CARTHAGE — Emerging Celtic music ensemble Trì (pronounced “tree”) will be appearing at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center, 2 Highland Drive in South Carthage and at Unity Center for the Performing Arts on Depot St., on April 14 and 15.

Tri includes three of New England’s most sought after traditional Celtic musicians: award- winning bagpiper Matthew Phelps, highly acclaimed fiddler Doug Lamey, and the band’s emcee and guitarist Cliff McGann. They can be seen and heard at festivals across North America, on WGBH radio, and many local TV stations throughout New England.

Lamey is the grandson of legendary fiddler Bill Lamey,  who was an extraordinary Cape Breton fiddler and contributor to the Scottish and Cape Breton heritage in the Boston area for over 35 years. At the age of 5, Doug found one of his grandfather’s violins hidden behind a couch in his home, and ever since opening that violin case, he knew playing the violin would be a big part of his life. He had his first fiddle lesson from Natalie MacMaster in his aunt Patricia’s kitchen during the fall of 1990, and for the next several years studied classically through the music department at Wheaton College in his hometown of Norton, Massachusetts.

McGann’s guitar playing is a unique sound to hear these days in New England. One might have to travel to Nova Scotia or Ireland to hear something similar to his style. McGann has strong Celtic roots, where his mother is a MacDonald from Lanark, Nova Scotia, and father Irish all the way back to the Emerald Isle. Knowing this, we can truly understand why he admires musical virtuosos such as Dave MacIsaac and John Doyle.

Phelps has competed throughout the eastern United States as well as in Canada and Scotland. In 1998 he placed first in the eastern United States Pipe Band Association rankings for grade 1 and was promoted to open or professional competitive status in 1999. Phelps has played with the Trumbull and District Pipe Band of Connecticut, The Gaelic College Pipe Band of Nova Scotia, the Saint Andrews College Pipe Band of North Carolina, the Tulach Ard Pipe Band of Massachusetts, and the Halifax Regional Police Pipes & Drums of Nova Scotia. He was also a member of the Pipes & Drums of the 78th Highlanders when he worked as a re-enactor at the Citadel National Historic Site in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The Skye show begins at  7 p.m., and at Unity the curtain goes up at 7:30.

There is a pre-show jam session 45 minutes prior to curtain at both venues. Audience members are encouraged to bring their instruments and jam with the artists for a few minutes.

For reservations call Skye Theatre at 562-4445, or Unity arts center at 948-7469. Tickets are $10 at both Skye and Unity.

More information is available at: http://www.necelticarts.com


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