Fiddle & Fern’s ‘Rooted’ Brings Folk Traditions to Rita Deanin Abbey Art Museum Oct. 24

By Debbie Hall

Four accomplished Las Vegas musicians explore Scandinavian melodies, American folk music and contemporary compositions in an afternoon concert celebrating the connections between musical heritage and artistic expression.

When classical technique meets the untamed spirit of folk music, unexpected harmonies emerge. Fiddle & Fern explores that creative intersection with Rooted, returning to the Rita Deanin Abbey Art Museum from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, for an afternoon of live music inspired by tradition, innovation and the expressive possibilities of string instruments.

The concert will bring together four accomplished Las Vegas musicians for a program featuring Scandinavian-inspired melodies, American folk traditions, contemporary arrangements and original compositions. Inspired in part by the playful virtuosity and folk-inflected sound of the Danish String Quartet, Rooted explores how musical traditions evolve when classical structures encounter the spontaneity of folk music.

The result promises a performance that is intimate yet exuberant, sophisticated yet spirited. Folk melodies and rhythms carry an instinctive, deeply human quality, while classical harmony and form attempt to shape them. In Rooted, that creative tension becomes the heart of the experience.

The program invites audiences to listen beyond traditional genre boundaries and discover how familiar musical influences can be transformed through fresh arrangements and the individual voices of the performers.

“Fiddle & Fern has excelled at delivering impeccable artistry to the Rita Deanin Abbey Art Museum, and it is a privilege to welcome their return,” said Lucy Formato, director of special events and public programming at the museum. “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.”

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Four Musicians, Diverse Musical Roots

The ensemble features Arturo Hernández Gómez, James Anderson, David Warner, and Adrianna Shaw, four musicians whose professional experience spans classical performance, jazz, folk, popular music, theater, and composition.

Their varied backgrounds give Rooted a distinctive foundation, bringing together musicians comfortable moving between musical traditions and exploring the possibilities of collaboration.

Arturo Hernández Gómez is a Las Vegas-based violinist, violist, mandolin player and music arranger. His repertoire ranges from classical and jazz to pop and folk, and he has taught music in 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 began playing violin at age 5 and has developed a musical career spanning classical, jazz, tango, bluegrass and old-time music. Originally from Fort Collins, Colorado, Anderson has appeared on more than 40 recordings and performed internationally. His collaborations include Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, Marcia Ball, Fyfe Dangerfield and Carolyn Wonderland. Now based in Las Vegas, he is an active performer and teacher.

David Warner is a Las Vegas-based cellist, multi-instrumentalist and award-nominated composer who 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. Her credits include appearances with 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, these musicians bring an expansive range of experience to Rooted, allowing the concert to move between styles while highlighting the string ensemble's expressive possibilities.

An Artistic Encounter at the Rita Deanin Abbey Art Museum

The concert's setting adds another dimension to the afternoon. Dedicated to preserving and advancing the legacy of visionary artist Rita Deanin Abbey, the museum offers an environment where creative disciplines can intersect.

Situated on a serene 10-acre campus, the 10,500-square-foot museum presents a career-spanning collection that reflects Abbey's remarkable artistic range. Visitors can experience abstract expressionist paintings, monumental stained-glass works, sculpture, landscapes, figure studies, murals, enamels and more.

Deeply inspired by the beauty and mystery of the Desert Southwest, Abbey developed an artistic vision that extended across media and disciplines. Her contributions were recognized in 2024 when she was posthumously inducted into the University of Nevada, Las Vegas College of Fine Arts Hall of Fame.

Within this setting, Rooted offers an opportunity to experience live music alongside a broader celebration of artistic expression. The relationship between musical traditions and visual art provides a natural connection: both depend on technique, interpretation and a willingness to explore beyond established boundaries.

The performance offers a distinctive cultural experience that combines live chamber music, cross-genre exploration, and a visit to one of Southern Nevada's dedicated art museums.

Whether drawn to the intricacies of classical music, the earthy rhythms of folk traditions, or the creative energy that emerges when the two meet, audiences can expect an afternoon that celebrates music's ability to connect generations and cultures.

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.