CCV has just returned from another incredible experience at the Clifden Arts Festival in the stunning Connemara region of Ireland. This marked our fourth year collaborating with the festival to share the rich musical traditions of America’s diverse cultural communities with Irish audiences.
This year, we were thrilled to bring back one of our favorite artists, Danny Knicely, who debuted a vibrant new collaboration with two outstanding Brazilian-American musicians: seven-string guitarist César Garabini and vocalist/percussionist Fernanda Bravo.
All photos on this page by Karen Cox.
This was Danny’s third consecutive year performing at the festival, and as always, he brought something entirely new to the table. But this year also came with an unexpected twist.
Just a week before the festival, we learned that César might not be able to make the trip. After an intense search for a suitable stand-in with comparable talent, we went deep down the rabbit hole of the internet and discovered Kevin Shortall—a Brazilian-born musician with a fascinating story. Kevin, who plays guitar, bouzouki, and cavaquinho, is the son of a Brazilian mother and a father from North Dublin. He relocated to Ireland to study Irish music at the University of Limerick and was enthusiastic to join the project on short notice.
Kevin also introduced us to the brilliant Brazilian flutist Mila Maia, who has been actively performing in what we’ve come to learn is a thriving Brazilian community in County Galway.
To complete our ever-expanding ensemble, we brought along Charlottesville-based fiddler Julia Kwolyk, transforming our original trio into a powerhouse sextet.
We’re continually amazed by the magic that happens when open-minded, talented artists from different traditions come together—and this collaboration was no exception. The group’s sold-out performance was a genre-bending journey that wove together American bluegrass with Brazilian samba, choro, and bossa nova, creating a musical tapestry that was as joyful as it was seamless.
Beyond their performances at the festival and at a local community school, CCV Executive Director Jon Lohman also gave a talk on our mission and his broader work as former Virginia State Folklorist—highlighting the power of cultural sustainability to foster empathy, connection, and kindness in communities. His message deeply resonated with the Irish audience.
So what will we bring to Clifden next year?
Stay tuned — you won’t want to miss it.
