Ca d’zan House Concerts is set to welcome the Medusa Quartet, a trailblazing ensemble redefining the boundaries of the string quartet and folk music alike on Sunday, Oct. 5 for an evening of sound, story and spirit.
The night begins with a community potluck and social hour from 6 –7 p.m., followed by the concert at 7 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for outdoor seating. The event is for all ages, with a suggested donation of $20–30.
Medusa Quartet wields a sound that could turn music scholars to stone and invites audiences into a bold reimagining of what a string quartet can be. This all-female folk supergroup—Saskia Tomkins, Marta Sołek, Lea Kirstein, and Georgia Hathaway—brings together an extraordinary range of instruments, traditions and personal stories to create something entirely new.
Their CFMA – nominated debut album showcases a dynamic fusion of Middle Eastern, Scandinavian, Celtic, Appalachian and Eastern European sounds, layered with original compositions. The result is a vibrant, genre-defying soundscape that crosses borders and challenges conventions.
Named after one of mythology’s most misunderstood figures, Medusa reclaims her story—transforming the image of the snake-haired Gorgon into a powerful symbol of vision, resilience, and inclusivity. The group draws inspiration from their own experiences with racism, sexism, immigration, queerness, and disability, reclaiming what history has often silenced.
Each member of Medusa brings a deeply personal and virtuosic voice to the ensemble:
● Saskia Tomkins – nyckelharpa & fiddle — A versatile performer known for her work on the hit musical Come from Away, she masterfully blends tradition with innovation.
● Marta Sołek – suka, Płock fiddle, lyra, cello — The world’s first Master’s graduate in the ancient suka, Marta revives long-forgotten instruments and techniques from Poland and beyond.
● Lea Kirstein – cello, viola, fiddle — An acclaimed arranger and educator, she founded World on a String, a Toronto-based fiddle community promoting inclusive music learning.
● Georgia Hathaway – fiddle — A fearless improviser and world traveler whose studies in Middle Eastern modes and theatrical storytelling enrich the group’s transcendent performances.
Together, Medusa crafts a sound both ancient and avant-garde — one that “invites back voices previously regarded as too ugly for polite society” and tempts us all to reconsider what is truly beautiful.
For tickets and more information please visit xroadscc.org/events.
