Celtic Show Coming to Bishop Hill

Bishop Hill, IL — Crossroads Cultural Connections is excited to present Blame Not the Bard (BNTB) in concert on Friday, February 13 at Bishop Hill Creative Commons. The evening begins with an optional potluck dinner at 6:00 PM (bring a dish to share if you’d like to join), followed by the concert at 7:00 PM. This is an all-ages show, with a suggested donation of $20–30.

Since 2015, BNTB has captivated audiences with fiery instrumentals, heartfelt songs, and captivating stories—bringing a fresh, modern energy to traditional Celtic music while also showcasing powerful original compositions. Their dynamic performances have lit up stages across nine states, from intimate listening rooms to major festivals such as Kansas City Irish Fest and Iowa Irish Fest, earning them a growing national following.

BNTB has received significant media attention, including features in Little Village Magazine, artist spotlights on KDEC 100.5, numerous appearances on the award-winning Irish and Celtic Music Podcast: CeolPlay with Colum King, and a full-length Iowa PBS special, Greetings from Iowa.

The band features an exceptional lineup of musicians:

Dan Vaughn (whistle, flute, guitar) is one of the Midwest’s premier Irish wind players. Based in Iowa City, he has performed with artists and groups such as Gaelic Storm, Flook, and members of Solas. A multiple-time Mid West Fleadh champion, Vaughn competed in the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Letterkenny, Ireland, and brings deep tradition and electrifying energy to the group.

Nicole Philbrick (fiddle, vocals, mandolin) is a dynamic, multi-genre fiddler known for blending classical technique with the drive and groove of Celtic fiddle. A sought-after performer and educator, she has appeared on major Midwest stages and orchestral venues and is deeply committed to music education through her work at JA Clair School of Music.

Andrew Philbrick (vocals, tenor banjo, bass) founded BNTB to bring more Irish music into his life and community. With a background in classical performance and a passion for traditional song, Andrew’s leadership and musicianship anchor the band’s sound and spirit.

This concert promises an evening of high-energy Celtic music, rich storytelling, and joyful connection—an unforgettable winter gathering at Bishop Hill Creative Commons.

Chloe Kimes to Perform in Bishop Hill

Bishop Hill, IL — Crossroads Cultural Connections is pleased to present Chloe Kimes in concert at Bishop Hill Creative Commons on Wednesday, January 28. The evening will begin with an optional potluck dinner at 6:00 PM (guests are welcome to bring a dish to share), followed by the concert at 7:00 PM. This is an all-ages show, with a suggested donation of $20–30, all of which supports the artist.

Chloe Kimes has quickly become one of the most compelling new voices in contemporary folk and alt-country. Her rise reached a turning point after a live performance of her song “Coors Light” at WDVX’s Blue Plate Special in Knoxville went viral, amassing more than 4 million views across social media in just one week. Responding to overwhelming demand, Kimes moved swiftly—recording the studio version at RCA Studio A with producer Phillip Smith and releasing the single within weeks of its online debut.

Rooted in the songwriting traditions of John Prine, John Hartford, and Tom T. Hall, “Coors Light” radiates joy, gratitude, and authenticity. Driven by a ripping mandolin and a classic country lineup—pedal steel, upright bass, acoustic guitar, and drums—the song has drawn in countless new listeners, many commenting, “I never liked country music until I heard this.”

Born and raised along the lakeshores of northern Michigan, Kimes grew up immersed in folk festivals, family harmonies, and rural back roads. She built a devoted following by touring small Michigan towns from the age of fourteen before relocating to Nashville in 2016 to pursue her career full time. Since then, she has emerged as a defining voice of a new generation of folk-singing troubadours—pairing an old-soul approach to storytelling with the energy of a modern alt-country band.

Kimes released her self-titled debut album in 2022 to wide acclaim, earning comparisons to Lucinda Williams, a spot on NPR Music’s Top 10 Nashville Artists on the Rise, and Listener’s Choice Album of the Year honors from WYCE Radio’s Jammie Awards. Following in the footsteps of fellow Michigan-to-Nashville artists, she continues to forge a powerful, genre-bridging sound that is resonating with audiences nationwide.

Bishop Hill Creative Commons invites the community to experience Chloe Kimes’ powerful songwriting and dynamic live performance in an intimate setting that emphasizes connection, listening, and shared experience.

Dallahan Returns to the U.S. for First Tour in a Decade

Bishop Hill Creative Commons is proud to present Dallahan in concert on Friday, January 16th, marking the band’s first U.S. tour in ten years. The evening will begin with an optional community potluck dinner at 6:00 PM (bring a dish to share if you’d like to join), followed by the concert at 7:00 PM. This is an all-ages show, with a suggested donation of $20–30, all of which goes directly to the artists.

Forged out of the traditional music scenes of Scotland and Ireland, Dallahan have spent more than a decade carving out a bold, genre-defying sound influenced by the Balkans, North America, and beyond. Their music blends deep traditional roots with restless creativity, resulting in a live show known for its stunning virtuosity, dynamic arrangements, and global perspective.

The band—Jack Badcock (guitar, vocals), Ciaran Ryan (banjo), Andrew Waite (accordion), and Benedict Morris (fiddle)—burst onto the international stage with their 2014 debut When The Day Is On The Turn, hailed by fRoots as “the most exciting Irish music I’ve heard in a long time… Lúnasa for the new generation.” What followed was extensive touring across Europe, North America, and beyond, with appearances at major festivals including Celtic Connections (Scotland), Milwaukee Irish Fest (USA), Woodford Folk Festival (Australia), and many more.

Dallahan quickly earned critical acclaim, receiving the Emerging Excellence Award from Help Musicians UK and multiple Album of the Year nominations at the Scots Trad Music Awards. Their follow-up releases—Matter of Time (2016), Smallworld (2019), and Speak of the Devil (2023)—document a band continually evolving while remaining grounded in tradition. Along the way, they’ve performed in 25 countries, collaborated with artists ranging from Dougie MacLean to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and built a devoted international following.

Now, after a decade away from U.S. stages, Dallahan returns with a sound that is seasoned, adventurous, and unmistakably their own. This concert offers a rare opportunity to experience one of the most compelling contemporary folk bands in the world—up close, in an intimate setting.

Event Details:
📍 Bishop Hill Creative Commons, Bishop Hill, IL
🗓 Friday, January 16
🍽 Optional Potluck/Social Hour: 6:00 PM
🎶 Concert: 7:00 PM
💵 Suggested Donation: $20–30
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All Ages Welcome

For tickets and more information please visit xroadscc.org.

Award Winning Blues Artists Coming to Bishop Hill

Bishop Hill, IL — Bishop Hill Creative Commons is excited to welcome award-winning blues rock artist Amanda Fish with opening act Jerm Theory for an electrifying night of live music on Sunday, January 11. The evening will begin with an optional potluck dinner at 6:00 PM (guests are invited to bring a dish to share), followed by the concert at 7:00 PM. This is an all-ages show, with a suggested donation of $20–30, with all proceeds going directly to the artists.

Born and raised in the rich musical landscape of Kansas City, Amanda Fish has built a powerful reputation for her fearless blend of blues rock and Americana, driven by impassioned vocals, swampy guitar work, and a groove-heavy rhythm section. Since forming her band in 2014, Fish has released a string of acclaimed albums on the Vizztone Label Group, quickly establishing herself as one of the most compelling voices in modern blues.

Her debut album Down In The Dirt earned her the 2016 Sean Costello Rising Star Blues Blast Music Award, followed by her sophomore release Free, which won the 2019 Blues Music Award for Best Emerging Artist Album and debuted at #6 on the Billboard Blues Chart. Fish’s most recent album, Kingdom (2024), has been described as “a journey of faith, redemption, and hope against a backdrop of chaos and upheaval.” The record reached #1 on the Roots Music Report Blues Rock chart, with four singles charting simultaneously in the Top 20, including “Mockingbird,” which hit #1 on SiriusXM Bluesville’s Rack of Blues Countdown for two consecutive weeks.

Amanda Fish has toured extensively across the U.S. and Canada, performing at legendary venues such as Buddy Guy’s Legends, Ground Zero Blues Club, and Knuckleheads, as well as major festivals nationwide. She currently resides in Nashville and is touring in support of Kingdom.

Opening the evening is Jerm Theory, whose blues-rock sound and high-energy performances have been earning a growing regional following.

Bishop Hill Creative Commons invites music lovers to kick off the new year with a night of soulful, high-powered blues rock in an intimate, community-centered setting.

For tickets and more information please visit xroadscc.org.