CARTHAGE — New England Celtic Arts will host a rather ambitious version of Highland Soles by Maine fiddler Ed Pearlman and dancer Laura Scott, with special guests David Surette and Susie Burke, Sunday, Aug. 2, at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center.

Based in Maine, Highland Soles presents Highland dance, Cape Breton step dance, Scottish Highland folk dances and new choreographies with both traditional and original music. Also offered will be the works of Robert Burns in honor of his 250th anniversary.

The concert will begin at 7 p.m. This is the first in a series of four Sunday concerts to be held at Skye Theatre in August. A pre-show jam will start at 6:15 p.m.; concertgoers are urged to bring your musical instruments and join in.

The dance and music of Highland Soles are rooted in the traditions of Scotland and Cape Breton, with a good dose of innovation.

Scott and Pearlman, one of America’s top fiddlers in the Scottish style, are joined by virtuoso family members Neil, Lilly and Jessie Pearlman on mandolin, piano, fiddle and dance.

Scott and Pearlman have worked with many of today’s top Celtic artists over the past 25 years.

Scott has performed with Natalie MacMaster, Alasdair Fraser, Battlefield Band, Joe Cormier, Tony Cuffe and many other great Celtic artists. As a teacher, she is well grounded in tradition but also loves to push the artistic envelope and meld Highland, Cape Breton step and Highland folk.

Pearlman has performed many styles of music, but has specialized in Scottish/Cape Breton fiddling for 30 years. He directed the Boston Scottish Fiddle Club for 18 years and has taught many workshops and lessons, including Maine Fiddle Camp and the Blazin Fiddles camp in Beauly, Scotland.

Burke and Surette have made a name for themselves as one of the finest acts on the lively New England folk scene. Together since 1988, they have built a steady following for their own blend of contemporary, traditional and original folk and acoustic music.

Burke has been singing on seacoast stages since the early ’80s, as a soloist, a member of several local bands and in several duos, including one with guitar whiz Harvey Reid. Her musical tastes and influences are varied, encompassing contemporary and traditional folk, swing, country, topical songs, and a cappella singing, with detours along the way for Broadway show tunes and classic ballads.

Surette has been performing since the mid-80s, both with Burke and with a number of other groups and musicians. He is a well-known accompanist in New England’s contra dance and Celtic music circles, and a sought-after studio musician.
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.