SOUTH CARTHAGE – New England Celtic Arts will present master Cape Breton fiddler Jerry Holland at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center on Monday, Nov. 10, in South Carthage, starting at 7 p.m. A pre-show jam will start at 6:30 p.m.

Holland is a fiddler strongly rooted in Cape Breton, Scottish and Irish dance music traditions. An active performer and recording artist, many of his own tunes have entered the traditional repertoire around the world. His tunes, books and recordings have remained influential wherever Celtic music is played.

One of the finest Celtic fiddlers performing today, Holland comes by his music honestly. His father was a musical man respectful of tradition. Jerry senior was over 50 when Holland was born and this placed the budding musician directly into a vibrant older culture.

From childhood on, a series of fortunate events put young Holland in the company of many of the greatest Cape Breton musicians of the last generation – Winston Fitzgerald, Bill Lamey, Angus Chisholm and several other less well-known fiddlers, including his father.

Holland has taken his music to many parts of the world. Those places include Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Scotland, Finland, Germany, Mexico, England, France, United States, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, PEI, New Brunswick, Quebec, Alberta, Ontario and the Northwest Territories.

For the past 25 years, life in Cape Breton has surrounded him by people who know and love the music. Digesting those experiences, a mature musician and composer has evolved. Today, his settings of older tunes and his own compositions usually pass the muster with the traditionalists.

Skye Theatre is located 3 miles west of East Dixfield village at 2 Highland Drive, off Winter Hill Road and Route 2 in South Carthage. Ticket price is $10. Reservations are required for this show. Call New England Celtic Arts at 562-4445 for reservations and directions. For more information, visit www.necelticarts.com.

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