Las Vegas musicians blend Scandinavian-inspired melodies, American folk traditions and contemporary sounds for an afternoon celebrating musical creativity and cultural connections.
By Debbie Hall
Las Vegas audiences can experience the spirited intersection of classical music and folk traditions when Fiddle & Fern returns to the Rita Deanin Abbey Art Museum for Rooted on Saturday, Oct. 24.
The 2 to 4 p.m. matinee concert brings together four accomplished local musicians for an eclectic program inspired by Scandinavian melodies, American folk music, contemporary arrangements and original compositions. Drawing inspiration in part from the distinctive folk-inflected sound and playful virtuosity of the Danish String Quartet, Rooted explores what happens when classical structure meets the instinctive rhythms and expressive freedom of folk traditions.
The result promises an afternoon of soaring melodies, haunting harmonies and infectious rhythms, with plenty of spirited fiddle playing along the way.
At the heart of Rooted is the tension between musical traditions: folk melodies carry an organic, deeply human energy, while classical forms try to shape and contain it. The interplay creates a performance that is simultaneously refined and unruly, intimate and exuberant.
Lucy Formato, director of special events and public programming at the Rita Deanin Abbey Art Museum, welcomed the ensemble’s return.
“Fiddle & Fern has excelled at delivering impeccable artistry to the Rita Deanin Abbey Art Museum, and it is a privilege to welcome their return,” Formato said. “We invite our guests to experience an afternoon of soaring melodies, haunting harmonies, infectious rhythms, and of course – plenty of fiddly fun during the mesmerizing ‘Rooted’ concert.”
Local Musicians Bring Diverse Experience
The Rooted concert features Arturo Hernández Gómez, James Anderson, David Warner and Adrianna Shaw, whose professional backgrounds span classical music, jazz, folk, popular music, musical theater and original composition.
Arturo Hernández Gómez is a Las Vegas-based violinist, violist, mandolin player and arranger whose repertoire ranges from classical and pop to folk and jazz. He has taught music throughout the Las Vegas Valley for more than a decade. His performance credits include Andrea Bocelli, the Latin GRAMMYs, the Latin Billboard Awards, Annex Quartet and the Las Vegas Young Artists Orchestra, along with local musical theater productions.
James Anderson, originally from Fort Collins, Colorado, has played violin since age 5. His musical experience includes classical, jazz, tango, bluegrass and old-time music. With appearances on more than 40 recordings, Anderson has performed internationally and collaborated with artists including Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, Marcia Ball, Fyfe Dangerfield and Carolyn Wonderland. He is now based in Las Vegas, where he works as a performer and teacher.
David Warner is a Las Vegas-based cellist, multi-instrumentalist and award-nominated composer. He studied cello performance at California State University, Fullerton, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His performance credits include Adele, Imagine Dragons and Sarah Brightman, as well as a national Broadway tour of Dear Evan Hansen. His composition work includes the off-Broadway production 2 1/2 Breaths and music for the Marin Shakespeare Festival, where he was nominated for Best Original Score. Warner also holds two patents for instrument design and creates custom art-piece instruments.
Adrianna Shaw, a Las Vegas native, began playing violin early in life and launched her professional career after graduating from the GRAMMY Award-winning Las Vegas Academy. Her classical and jazz background has led to performances across pop, country and house/EDM. She has performed with artists including Rod Stewart, the Eagles, Pitbull, Andrea Bocelli, Celine Dion, Miley Cyrus, Shakira, Stevie Wonder, Nick Jonas, Steven Tyler, Enrique Iglesias, Earth, Wind & Fire, Cyndi Lauper and Demi Lovato.
Together, the musicians bring an expansive range of influences to Rooted, demonstrating the versatility of Las Vegas’ professional music community.
Art and Music Meet in the Desert Southwest
The concert takes place at the Rita Deanin Abbey Art Museum, which celebrates the legacy of the visionary artist whose work was deeply inspired by the beauty and mystery of the Desert Southwest.
Located on a 10-acre campus, the 10,500-square-foot museum presents a broad collection of Abbey’s work, including abstract expressionist paintings, monumental stained-glass works, sculpture, landscapes, figure studies, murals and enamels.
The museum offers visitors an opportunity to explore the many dimensions of Abbey’s artistic career in a setting connected to her life and creative process. In 2024, Abbey was posthumously inducted into the University of Nevada, Las Vegas College of Fine Arts Hall of Fame in recognition of her artistic achievements and lasting cultural impact.
By hosting performances such as Rooted, the museum gives audiences opportunities to experience different forms of artistic expression in one setting. The concert’s exploration of tradition, innovation and creative interpretation complements the museum’s broader commitment to preserving and sharing artistic vision.
For Las Vegas residents and visitors seeking an arts experience beyond the usual entertainment offerings, Rooted offers an afternoon of live music in an intimate museum environment.
The museum, located at 5850 N. Park Street in northwest Las Vegas, is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets for admission are available by appointment only and may be purchased online. For more information and tickets to the concert, visit www.ritadeaninabbeymuseum.org and follow the museum on Instagram or Facebook.
