The Open Book Coffeehouse

About the Open Book

The Open Book Coffeehouse continues its twelfth year offering live concerts. This year, due to the novel coronavirus, all of the concerts will be held virtually, via online platforms, because, well, the show must go on…line. This new way of presenting concerts will allow the Open Book Coffeehouse to share the music with anyone who has access to a computer, laptop, tablet, or smart phone. The concerts are free to all, and made possible by the support of the Friends of the Canton Public Library.

Coming up June 12, 2021, House of Hamill!

The Open Book Coffeehouse continues its 2020-2021 season with a live concert on Saturday evening, June 12, at 7:30 p.m., fusion Celtic duo House of Hamill. This year, due to the novel coronavirus, all of the concerts will be held virtually, via online platforms, because, well, the show must go on….line. This new way of presenting concerts will allow the Open Book Coffeehouse to share the music with anyone who has access to a computer, laptop, tablet, or smart phone. The concerts are free to all, and made possible by the support of the Friends of the Canton Public Library. The link for the concert will be available at the duo’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HouseofHamill and will be broadcast live from 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Rose Baldino and Brian Buchanan met 10 years ago, late one night backstage at a theatre in rural Pennsylvania.  Brian's band Enter The Haggis and Rose's group Burning Bridget Cleary were sharing a stage that evening, and the two bonded over a love of Irish fiddle tunes, Radiohead, and 4 AM whiskey. Their paths crossed a dozen times over the next decade on the road, but it wasn't until the Folk Alliance 2014 conference in Kansas City that they finally became musical collaborators. Burning Bridget Cleary's guitarist and drummer had their flights canceled at the last minute, and Rose (in desperation) asked Brian to grab a guitar and join her onstage. The two performed with virtually no rehearsal for over an hour, and their connection was powerful and immediate. A few months later Brian moved from Canada to Philadelphia, and as a tribute to the first tune Rose ever taught Brian, House of Hamill was born.

Brian and Rose are both accomplished traditional fiddle players and classical violinists, and despite being young, have over 25 years of writing and performance experience between them. Together, they write unusual new fiddle tunes and exciting, unpredictable original songs while also breathing new life into traditional and contemporary songs. Both are confident and unique lead vocalists, and the blend of their two voices in harmony is hypnotic and irresistible.

Donations may be made to the Friends of the Canton Public Library via the library website, by clicking the yellow “donate” button at https://library.canton.ma.us/187/Friends-of-the-Library. Donations to the performers may be made during the concert.