Passim Presents Boston Fiddle Funk Festival at Arts at The Armory in Somerville, MA on Friday, November 20th

(Somerville, MA – Sept. 28, 2026) Boston-based Scottish fiddle powerhouse Scottish Fish will join forces with Neil Pearlman’s groundbreaking Celtic-funk collective Neil Pearlman & the Wallbreakers for the Boston Fiddle Funk Festival presented by Passim at Arts at The Armory in Somerville, MA on November 20th. This high-energy night features two of the region’s premier Celtic acts, celebrated for their technical prowess and captivating performances, alongside special appearances by internationally acclaimed funk and jazz artists. Tickets are on sale now at: www.passim.org.

Scottish Fish present a fiddle-forward infusion of original and traditional Scottish and Cape Breton music. After growing up steeped in the Boston Celtic music scene, these five young women began touring at an early age, quickly enchanting domestic and international audiences with their youthful enthusiasm, creative arrangements, and sensitive performances. In their decade of bandhood—fiddler Ava Montesi, fiddler Caroline Dressler, cellist & pianist Giulia Haible, fiddler & pianist Julia Homa, and fiddler & pianist Maggie MacPhail—have performed at a wide variety of venues and festivals across the U.S. and Europe, including Celtic Connections in Scotland, Festival Interceltique de Lorient in France, and Festival de Ortigueira in Spain. Their music and performances have earned them features on WGBH, KALW, and in American Girl and Folkworld magazines; attracted the attention of programs such as America’s Got Talent; and secured an international audience of over four hundred thousand followers across social media platforms.

Neil Pearlman breaks down musical boundaries in Neil Pearlman & the Wallbreakers, bringing internationally acclaimed Celtic, funk, and jazz musicians into collaboration with each other. Pearlman, a gifted pianist known for his unique approach to the keyboard in Celtic music, has assembled an all-star cast of performers for this special pair of Fiddle Funk Festival shows, including drummer Pete Antunes (Tower of Power), saxophonist Eddie Barbash (Jon Batiste, Cory Wong), guitarist Jamie Oshima (The Oshima Brothers), fiddler Cullen Luper, trumpeter Emma Stanley, and bassist Noah Fishman.

“Our world is full of divisions, walls, and borders between communities, countries, cultures, & ideas,” said Pearlman. “I’m a firm believer that breaking down what separates us is a central piece of repairing the world and this project is an expression of that belief. We can honor and celebrate what makes each culture, community, and music genre unique while working together to make something brand new and have a great party!”

The mission of Passim is to provide truly exceptional and interactive live musical experiences for both performers and audiences, to nurture artists at all stages of their careers, and to build a vibrant, inclusive music community. Passim does so through its legendary listening venue, music school, artist grants, and community programs. As a nonprofit since 1994, Passim carries on the heritage of its predecessors- the historic Club 47 (1958-1968) and the for-profit Passim (1969-1994). We cultivate a diverse mix of musical traditions, emphasizing the relationship between performers and audience and teachers and students. Located in Harvard Square, Passim serves Cambridge and the broader region by featuring local, national, and international artists. Our ultimate goal is to help the performance arts flourish and thereby enrich the lives of members of our community. For more information and a complete schedule, visit: www.passim.org.