Event

Traveler's Dream

Band members Michael Lewis and Denise Wilson delight audiences with lively Irish jigs and reels, French-Canadian voyageur songs, spirited sea shanties, and ballads that capture the heart and history of many cultures. Nestled alongside this vibrant canon of music are original songs that are often inspired by the beauty of the Midwestern landscape and the relationships people have with the land and with each other.

With rich and expressive voices and a wide array of traditional and modern instruments, Traveler's Dream creates a rich and diverse tapestry of sound. The clear and bright tones of the concertina, tin whistle, and mandolin create a fresh counterpoint to the deep and haunting sound of the Irish flute. Driving rhythms on the guitar, bouzouki and Quebecois-style foot percussion create a boundless energy that bond performer and audience together. Frequently audience members approach Michael Lewis after performances to ask how he does the "stepping," -- particularly while playing the guitar and singing at the same time. He replies, "All you need is a wooden floor or board, a pair of leather-soled shoes, and a lot of practice to keep a steady rhythm going!"

More than talented multi-instrumentalists, Lewis and Wilson are also dynamic performers who charm audiences with their spontaneous humor, storytelling skills, and enthusiasm for the music they play. Their authenticity and warmth fully engages listeners-pulling them into a circle of shared experience that is as unexpected and refreshing as the music itself.