CARTHAGE – New England Celtic Arts will host Maine fiddler Ed Howe and guitarist John Cote as Perpetual Motion, the culmination of more than a decade of musical collaboration between the two musicians, Thursday, May 1, at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center.

The concert will begin at 7 p.m., with a preshow jam at 6:15.

The duo brings together its varied musical disciplines to present a program of well-crafted instrumental and vocal music showcasing Celtic, bluegrass, jazz and experimental influences.

A Damariscotta resident, Howe is one of the most active fiddlers in Maine today. He is well-known as a member of the popular Dave Rowe Trio and plays regularly at dances throughout New England. Born into a musical family, Howe started playing fiddle at age 4, learning the Suzuki method. He has been involved in the Maine Fiddle Camp and other teaching opportunities throughout the state.

Howe has an extensive electronics background and took an interest in the electric violin. He plays a five-string NS Designs electronic violin using an AKG wireless and MXR equalization. Watching him play barefooted and operating complex electronic equipment with his feet is a sight to behold.

Cote plays in several bands, including Wake the Neighbors and Bustopher Jones. He is a well-known accompanist for many Maine and New England fiddlers and is active as a teacher at the Maine Fiddle Camp and the University of Maine System.

Cote attended the Berklee College of music both for a five-week music program in high school and for two years after high school to study film scoring. He later transferred to the University of Maine at Augusta’s jazz program and earned a bachelor’s degree in jazz performance.

At 22, he took an interests in traditional dance music, picked up the mandolin and fiddle and helped found the Celtic/world band Wake the Neighbors that has endured to this day.

“I’m currently working to develop my songwriting skills and hope to produce an album of all original solo compositions and songs.” said Cote.

Skye Theater is at 2 Highland Drive off Winter Hill Road and U.S. Route 2. Tickets are $10 at the door. Call New England Celtic Arts at 562-4445 for reservations. For more information, log on to www.necelticarts.com.