Ruby John & Nic Gareiss

Genre: Traditional Folk, Old Time Music

You won’t want to miss the unique folk stylings of Ruby John & Nic Gareiss at their first time on an A2SF stage! Gareiss is a singer and step dancer, hailed by the New York Times for his “dexterous melding of Irish and Appalachian dance” and called “the most inventive and expressive step dancer on the scene” by the Boston Herald. A resident of Lansing, Michigan, Gareiss received the 2020 Michigan Heritage Award, the state’s highest honor bestowed on traditional artists. They are joined by Anishinaabe fiddler and a member of the Grand Traverse Band, Ruby John. Raised in Michigan’s traditional music community, she grew up immersed in local Irish sessions, contra and square dances, and old-time fiddle jamborees across the state. Her playing spans old-time, Métis, Irish, and French-Canadian styles, reflecting the diversity of the traditions she carries. This special collaboration is sure to be one for the old-time music ages!