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Opening Night: Folk Meets Baroque

July 31 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Skaneateles Festival

Opening Night: Folk Meets Baroque

Thurs. July 31, 2025

7:30 PM

First Presbyterian Church of Skaneateles

get tickets (season passes on sale March 5, individual tickets on sale May 1)

Event Sponsored by:

Larry and Tracy Sala

This is your chance to hear Ruckus “the world’s only period instrument rock band” (San Francisco Classical Voice) as they join forces with up-and-coming violinist, Keir GoGwilt. Together they offer a folk-Baroque feast of dance music: classic trio sonatas by Corelli and Geminiani paired with 18th – century fiddle tunes by Scottish folk master Neil Gow, known as “the Scottish Corelli.” Vocalist Fiona Gillespie joins with a selection of Gaelic songs. Hear the energy and emotion of Baroque music come to life with “a fizzing, daring display of personality and imagination” (New York Times).

 

Program:

CORELLI Trio Sonatas, Op. 5, No. 1 and No. 6

GEMINIANI Four Scottish Airs

NEIL GOW Fiddle Tunes from Books of Strathspey Reels

TRADITIONAL Selection of Gaelic folk songs

Meet Ruckus

Meet Keir GoGwilt

Upcoming Events

“the world’s only period-instrument rock band.”

San Francisco Classical Voice

WEEKDAY EVENING CONCERTS

First Presbyterian Church

The facility was rebuilt in 1998 and the church committed to using the building as a community resource to provide space for and host various Art Shows and Music Festivals, Education programs, Co-ops, and Community based youth programs.
97 E. Genesee St, Skaneateles, NY 13152

Parking for the First Presbyterian Church along Genesee Street or in the municipal parking lot located behind M&T Bank on Genesee St. or Doug’s Fish Fry on Jordan. There is also free parking at Skaneateles High School.

From Syracuse and points east: Take Rte. 690 West to 695 West, then follow exit sign to Rte. 5 West. At the second light, turn left onto Rte. 321 (Bennetts Corners Road). Follow 321 until it ends in downtown Skaneateles. Turn left onto Genesee Street. The church is on the left, directly across from Lakeside Park and the Episcopal Church.

From Auburn and points west: Take Route 20 (Genesee Street) to Skaneateles. Go through the center village and the church will be on the left, directly across from Lakeside Park and the Episcopal Church.

SEATING
Doors open at 7:30pm – Concerts begin promptly at 8pm

The church is air-conditioned and the seats are cushioned church pews.

All seating is “first come, first served” with“A” ticket seating being designated in the front rows of the church and “B” ticket seating in the back ½ of the church.

FOOD AND DRINK
Light refreshments may be available for purchase at Intermission. There are many restaurants located in the Village within an easy walk or short drive of the church. See listing of “Friends of the Festival” restaurants.
HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY
We are happy to accommodate any accessibility needs of patrons and handicap seating is available in all price levels. Please call our office at 315-685-7418 so that we can ensure the best accommodations.
PREPARING
Attendance may be at capacity, so come early to assure yourselves of parking nearby and the seating you prefer.

Acoustics are outstanding in the church, so there are no bad seats sound-wise, but as with all venues, aisle seats may be at a premium.

Bathrooms are located in multiple locations at the church.

SKANEATELES FESTIVAL MERCHANDISE
A variety of Skaneateles Festival merchandise will be available for purchase before each concert and during intermission.

Guest artist CDs may be available on the nights they perform.

Credit cards and cash are both welcome.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND CELL PHONES
We would love for you to take lots of photos before and after the concerts and tag us on social media! We ask that you be considerate during the concert by silencing your phones and being aware of how your photography may be affecting your neighbors’ experience; we want everyone to enjoy the music in the moment. Please do not use flash during the concert.

There are a variety of ways to get tickets!

Presale tickets refer to all tickets that are sold before the day of the concert. There are no special requirements to be eligible to purchase presale tickets!

Order Online

order now

Order by Phone

315-685-7418
Click to Call

Order in Person

Skaneateles Festival Office
97 East Genesee Street
Hours: M-F 10am – 5pm

Purchase at the Door

On concert nights, if tickets are still available, they can be purchased at the venue entrance as follows:
First Pres. Church – side entrance off the parking lot – beginning at 7:30pm
Robinson Pavilion – tent near the Tasting Room – beginning at 6:00pm

Details

Date:
July 31
Time:
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Venue

First Presbyterian Church
97 East Genesee St
Skaneateles, NY 13152 United States + Google Map