On Friday, September 16, 2016 at 7:30pm The Dance Hall presents a traditional Irish music concert with The Press Gang. John Doyle, guitarist, and founding member of Solas, describes The Press Gang as one of those rare bands that are ingenious, driving, thoughtful and yet have great respect for the tradition. Formed in 2009, The Press Gang features Christian Stevens on concertina and button accordion, Alden Robinson on fiddle, and Owen Marshall on bouzouki, guitar, and harmonium. 

The new collaboration with award-winning singer and flute player Hanz Araki, delivers driving tunes, songs, and a deep love of the Irish musical tradition. Mastery of their instruments, and a laid back, humorous stage presence, make for a show that all can enjoy. With the shared namesake home bases of Portland, ME and Portland OR, Hanz and the Press Gang first met in the summer of 2011 at Maine Celtic Celebration. An immediate friendship between the four was struck, and the Portland to Portland alliance was formed.  About the band: Christian Stevens One of the most talented concertina and button accordion players in the United States, Chris Junior Stevens grew up in the multifaceted traditional music community around Boston and northern New England. Largely self-taught, he has developed a style of music that is at once deeply traditional and playfully inventive. He teaches a large number of students both at his home in Maine and elsewhere around the country. Alden Robinson Fiddler Alden Robinson became fascinated with Irish music as a child on the coast of Maine. As a young adult, he decided to further his interest and studied traditional music at University College Cork. Over the last decade, Alden returned to his roots in Maine has since become known throughout the country as a performer and dance musician. The reverence and thought he puts into his playing manifests into a repertoire that is all his own.  Hanz Araki Award-winning singer and flute player, Portland, Oregons Hanz Araki has been a prominent figure in the Irish music community in the Pacific Northwest and beyond for more than 2 decades. In that time he has released 10 albums, played countless festival stages, toured internationally, and collaborated with a number of well respected musicians within and outside of the Celtic music genre. Owen Marshall Vogue magazine calls musician Owen Marshall A guitar/mandolin/banjo player rivaled in character only by the occasional three-pronged carrot (Vogue 2009). Owen has accompanied and collaborated with many of traditional music's top performers including Aoife Clancy, Liz Carroll, Darol Anger, John Doyle, Andrea Beaton, Jerry Holland, Brittany Haas, and Joe Walsh. His music has appeared on NPR the Thistle and Shamrock, BBC television, and the back of his left elbow has appeared on MTV. In addition to being a respected performer, Owen is in demand at music camps throughout New England and the U.S., where he shares his approach to accompanying traditional music.

Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door and can be purchased at TheDanceHallKittery.org and Brownpapertickets.com