LEWISTON — New England Celtic Arts in partnership with The Franco-American Heritage Center will present
the highly-acclaimed Celtic band, POGEY, at The Franco Center in Lewiston on Tuesday, July 21; at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center in South Carthage on Wednesday, July 22 ; and at Lakeside Theater in Rangeley on Thursday, July 23.

Hailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Nudibranch recording artists, POGEY, combine original celtic/rock tunes with stellar instrumentals. The group performs with genuine spontaneity and spectacular energy.

POGEY’s fourth CD is their most ambitious project to date. This self-titled recording was recorded at Common Ground Studios in Halifax with producer/engineer Christopher Mitchell (Meatloaf, The Rankin Family, Bruce Guthro of Runrig and more). Mitchell’s creative vision and POGEY’s fresh, original material helped to spawn an exciting new sound for the group.

In 1997, lead singer Ray Mattie moved his young family to Barrie, Ontario (just north of Toronto), to break into a new, music market. The idea was to start an original band with a Celtic/Folk-based sound. Unfortunately, after three years of college shows, television features and festival performances, Mattie was never able to find the quality, like-minded musicians to help make this band a reality. To do this, he needed to return home to Nova Scotia. In the fall of 2000, upon his arrival, Mattie called bassist Jonny Grant. Grant agreed to join immediately and 20 minutes later POGEY was born.

In early 2004, POGEY had solidified a core lineup. Warren Robert (guitar/mandolin) and Zach Smith (drums) became permanent members as touring Canada and the U.S. continued. In the spring of 2007 with higher profile shows in hand, POGEY added Colin Grant (fiddle) and Darren McMullen (mandolin, bouzouki, banjo, tin whistle). They will be performing with the six-member configuration and are stopping in Maine for these two concerts only and are on their way to the prestigious Fairfield Irish Festival in Trumbull, Ct.

FAHC and Skye Theater general admission tickets are $10 and can be purchased by contacting FAHC at 689-2000, online at francoamericanheritage.org or at the door; or Skye Theatre at 562-4445. At Lakeside Theater, tickets are $10 in advance and $12.50 at the door. Advance tickets for Lakeside may be purchased at the theater, online at rangeleymovies.com or by calling 864-5000.

There is a preshow jam at 6:15 p.m. at FAHC and at Skye. Audience members are encouraged to bring their instruments and jam for a few minutes with the artists. Curtain is at 7 p.m. for all the theaters. More information is available at www.necelticarts.com

Copy the Story Link