Mountain City Traditional Arts to Present Scottish All Hallows’ Eve Celebration Nov. 8

Mountain City Traditional Arts to Present Scottish All Hallows' Eve Celebration Nov. 8

Oct 6, 2026 8:00 AM

Frostburg State University's Mountain City Traditional Arts (MCTA) will welcome Scottish fiddler and visual artist Louise Bichan and friends for a spooky, music filled All Hallows' Eve celebration on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 4 p.m.

The performance will feature music and folklore from Bichan's native Orkney Islands, including traditional Samhain customs, spooky tunes, folk tales and songs inspired by trowies, sea serpents and selkies. Audience members are encouraged to come in costume and join in the festive celebration.

Bichan, a Maine-based Scottish musician and visual artist, uses music and art to tell stories both old and new. Raised in the remote but culturally rich Orkney Islands, where music-making has long been an important part of community life, Bichan developed a deep connection to the traditions and stories of her homeland.

Her music is thoughtful, complex, curious and playful, drawing inspiration from her roots and the world around her. Through her compositions, she explores connections among people, nature, the past and the possibilities of the future.

Bichan's upcoming album, Binnorie, celebrates the lore of Scotland and the traditions surrounding All Hallows' Eve. The album is set for release Oct. 30 on Adhyâropa Records.

"I had a lot of fun pulling together a collection of music and folk tales, some I've grown up hearing and playing, some that I've written, and some which are new to me," said Bichan.

Bichan originally conceived the program for a Halloween tour in October 2025. Following enthusiastic audience response, including attendees dressing in costume, bringing carved neeps (turnips) and pumpkins, and joining in song, Bichan and her band decided to bring the celebration back for a 2026 tour and record much of the material for Binnorie.

"We had so much fun working on this music that we decided not only to tour it again, but to record much of the material we presented and release it on this new album," said Bichan. "Audiences in 2025 really got into the spirit of things, dressing up, bringing carved neeps (turnips) and pumpkins and joining us in song. We plan to make All Hallows' Eve an annual event, for this year and for many years hereafter!"

The 2026 All Hallows' Eve tour will travel through Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Washington, D.C.

Tickets for the MCTA performance may be reserved in advance by calling 301-687-8040 or 301-687-3124.

Mountain City Traditional Arts is a program of Frostburg State University and the Maryland Traditions Program of the Maryland State Arts Council.