Carolina to Caledonia: Songs Across the Atlantic with singer/songwriter Jennifer Licko

Carolina to Caledonia: Songs Across the Atlantic

Jennifer Licko live at Canvas Dundee

A little country, a little Scottish—and an evening that brings people together through music, dancing and good company.

Join singer-songwriter Jennifer Licko for a celebration of the connections between the Carolinas and Scotland. With Scottish roots and country-inspired songs, Carolina to Caledonia is more than a concert: it’s an invitation to share traditions, meet new people and enjoy a night out together.

The evening features Highland dancer Jillian Kennedy of Highland Echoes, alongside opportunities to join in with American line dancing and Scottish ceilidh dancing. Take a turn on the dance floor or enjoy the performances from your seat—the choice is yours.

Come early when the doors and bar open at 6:00 p.m. for a relaxed welcome gathering before the music begins at 7:30 p.m. There will be time for drinks, conversation and introductions, whether you’re arriving with friends or coming on your own.

We’re delighted to welcome special guests from the Dundee Alexandria Twinning Association, Guthrie Heritage SCIO, and the Scottish Cultural Outreach Foundation. For those interested in arts, heritage and international friendships, it’s a chance to exchange ideas and explore connections in an informal setting.

This is a public event, open to everyone. You don’t need to be part of the Guthrie gathering or belong to any clan, group or association. Whether you’re curious about the Carolinas, passionate about Scottish culture or simply looking for an enjoyable evening of live music and dancing, you’ll be very welcome.

Event details

Thursday, 22 October 2026
Canvas Dundee
16 Ure St, Dundee, DD1 5JD

Doors, bar and welcome gathering: 6:00 p.m.
Music begins: 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: JenniferLicko.com

DUNDEE, SCOTLAND — October 22— American vocalist, songwriter, guitarist and concert producer Jennifer Licko is planning a special Dundee performance in late October titled “Carolina to Caledonia: Songs Across the Atlantic,” an intimate evening of music and storytelling exploring the links between Scottish, Irish, Appalachian and country music traditions.

Licko, a North Carolina-based artist known for her work in Celtic and roots music, will be in the Dundee and Angus area for a deeply personal occasion: the 200th anniversary celebration of Guthrie Kirk. The historic Kirk, which was once at risk of being sold, has been preserved through the efforts of members of the Guthrie family in Scotland and the United States working alongside the local community.

Having been involved with the American side of that preservation effort, Licko hopes to mark her return to Scotland with a warm Dundee gathering that brings together music, heritage and shared story.

The working title of the concert, “Carolina to Caledonia,” reflects the journey of songs and traditions across the Atlantic. Through voice, acoustic guitar, storytelling and selective additional instrumentation, the programme will explore how the music of Scotland and Ireland travelled with emigrant families, took root in Appalachia and helped shape the sound of American country and roots music.

The evening will also offer a fresh cultural connection for audiences familiar with American country artists such as Dolly Parton, whose Appalachian mountain music tradition has long carried themes of family, place, faith, hardship, humour and home. Licko’s programme places that sound world in conversation with the older Scottish and Irish musical traditions that helped shape it.

“This concert is really about connection,” said Licko. “It’s about the songs that crossed the ocean, the families who carried them, and the way music keeps a sense of home alive across generations. Coming to Dundee during the Guthrie Kirk anniversary makes that especially meaningful.”