ArtistDirect News
Richard Wood to Stage Retrospective Concert in PEI, Highlights 30-Year Celtic Career
Prince Edward Island fiddler Richard Wood will return to his home province for a career‑spanning show on August 7, 2026. The event, titled Richard Wood: Through the Years, will take place at Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside and will feature live music, storytelling, archival footage and performances by longtime collaborators Kimberley Holmes, Skip Holmes, Brent Chaisson and guest dancers.
The concert comes after a busy summer in which Wood performed at two venues in the Festival of Small Halls. On June 16 he played Fiddler’s Green in Fort Augustus, and on June 17 he appeared as Richard Wood & Friends in Clyde River. These intimate shows were part of a broader tour that also included appearances on national television programs such as Good Morning America, The Late Show with David Letterman, Up Home Tonight and Rita & Friends.
Wood’s career began in community halls on Prince Edward Island, where he developed a passion for traditional music and step dancing at a young age. He won the Don Messer Trophy twice, a regional award that recognizes excellence in fiddling. His talent soon earned him invitations to perform on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center and Disney World’s EPCOT. He has shared the stage with prominent Celtic and Canadian acts such as The Chieftains, Rita MacNeil, The Barra MacNeils, Ron Hynes, The Rankin Family and Shania Twain.
Wood’s repertoire includes more than a dozen albums. Notable releases are Unbroken (2018), A Change of Reasons, Infectious, Come Dance With Me, Fire Dance and The Celtic Touch. The 2018 album Unbroken received widespread praise and reinforced Wood’s reputation as one of Canada’s leading Celtic musicians.
In recognition of his long‑standing contributions to Atlantic Canadian culture, Wood received the Stompin’ Tom Connors Award at the East Coast Music Awards. He is also a five‑time East Coast Music Award winner and has earned multiple Music PEI Awards.
Wood’s performances have extended beyond the concert hall. He has played for royalty and dignitaries, including Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III, Princess Diana and the Emperor of Japan. He has also performed for Canadian Armed Forces personnel in Bosnia, Afghanistan and the North Pole.
Beyond touring, Wood mentors emerging musicians and produces events. His initiative, Fiddle FANDEMONIUM, aims to keep Atlantic Canada’s fiddle traditions vibrant for future generations.
The Through the Years show will combine live music with storytelling and archival footage, offering audiences a comprehensive look at Wood’s three‑decade career. The production will feature collaborations with long‑time partners and guest dancers, underscoring the communal nature of Celtic music.
Wood’s schedule for 2026 also includes a series of smaller performances as part of the Festival of Small Halls, which highlights traditional music across Prince Edward Island. These shows, scheduled for June 16 and 17, provide a more intimate setting for fans to experience Wood’s energetic fiddling and step dancing.
Overall, the August 7 concert and the Festival of Small Halls appearances illustrate Wood’s continued influence on Atlantic Canadian music. His blend of high‑energy performance, deep respect for tradition and commitment to mentorship positions him as a key figure in preserving and promoting Celtic music in Canada.
The Harbourfront Theatre event is scheduled for 7 August 2026, and tickets are available through the theatre’s official website. Wood’s upcoming shows will be announced on his official website and social media channels.
The concert comes after a busy summer in which Wood performed at two venues in the Festival of Small Halls. On June 16 he played Fiddler’s Green in Fort Augustus, and on June 17 he appeared as Richard Wood & Friends in Clyde River. These intimate shows were part of a broader tour that also included appearances on national television programs such as Good Morning America, The Late Show with David Letterman, Up Home Tonight and Rita & Friends.
Wood’s career began in community halls on Prince Edward Island, where he developed a passion for traditional music and step dancing at a young age. He won the Don Messer Trophy twice, a regional award that recognizes excellence in fiddling. His talent soon earned him invitations to perform on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center and Disney World’s EPCOT. He has shared the stage with prominent Celtic and Canadian acts such as The Chieftains, Rita MacNeil, The Barra MacNeils, Ron Hynes, The Rankin Family and Shania Twain.
Wood’s repertoire includes more than a dozen albums. Notable releases are Unbroken (2018), A Change of Reasons, Infectious, Come Dance With Me, Fire Dance and The Celtic Touch. The 2018 album Unbroken received widespread praise and reinforced Wood’s reputation as one of Canada’s leading Celtic musicians.
In recognition of his long‑standing contributions to Atlantic Canadian culture, Wood received the Stompin’ Tom Connors Award at the East Coast Music Awards. He is also a five‑time East Coast Music Award winner and has earned multiple Music PEI Awards.
Wood’s performances have extended beyond the concert hall. He has played for royalty and dignitaries, including Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III, Princess Diana and the Emperor of Japan. He has also performed for Canadian Armed Forces personnel in Bosnia, Afghanistan and the North Pole.
Beyond touring, Wood mentors emerging musicians and produces events. His initiative, Fiddle FANDEMONIUM, aims to keep Atlantic Canada’s fiddle traditions vibrant for future generations.
The Through the Years show will combine live music with storytelling and archival footage, offering audiences a comprehensive look at Wood’s three‑decade career. The production will feature collaborations with long‑time partners and guest dancers, underscoring the communal nature of Celtic music.
Wood’s schedule for 2026 also includes a series of smaller performances as part of the Festival of Small Halls, which highlights traditional music across Prince Edward Island. These shows, scheduled for June 16 and 17, provide a more intimate setting for fans to experience Wood’s energetic fiddling and step dancing.
Overall, the August 7 concert and the Festival of Small Halls appearances illustrate Wood’s continued influence on Atlantic Canadian music. His blend of high‑energy performance, deep respect for tradition and commitment to mentorship positions him as a key figure in preserving and promoting Celtic music in Canada.
The Harbourfront Theatre event is scheduled for 7 August 2026, and tickets are available through the theatre’s official website. Wood’s upcoming shows will be announced on his official website and social media channels.