Thistle & Rose: A Celtic-Balkan Fusion
Friday, November 20, 2026 | 7 PM (Doors Open 6:30 PM)
Pay-what-you-choose between $15-$40 ($30 Suggested) | General Admission
About Thistle and Rose
Experience Thistle and Rose: A Celtic-Balkan Fusion, a captivating evening of live music and dance that brings together the sounds, rhythms, and movement traditions of Scotland and the Balkans. Inspired by historical connections between Celtic and Balkan peoples, this innovative production celebrates both the beauty of cultural traditions and the creativity that emerges when they intersect.
The performance begins with lively showcases of traditional Scottish and Bulgarian music and dance, featuring Highland and Bulgarian instruments, singers, and dancers. The evening then .unfolds into an original fusion work led by bagpiper and composer James Johnson, blending Celtic melodies with the energetic rhythms and unexpected meters of Balkan folk music.
Performed by more than 35 musicians, singers, and dancers from some of the Twin Cities' most respected folk ensembles, Thistle and Rose offers a rich, immersive experience filled with powerful music, dynamic movement, and surprising artistic connections.