant, square dancing, takes its origins from. For anyone who enjoys puzzles, meeting new people, music or any sort of dancing at all, it’s nearly impossible to not enjoy!

A “set dancing” ceili simply means a get together where several dances in this specific genre will happen. There’s a wonderful, local community of friendly dancers who set dance each week, and if that interests you, please get in touch with me, I’d be happy to direct you towards getting in touch/dancing with them/answering questions.

Since this one is something of an end of season celebration with live music etc, there is a door fee of $15 to cover expenses. The music will feature Jenny, Jane Lombard (accordion), Mairi Chaimbeul (piano), Kevin Roach (tenor banjo), and Morgan Davison (bodhran).
Bishop Hall, Greenwich
10032 Trunk 1, Wolfville

Wednesday, June 12th, 9 pm
KITCHEN PARTY with the Faculty of Divinity at Acadia University!
Jenny will bring along her fiddle, concertina … and friends JP MacNeil (rhythm guitar), Kevin Roach (tenor banjo, fiddle, mandolin), Morgan Davison (bodhrán, vocals, whistle), and Elizabeth MacDonald (percussive dance/sean-nós dancer). While this is a private event, it’s worthwhile to note these events on here now and again, and let people know that such things are very enjoyable and possible for you to book in for. In this case, we’re delighted to make it possible to facilitate the sharing of music that other party goers may want to do – providing a sound system and happy to accompany a few tunes on the fly, and look after the rest of the evenings entertainment.

Monday, June 10th, 6 pm
Join Jenny, Scottish harpist extraordinaire Mairi Chaimbeul, and sean-nós dancer Elizabeth MacDonald at Grawood.
6136 University Avenue, Halifax

Saturday, May 25th, 2 pm and 7 pm
Jenny teams up with the Annapolis Valley Honours Choir for their spring concert.
Horton High School Performance Centre,
75 Greenwich Road South, Wolfville

Saturday, April 20th, 9 pm
Jenny – and the rest of Delhaven – play the Halifax Celtic Festival. Joining them on stage are special guests Elizabeth MacDonald (sean-nós dancer) and Ellen Gibling (harpist).
The Spatz Theatre
1855 Trollope Street, Halifax

Saturday, January 20th, 7-10 pm
First dance of 2024! Dances will be called by Elizabeth MacDonald. Jenny will be joined by musicians Morgan Davison and Décota McNamara.
All Nations Church Hall
2535 Robie Street, Halifax

Saturday, December 9th, 7:30 – 10 pm
Jenny, Décota McNamara and Morgan Davison will lash out some very happy tunes for you to dance to. Contra dances will be called by Kat Kitching!
All Nations Church Hall
2535 Robie Street, Halifax

Saturday, December 1st, 2 pm AND 7 pm
Join Jenny – and the rest of the Delhaven team – as they pair up with the Annapolis Valley Honours Choir for carols and winter themed music full of warmth and cheer. Tickets, if there’s any left, can be purchased here!

Saturday, October 28th, 6-9 pm
Join Jenny and friends Michael Roddy (uilleann pipes and whistles), Jeremy Finney (fiddle, concertina, guitar) Morgan Davison (vocals and guitar) and dancer Elizabeth MacDonald for a Hallowe’en ceílí (which means party! and dancing!) Some dances will be called/taught and there’ll be home baked treats.
Horton Ridge Malthouse 2504 Ridge Road, Wolfville

Thursday, October 18th, 7-10 pm
Jenny joins friends Décota MacNamara (guitar) and Mark Currie (bodhrán) down to Durty Nelly’s for some lightening speed reels and city slicker jigs.
1645 Argyle Street, Halifax

Saturday, 26th of August, 7-9:30 pm
“Music in the Orchard”
Join us for an open air concert hosted by the Annapolis Valley Folk School.
Admission for this concert is barter-based. You can read more here.
1963 Clarence Road, Paradise, Nova Scotia

Thursday, 24th of August, 7 pm
Jenny, along with singer Morgan Davison and step dancer Dane George, will perform some pieces collected by Nova Scotian ethnomusicologists Helen Creighton and Carrie Grover at a special tribute concert, feature some of Jenny’s music students and we’ll have a helping of selections from other local traditional musicians.
The Al Whittle Theatre,
http://www.alwhittletheatre.ca
450 Main Street, Wolfville

Saturday, 19th of August, 2-4 pm
Catch Jenny with Delhaven amid their familiar companions – draft horses, donkeys, oxen – at the Halifax County Exhibition! Lots to see and do, a great event for all ages. We’re delighted to have special guest, Graham Wells, from Newfoundland joining us – a legend of an accordionist and old friend.
Please note that this is not at the Exhibition Centre in Halifax but out in Middle Musquodoboit
190 Exhibition Grounds Road, Middle Musquodoboit

Saturday, 24th of June
Jenny and the rest of Delhaven will host their first annual “Gaylidh”: a ceilidh to celebrate Pride Month, the equality and validity of the many ways of loving other people, and the queer members of the band. We’ll have the fab dancer Jordan Chowen along, as well as it being the first official gig with Freya Milliken.
Music, Dancing, Beer, and NO COVER.
Horton Ridge Malthouse, Wolfville
8pm onwards



Saturday, 27th of May
Jenny and the rest of Delhaven will give a smattering of tunes at the Wolfville Farmers Market
9-12

Saturday, 22nd of April
The Halifax Celtic Festival welcomes Jenny & the rest of Delhaven on their main stage
The Halifax Forum
8pm



Saturday, 18th of March
Scott Henderson Delhaven and Jenny will entertain shoppers at the long standing Wolfville Farmers Market. Come say hello!

Saturday, 11th of March
Catch Jenny (and possibly a musically inclined friend) at the Wolfville Farmers Market. Take in traditional music while enjoying the produce, preserves, woollen goods and more produced in the agricultural stronghold of Nova Scotia.

Saturday, 25th of February
Joining Pat Madden at the Halifax Brewery Market. They’ll give a good lash of jigs and reels to help you finish out one of the coldest months. Warm drinks and tasty food abound… 11:30 – 1 pm

Saturday, 18th of February
Playing with fiddler and banjoist, Pat Madden, at the lovely Seaport Market in Halifax.
12-2 pm

Saturday, 28th of January
Catch Jenny along with Pat Madden playing a few sets 11-2 at the Halifax Brewery Market and take in art, fresh produce, great cheese and more. Pat is an emotive, laid back player of both Irish tenor banjo and fiddle and the sound, coupled with Jenny’s harp accompaniment, should set the tone for a happy weekend.

Saturday, 17th of December
Christmas Ceili with the fine folks of the Tír na nÓg dance school, a welcome occasion to kick up your heels & enjoy a meal together. Jenny will join Andy Webster, Scott Henderson and Morgan Davison on a smattering of high energy tunes. Niamh Webster on the hook for calling the dances.
6-9 pm
Louis Millet Centre, 9489 Commercial Street, New Minas, Nova Scotia

Friday, 9th of December
Jenny’s trio, Delhaven, lashing out tunes at the Sydney Street Pub
7:30 – 10:00 pm
14 Sydney Street, Digby, Nova Scotia

Sunday, 4th of December
Jenny plays with Kevin Roach (banjo, fiddle, mandolin), Jane Lombard (button accordion, bouzouki) & Morgan Davison (vocals, whistle, bodhrán)
3 – 5 pm
Sourwood Cidery, 5576 Cornwallis Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Friday, 14th of October
Jenny’s freshly formed band, Delhaven, will have tunes on offer at the Sydney Street Pub
7:30 – 10 pm
14 Sydney Street, Digby, Nova Scotia

Weekend of 23rd – 25th September
Gaeilge sa Ghleann Festival – workshops, talks and performances in spoken Gaeilge, sean nós step dancing and traditional music. Catch Jenny at the following times:

Friday, 23rd September, 7 pm – All instrument tune workshop, come learn a jig or reel
Saturday, 24th September, 11 am – Teaching sean nós step dance for beginners
Saturday, 24th September, 4 pm – Lecture: “Exploring Irish Harp and Uilleann Pipes”
Saturday, 24th September, 7 pm – Open Session

Please check out www.gleann.ca to see the full list of festival activities.

Saturday, 7th of September
Jenny, Scott Henderson (pipes, flute, whistles), and Paul O’Brien (bouzouki, guitar, bodhrán) will give an outdoor concert
Oqwa’titek Amphitheatre, Annapolis Royal
1-3 pm

Saturday, 20th of August
Join Jenny and friends for an open air concert
Oqwa’titek Amphitheatre, Annapolis Royal
1-3 pm

Saturday, 16th of April
Joining singer and multi instrumentalist, Adam Ruzzo;
Annapolis Brewing Company, Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia
7-10 pm


Saturday, 28th of May
Spring Ceili with Cumann an Ghleanna, the Gaeilge language association of the Annapolis Valley; free will donation at the door. Music by Ted Leighton (uilleann pipes), Scott Henderson (flute) and Rob Kehler (piano accompaniment).
St Luke’s Parish Hall, Annapolis Royal
6 pm – supper
8 pm – céilí dancing


Wednesday, 8th of June
Online session and guitar accompaniment class, with Andy Webster, creator of The Beating Hearth. Learn the ins and outs of how to thoughtfully accompany traditional music on your guitar, meet other like minded folk and enjoy discussion of music.
9:45 – 10:30 am ADT

Wednesday, 29th of June
Another online session and lesson on guitar accompaniment with Andy Webster. If you’ve interest in learning to play guitar in a traditional music setting, session, and accompany dance tunes, Andy is a wonderful teacher to learn from and you can get in touch with him through www.thebeatinghearth.com