Norwegian and Canadian duo Magnus Wiik and Laura Ellestad are bringing their blend of traditional Norwegian and North American tunes to Gabriola.
The two formed the Ellestad Wiick Duo in 2012.
The duo performs at Gabriola’s Hive Emporium tonight (Aug. 9) at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $15 and are available at Hive Emporium or by calling 250-325-1948.
Ellestad grew up in Calgary. She has family ties to Norway and decided to move to Norway and study the Hardanger fiddle. She attended the Ole Bull Academy and the Norwegian Academy of Music.
She is the only Hardanger fiddle player outside of Scandinavia to qualify for the elite A class in Landskappleiken, Norway’s annual national folk music competition, according to the group’s press release.
Ellestad released her debut solo album, Valdresspel i Amerika, in 2014 and it was nominated for a Norwegian Grammy Award, a Spellemannprisen, and a Norwegian Folk Music Award.
Wiik attended the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and Norwegian Academy of Music.
The Ellestad Wiik Duo released its debut album On the Water in June.