The Celtic music series provided by New England Celtic Arts will expand this year to include more than 160 concerts in eight venues and at four festivals in Maine and New Hampshire. Performers from all over the world now come into Maine for mid-week concerts. They stay at Skye Theatre while in the region and travel to perform at the Franco-American Heritage Center in Lewiston, Unity Center for the Performing Arts in Unity, Lakeside Theater in Rangeley and St. Kieran’s Community Center in Berlin, N.H.

Among this year’s artists are The Boys of the Lough, Vishten, The Irish Descendants, Gadelle, Pogey, Bua, Celtic Spring, Cara, Archie Fisher and Dave Carroll. Two showcase tours will be featured this summer, the Festival of Small Halls from Prince Edward Island in May and the World famous Celtic Colours International Festival from Cape Breton in August.

For a 2010 schedule of events, visit www.necelticarts.com.

Beaton is making a name for herself in dance halls, concerts, ceilidhs and festivals. The youngest of generations of Beaton musicians, her father, Kinnon, is an influential Cape Breton fiddler and her mother, Betty Lou Beaton, is a reputed piano accompanist. Her uncle, Buddy MacMaster, is the most revered fiddler on Cape Breton Island; and her cousin, Natalie MacMaster, is a popular fiddler as well.

Beaton’s music is at once her own and deeply rooted in the tradition associated with the Mabou Coal Mines. Her first CD, “License to Drive ‘Er,” led to her nomination as Roots Traditional Solo Artist of the Year at the East Coast Music Awards. Her 2004 release, “Cuts,” was nominated for the 2005 Instrumental Recording of the Year at the East Coast Music Awards.

Beaton recorded her latest release, “The Tap Session,” live at a pub during a tour of Scotland.

The concert will begin at 7 p.m., with a jam session at 6:15 when audience members are may bring instruments and play with the featured artist.

Skye Theater is at 2 Highland Drive off Winter Hill Road and U.S. Route 2. Tickets are $10 at the door. For reservations, call 562-4445.