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Community Corner

The Gnomes

Bristol’s Stone Church Coffee House at the First Congregational Church welcomes The Gnomes on Saturday, April 26th.

Travel around the world with lively Celtic, Caribbean, Klezmer, Scandinavian, Asian and Latin style tunes. The Gnomes features Phil Edmonds , Cathy
Clasper-Torch, Peter Breen, Mike Fischman and Ron Schmitt  who combine their varied and extensive musical backgrounds into arrangements that have been described as "exotic, fresh, unique."  

Cathy Clasper Torch has been 'fiddling around' since she began studying the violin at age 10, playing viola and piano and the family pump-organ as well. With a background in classical violin and jazz piano, she brings a spirit of improvisation and love of harmony to her fiddling.

Phil Edmonds, a native of Killaloe, Co. Clare, Ireland, learned to play the tin whistle in a place where he says, "The backyard was the fields." To children, Edmonds is known as 'The Leprechaun'. To some adults, he is referred to as 'Dr. Phil'. To new acquaintances who ask: "What does Phil do?," the only meaningful reply is "Phil Things."

Pete Breen, an accomplished and versatile bass player and singer, began his musical journey as a Suzuki-method violinist at the age of four. Taking up guitar at age twelve and bass at fifteen, some of his career highlights include working with the Wilson Blue and the Blue Roots Reggae Band.

Ron Schmitt has been a dance accompanist for Rhode Island College, Brown University and several other private studios in the Rhode Island and Boston areas since 1987. Ron plays several instruments including keyboard and bass, but plays world percussion with The Gnomes.

Mike Fischman has played in bluegrass, old timey, Irish, rock 'n roll, blues, acoustic folk, Dixieland, swing, jazz, country and western (both kinds) and now, for the second time, a world folk fusion band.

You can't help but "Get Gnomed" when you hear The Gnomes, winners of the 2008 and 2012 Motif  Magazine Music Award for Americana Act of  the Year. 

Bristol’s Stone Coffee House is an affordable, family-oriented, handicap-accessible musical venue. Doors open at 6:45PM and the show starts at 7:30PM. Tickets are available at the door. Light refreshments will be available for purchase. Tickets are $15.00 per person; students are half price; children 5 and under are free. For ticket information or to purchase tickets in advance, please call 253-4813 or 253-7288.

The First Congregational Church is located at 300 High Street (corner of High and Bradford Streets) in Bristol, RI.

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