CLINTON — The Kirkland Art Center will welcome the Maria Gillard Trio to their KAC Live concert series on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m.

Maria Gillard is a singer and songwriter from the Finger Lakes Region, who is best known as a folk musician. But recently, she has grown to embrace a wider style range including jazz, swing, and blues.

Gillard’s songs offer wise, humorous, and sometimes painful observations on life and relationships, according to her critics. “Her compelling voice draws the listener into her lyrics which, when combined with memorable melodies, head straight for the heart,” Kirkland Art Center officials wrote. “Her performances are soul stirring, evocative, contagious, lively and energizing. She has a warm, inviting, natural flair, which leaves audiences wanting more and coming back.”

Gillard leads the Maria Gillard Trio, accompanied by Perry Cleveland on mandolin, fiddle and vocals, and Doug Henrie on upright bass. The bass and mandolin add both a driving musical background to Gillard’s original songs.

Cleveland and Henrie bring their experiences performing together in bluegrass outfits like the Finger Lakes All Stars, The Cadleys, and Rebecca and the Chore Lads which help fuse a magical energy in the Maria Gillard Trio. Their new recording “ALWAYS LOVE,” is getting rave reviews.

“We are delighted to have Maria and her band back to our great KAC Gallery venue for a lively evening of soul-stirring songs and great bluegrass and swing sounds,” KAC officials wrote.

Tickets for the concert are available at www.kacny.org/kac-live and at the door and are $20 for general admittance and $18 for KAC members. Concessions are by donation. Everyone is welcome, and the Kirkland Art Center Gallery space is wheelchair accessible.

The KAC Live series continues with a Nov. 4 tribute to the memory of Ginger Parker, who ran the KAC Coffeehouse for decades. A favorite group of Ginger’s, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer will play on Friday, Nov. 4 from 7:30 p.m. in a classic KAC Coffeehouse-style evening with one Ginger’s sons, Jeff Parker, welcoming the audience.

Tickets for the KAC Coffeehouse are available at www.kacny.org/kac-live or at the door and are $20 for general admittance and $18 for KAC members.