Author: Uncle Stu

Watercolor artist. Folk musician. Lucky husband. Incomplete angler. Student of the art of living.

Party for Paddy with the Weeds

March 3 2023 – Niles CA: Shamrock Shindig (DETAILS)
March 5 2023 – Los Osos CA: Party for Paddy (DETAILS)
March 10 2023 – Mt Shasta CA: Party for Paddy postponed due to weather.
March 11 2023 – Auburn CA: House Concert (DETAILS)
March 12 2023 – Pacific Grove CA (DETAILS)
March 18 2023 – Pacifica CA (DETAILS)

This special St. Patrick’s Day celebration concert will trace the traditional music of the Emerald Isle to the New World, and emphasize the passing of musical traditions from the older to the younger generation. Watch the folk process unfold as John Weed and “Uncle” Stuart Mason, two members of West Coast Celtic power house Molly’s Revenge and Nordic band New World String Project, pass this musical lineage to next-gen banjo, mandolin, and fiddle wizard Tyler Weed. The event will feature new compositions on tenor banjo from high school student Tyler Weed, a fresh voice upcoming in the West Coast scene. The boys will be joined for some of these shows by champion Irish dancer Marisa Gilman of Portland, Oregon.

John Weed, fiddler for Molly’s Revenge and New World String Project, is a classically-trained violinist who has spent the last 25 years immersed in various fiddle styles. With an affinity for folk traditions, John’s exploration has emphasized Irish, Scottish, Swedish, and old-time fiddle. While he holds a bachelor’s degree of music from CSU Chico, the musical education that charted his path began through a long series of Irish sessions. There, he learned the nuance of aural passing of melodies and the tradition of conversing in a deeply musical manner. John’s passion for the vital expressiveness of the session lead to performing across the United States and internationally. In addition to being a full time performer and instructor, John is currently on faculty at Palenke Arts, a multicultural arts organization in Seaside, California.

Tyler Weed was raised in a musical family, hearing his mother and father playing fiddle since birth. Tyler has been taught guitar and banjo licks from “Uncle” Stuart Mason since his first days strumming a guitar. He was recently one of 14 students out of 1650 entrants to receive Maestro Award for improvisational soloing at the 2022 Heritage Jazz Festival in Anaheim, California. Tyler is a six time recipient of Santa Cruz Redwood Camp Teen Band scholarship, has been awarded the Big Sur Fiddle Camp scholarship twice. Tyler’s composition, “Tyler’s Ancient Jig” was featured in Molly’s Revenge’s latest release, “The Lucky Set.”

Stuart Mason is known for his authentic vocals and nimble skills on guitar, mandola, and banjo. He was a member of the Celtic band Molly’s Revenge, and has performed at festivals in China, Scotland, Ireland, and many of the United States. He currently tours with old time quartet SLO County Stumblers, Nordic quartet New World String Project, and in a duo with fiddler John Weed. Stuart has won awards for traditional singing (Goleta Old-Time Fiddler’s Convention), mandola (Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Contest), and songwriting (West Coast Songwriter’s Association). When not gigging, he writes, paints pet portraits, and builds websites.

Tis the Season for Winterdance

New World String Project will continue a joyful and cherished holiday tradition this year. The well known Winterdance Celtic Christmas Celebration will return, with two members of Molly’s Revenge and our champion Irish dancers. This year’s music will include Celtic seasonal favorites from previous years, as well as new music with a decidedly Nordic twist. Attendees will enjoy virtuosic performances on exotic instruments like nyckelharpa, cittern, Celtic harp, and cajon, as well as fiddle, guitar, and octave mandolin. 

STUART MASON • ARYEH FRANKFURTER • LISA LYNNE • JOHN WEED




Winterdance Dates 2022

Thursday, Dec 1 – Carmichael CA – GET TICKETS

Friday Dec. 2 – San Jose, CA – GET TICKETS

Saturday Dec. 3 – Pacific Grove CA – GET TICKETS

Sunday Dec. 4 – Los Osos, CA – GET TICKETS

Thursday Dec. 8 – Ashland OR – GET TICKETS

Friday Dec 9 – Monroe OR – GET TICKETS

Saturday Dec. 10 – Portland OR – GET TICKETS

Sunday Dec. 11 – Ridgefield, WA – GET TICKETS

The core of the Winterdance show is New World String Project, comprised of four highly skilled and well known multi-instrumentalists that have joined forces to create an exciting tapestry of traditional music. Band members Lisa Lynne and Aryeh Frankfurter have played Swedish, Celtic and original tunes for many years together, while John Weed and Stuart Mason are known as long-time members of the legendary Molly’s Revenge. Before the pandemic, the quartet honed their chops and found their voice as a band by touring up and down the West Coast, where audiences were enchanted by their rare instruments and masterful skills. The result is something new and uniquely their own–a sound rooted in the older traditions of Scandinavia, Appalachia, and the Celtic lands, yet shimmering with modern influences as well. 

“Our audience certainly enjoyed your performance… You exceeded everyone’s expectations and introduced many of them to a completely new style and sound, which is a rare gift.” –Tim Bray, Oak & Thorn Productions 

Listen and learn more at newworldstringproject.com.

Passing Traditions: The Weeds with Uncle Stu, Live in Seattle

House Concert Bothel Neighborhood
Friday, July 15 7:00 PM Seattle, WA
(Drinks/Appetizers at 6:30)
Contact Susan McCroskey susanmcburke@gmail.com

Sweet Spring Concerts
Sunday, July 17 3:00 PM
St Luke’s Episcopal Church, in the sanctuary.
525 N5th Ave Sequim, WA
Small bites for intermission and after the show (tea munchies)
Suggested Donation: $15,20, 25. Pay what you can and come.
Contact: Donna Willy donnawilly@gmail.com

Join father/son duo John and Tyler Weed with Stuart Mason for an evening of Celtic and Nordic fiddle tunes, old-timey mountain music, and American song. The talented trio will trace the music of the Emerald Isles and follow it to one of its many landing spots in the United States. Watch the folk process unfold as John Weed and Uncle Stu Mason, two members of West Coast Celtic power house Molly’s Revenge and Nordic band New World String Project, pass this musical lineage to next-gen banjo, mandolin, and guitar virtuoso Tyler Weed. The event will feature new compositions on tenor banjo from Tyler Weed, a fresh voice upcoming in the West Coast scene.

Tyler Weed was raised in a musical family, hearing his mother and father playing fiddle since birth. Tyler has been taught guitar and banjo licks from “Uncle” Stuart Mason since his first days strumming a guitar. Tyler is a six time recipient of Santa Cruz Redwood Camp Teen Band scholarship, and has been awarded the Big Sur Fiddle Camp scholarship twice. Tyler’s composition, “Tyler’s Ancient Jig” was featured in Molly’s Revenge’s latest release, “The Lucky Set.”

John Weed, fiddler for Molly’s Revenge and New World String Project, is a classically-trained violinist who has spent the last 25 years immersed in various fiddle styles. John lived in Ireland in 2000 and taught fiddle workshops at the Flowing Tide International Music School in Doonbeg, County Clare. He has honed his skills since, attending the Frankie Kennedy Winter School in Dunlewey, County Donegal where he studied with Ciaran O’Maonaigh and Dermot Mcloughlin. With an affinity for American fiddle styles, John explores the connections between Irish, Scottish, Swedish, and old time fiddle.

Veteran artist Stuart Mason is known for his authentic vocals and nimble skills on guitar, mandola, and banjo. He is a member of the Celtic band Molly’s Revenge, and has performed at festivals in China, Scotland, Ireland, and many of the United States. He also tours with old time quartet SLO County Stumblers, Nordic quartet New World String Project, and in a duo with fiddler John Weed.