Elsie Gawler is a multi-instrumentalist and songster rooted in Maine's traditional folk music and culture. With her family, the Gawler Family Band, she has played throughout the state and beyond, sharing traditional fiddle tunes, songs, and original works since she was 6 years old. 

From this foundation, she has branched out and launched her debut solo album, Sweet As Honey. The album is a collection of 9 original songs inspired by a sacred connection to earth and community. While continuing to play regularly with The Gawler Family Band, her other projects include duo Elsie & Ethan, and trio The Gawler Sisters.

ARTIST BIO

Elsie’s parents, John and Ellen Gawler, met playing traditional fiddle music for contra dances around the state of Maine in the ’70s. When they had their three daughters, Molly, Edith, and Elsie, it was only natural to fold them into an already thriving musical life. Elsie picked up her first fiddle at age 3 and switched to cello at age 9. She studied classical cello throughout her childhood but found her love for music and community in the world of traditional folk music and dance. In her early 20’s she went on to become a teacher at Maine Fiddle camp and continues to teach cello there every year. Elsie joined the Boston-based “fiddle orchestra” known as Childsplay at age 16 and played cello with the band until 2019 when the group celebrated their last tour.  Elsie began to explore a new dimension of her music by writing and arranging her own songs which eventually led to the recording and production of the album “Sweet As Honey” (released in 2020)- a collection of 9 original songs from those initial years of songwriting.

Alongside her life as a musician, Elsie has led a full life in mid-coast Maine, one that has always been grounded in a deep connection to land, nature, and craft. She is actively working with her dad and sisters in the family’s roofing business (her father’s trade) known as Gawler & Daughters Sheet Metal Roofing Co. In addition to roofing, Elsie has found her way into large scale vegetable farming, dairy farming, cheesemaking, herbal medicine, herb farming, visual arts, graphic design, rowing, community singing, carpentry, and tiny house building; all of which enrich and inspire the music that she makes.

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Friday, January 28 | Doors open at 7:00 PM

Show begins at 7:30 PM; 90-minutes with an intermission

Tickets are available for $15 in advance, $18 at the door, and $22 for preferred seating

Be sure to sign up for the Gawler Family Workshop as well!

No one will be turned away for lack of funds; contact MSA at 207-879-4629 or info@mayostreetarts.org for information on our sliding scale admission policy.

COVID-19 POLICY

All patrons and staff attending events will need to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 (or negative test from within 48 hours) along with a matching photo ID. Children under 12 are exempt.

Audience members, staff, and volunteers will be asked to mask while not actively eating, or drinking.

Mayo Street Arts is committed to the safety of everyone at our events and will adhere to all Federal & Maine CDC guidelines on the day of the event. As we anticipate mid-season changes to our COVID-19 policy, please click here to visit our website and view the most current information.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Mayo Street Arts has a no refund policy for all reservations. In the event that MSA is forced to cancel an event due to weather, illness, etc., refunds will be offered via the Ticket Tailor platform.