CARTHAGE – New England Celtic Arts will host a lineup of world-class Celtic bands in September and early October at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center. Featured will be Beoga of Ireland, Sept. 3; the Tannahill Weavers of Scotland, Sept. 10-11; Jez Lowe and The Bad Pennies of the United Kingdom, Sept. 15; Findlay Napier and The Bar Room Mountaineers of Scotland, Sept. 17; Cara of Germany, Sept. 23; Wendy MacIsaac of Cape Breton, Sept. 25; Cantrip from Scotland, Sept. 30; and six young ladies from Ireland called Liadan, Oct. 6.

All shows start at 7 p.m. and feature Skye’s trademark preshow jam starting at 6:15. Audience members are encouraged to bring instruments and jam for a few minutes with the artists.

Skye Theatre director Phill McIntyre has been able to arrange and book mid-week dates with these and other headliner bands traveling through the region to larger metropolitan areas. Many of the touring groups remain for several days at Skye Theatre, thus cutting down on touring expenses.

First up will be the award-winning band Beoga (Irish word for lively), a five-piece traditional band based in County Antrim, Ireland. The group was drawn together after jamming in a ferocious music session at the All-Ireland Fleadh in Aug. 2002.

Its unique sound features the twin dueling accordions of Seán Óg Graham and Damian McKee, along with four-time, all-Ireland bodhrán champion Eamon Murray and pianist Liam Bradley.

In 2005, Irish Music Magazine nominated Beoga for the best traditional newcomer’s award. With the addition of one of Ireland’s premier young singers, Niamh Dunne, Beoga is confirming its reputation as one of the most exciting acts to emerge from Ireland in recent years.

The band released its debut album, “A Lovely Madness,” in Sept. 2004 to critical acclaim in Ireland, Europe and America.

The bedrock of Beoga’s music lies firmly within the Irish tradition, but members are not afraid to incorporate nuances of other genres- from bluesy riffs to Astor Piazzola-style jazz, to a raunchy New Orleans jamboree vibe. With a repertoire of fresh self-penned tunes and inventive arrangements, “A Lovely Madness” earned 9/10 in Ireland’s Hot Press music magazine and was one of the Top Trad/Folk Albums of the year.

The group’s 2007 release, “Mischief,” has also received excellent reviews across the board, including a 9.5/10 rating from Hot Press.

The Chicago American Times described Beoga as having “super vocals, a terrific staccato beat to the rhythm, with a real sense of style and wit. This is a major major band to be reckoned with.”

Over the last few years, Beoga has performed at major Celtic and folk festivals throughout Europe and the United States.

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 and directions. For more information, call www.necelticarts.com.