CARTHAGE – New England Celtic Arts will host the Irish band Slide at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center Wednesday, March 11, and at the Lakeside Theater in Rangeley Thursday, March 12. Both concerts start at 7 p.m.

A preshow jam when people may bring your instruments and join in the musicians will start at 6:15 at Skye Theatre. Reservations are suggested at both venues.

The rollicking band’s origins date back to Ireland in 1999, when it played in pubs for a local music festival and won over the crowd. This led to the release of its “The Flying Pig” CD. Irish Music Magazine awarded Slide its Best Newcomer distinction in 2001, leading to gigs throughout Europe.

In its second album, “Harmonic Motion,” Slide celebrates self-exploration and collective innovation in a series of self-penned songs that also drew critical acclaim.

In 2005, Slide – made up of concertina virtuoso Aogan Lynch, fiddler-guitarist Diare Bracken, bouzouki and mandolin player Mick Broderick, pianist-flautist Eamonn de Barra, and vocalist Andrew Murray – won the Young Musicwide Award.

Developed in 2001 by the Arts Council of Ireland, Young Musicwide encourages young people to pursue professional careers in traditional Irish music, chamber music and jazz and gives promoters access to the best Irish talents.

“Slide successfully combined the qualities of traditional Irish music with contemporary musical ideas. They are exceptionally talented and their music has both grace and power,” said celebrated Irish musician-producer Donal Lunny, who helped judge the competition.

Concert tickets are $10 at the door. Skye Theater is at 2 Highland Drive off Winter Hill Road and U.S. Route 2. Lakeside Theater is on Main Street in Rangeley. Call Skye Theatre at 562-4445 or Lakeside Theater at 864-5000 for reservations.

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