This March, Rockport Music presents performances by the Americana trio Red Molly, folk singer Crystal Bowersox and the Irish Baroque Orchestra with internationally renowned baroque violinist Monica Huggett.

On Friday, March 7 at 8 pm, the Irish Baroque Orchestra (IBO) led by internationally known Baroque violinist and Artistic Director Monica Huggett will perform a program of “Ireland’s Golden Age,” a fascinating snapshot of the musical scene in 18^th century Dublin, when composers from all over Europe converged on the city seeking inspiration and patronage.  Ensemble-in-residence at the National Concert Hall Dublin, the IBO perform only on Baroque instruments or modern replicas and seeks to re-create the original performance styles of the Baroque period. Known internationally as one of the foremost Baroque violinists and conductors of our time, Monica Huggett has been a tireless champion of Baroque music for the last three decades. She also serves as artistic director of the Portland Baroque Orchestra and was the inaugural artistic director of The Juilliard School’s Historical Performance Program.  Her expertise in the musical and social history of the Baroque Era is unparalleled among performing musicians and the Irish Times hails that, “the IBO’s playing…was utterly delectable” and that “Huggett showed a fondness for driving into music with a sense of edginess, of danger, of adrenaline-fuelled excitement.” IBO’s “Golden Age” program includes works by Handel, Vivaldi, Geminiani, Pasquali, Turlough Carolan and many more.  Tickets: $39-$58

On Saturday, March 15 at 8 pm, Americana trio Red Molly, known for their gorgeous three-part harmonies blending bluegrass with a touch of western swing, will bring audiences to their feet with crisp musicianship and warm, engaging stage presence. The band consists of Laurie MacAllister (bass, banjo), Abbie Gardner (dobro, banjo), and Molly Venter (guitar). This past year, the ladies were invited to open for music legend Willie Nelson and they performed at the venerable RockyGrass festival in Colorado. Their new CD Light in the Sky spent 20 weeks on the Americana Music Association’s Top 40 radio chart and charted as Folk DJ’s #3 Top Album of 2012. The Boston Globe hails the group’s, “tick-tight arrangements, crystalline vocals and caramel harmonies” (The Boston Globe).  Tickets: $18-$32

Crystal Bowersox performs at the Shalin Liu Performance Center on Friday, March 28 at 8 pm.  While best known as a beloved American Idol finalist, Crystal has since proven to be more than simply a gifted singer with soul and dreadlocks. She’s blossomed into a widely respected and strikingly independent artist and songwriter. Since her season on American Idol, Bowersox has released two new records, the most recent being the country/soul accented All That for This in 2013, which opened to widespread critical acclaim and boasted a guest duet with Jakob Dylan. This past fall, she branched out into Broadway, playing the lead role in Always, Patsy Cline. Combining her powerful and dynamic vocals with her remarkably mature songwriting, Bowersox is described as, “bluesy and soulful, with a voice incapable of artifice…” (The Washington Post). Tickets: $25-$39 (Special VIP Meet & Greet $89 including Tier 1 ticket)

Don’t wait to get your tickets!