CARTHAGE — The Dave Rowe Trio offers a fresh take on the folk scene with its three-part harmonies, instrumental virtuosity, showmanship and keen songwriting. Members respectfully build on tradition to move the music into a new groove.

New England Celtic Arts will host the trio of musicians Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center and Thursday, Aug. 6, at Lakeside Theater in Rangeley.

At 12, Dave Rowe took up the tuba and got formal training on piano and keyboard before his dad, Tom Rowe, Schooner Fare’s bass player, taught him the electric bass. By 15, Dave was making music as the bass player with the Makem Brothers, Tommy Makem’s sons. At 19, he picked up a guitar for the first time, and then moved on to learning banjo and mandolin. In 1993, Tom and Dave formed Rowe by Rowe. They added acclaimed musician Denny Breau in 1998, becoming Turkey Hollow. This configuration toured extensively until Tom Rowe died of cancer in 2004.

Dave Rowe then teamed up with Kevin O’Reilly, an electric bass player with a background in rock music, and fiddler Ed Howe. But after more than four years in the band, Howe decided family time was suffering too much while he was on the road. He introduced Rowe and O’Reilly to Eric McDonald, a Boston-based mandolin player and current Berklee student, who quickly fell in with the band’s arrangements and made a seamless transition into the lineup.

This unique group uses Steinberger solid body instruments instead of acoustic instruments in the playing of traditional folk, Celtic, bluegrass and original music. The Steinberger instruments optimize the acoustic sound for the electronic age with true close-your-eyes-and-it’s-acoustic tone.

Both concerts start at 7 p.m. A preshow jam at Skye Theatre will start at 6:15 p.m., when audience members who bring musical instruments can join in with the featured artists. Tickets are $10 at the door at Skye; $10 and in advance and $12.50 at the door at Lakeside. Advance tickets may be purchased at the theater or at www. rangeleymovies.com. For reservations, call Skye at 562-4445 or Lakeside at 864-5000. Skye Theater is at 2 Highland Drive off Winter Hill Road and U.S. Route 2. Lakeside Theater is on Main Street in Rangeley.