LEWISTON — John and Ellen Gawler joined by their daughters, Molly, Edith and Elsie Gawler, will bring an eclectic assortment of old and new sounds from many folk traditions to the stage at three venues next week.

They will present interweaving family harmonies and play fiddles, banjo, wooden banjo, cello, guitar, ukulele and piano.
They will bring “The Gawler Family’s New Year Celebration” to Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center in Carthage on Sunday Dec. 27, to Lakeside Theater in Rangeley on Monday Dec. 28 and to the Franco American Heritage Center in Lewiston on Tuesday, Dec. 29.

The Gawler Family will close out the Celtic Series for 2009 put on by New England Celtic Arts in partnership with the three venues. The Celtic Series has also included performances at Unity College Performing Arts Center in Unity and will expand to St. Kieran’s Community Center in Berlin N.H. Also in 2010, the series will be affiliated with several festivals, including the Maine Celtic Festival in Belfast, the Maine Highland Games in Topsham, the Wilton Blueberry Festival in Wilton and Saddleback Ski Area.

Whether crooning a quietly poignant ballad or delivering a rollicking fiddle tune, the Gawler Family’s arrangements often go along with antidotes of historical or humorous content. Although the Gawlers may be best known for their extensive collection of dance tunes in the Scots-Irish and French Canadian traditions, their repertoire may also include a gutsy Appalachian work song, an a cappella number or an amusing ode to everyday life.

Known for their infectious spirit and musicianship, the Gawlers have a CD, “Golden Thread,” to their credit.

John is known for his fun-loving and original renditions of traditional music, as well as his finger-picking guitar and banjo playing. Ellen is a celebrated Maine fiddler conversant in many styles, including Maritime, Irish, New England, Shetland, and Quebecois.

Molly earned a bachelor of fine arts degree at SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance. She performs with Pilobolus Dance Theatre’s international touring company, appearing on the Academy Awards show, “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and “Late Night TV with Connan O’Brian.” She has also performed with Corbin Dances from New York City, Nelly Van Bommel from France and Pickleshoes from Georgia.

Edith, a guitarist, has recently returned from travels around the world. Also accomplished on the fiddle, piano and banjo, she fills in the Gawler ensemble with her rich, low harmonies.

Elsie takes her inspiration from a new sound that incorporates the cello into folk music with a range of chops, backup rhythms and innovative chord structures. With fiddle music deeply embedded in her musical sensibilities, she delivers lively jigs and reels as easily as melancholy waltzes on her cello. She is a recent convert to the ukulele, offering a new dimension to the Gawler family sound.

Curtain is at 7 p.m. for all the theaters. There will be a preshow jam at 6 p.m. at Skye when audience members are encouraged to bring their instruments and play for a few minutes with the artists. A contra dance will follow the concert at Skye at 9 p.m.
General admission tickets for the Franco center are $10, $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets may be purchased by calling 689-2000, online at francoamericanheritage.org or at the door. For Skye Theatre tickets ($10/$5), call 562-4445. At Lakeside Theater, tickets are $10 in advance, $12.50 at the door. They may be purchased at the theater, online at rangeleymovies.com or by calling 864-5000.