Ashelin, Newfoundland’s highly acclaimed Celtic-pop band, will make several stops in Maine this month on its first U.S. tour.

The band of five sisters will perform beginning with a sunset Celtic music cruise on the Harbor Princess in Boothbay Harbor from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13. Other concerts will be at the North New Portland Community Church on Sunday, Aug. 14; at Lakeside Theater in Rangeley on Tuesday, Aug. 16; at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center in Carthage on Wednesday, Aug. 17; and at Unity College Center for the Performing Arts in Unity on Thursday, Aug. 18.

Siblings Cassy, Joesie, Kaliyan, Shaelin and Thea Plamer began singing and dancing to Newfoundland and Irish music as far back as they can remember while learning to play a variety of instruments.

Known for their vocals and intricate harmonies, the sisters’ brand of folk roots and pop shines through their original songwriting and novel interpretations of traditional tunes. Since their first public performance in 1997, they have entertained at such high profile events as the World Podium Influential Leaders series; showcased for Contact East, the Juno Awards and the ECMAs; and received standing ovations at folk festivals across the Maritimes.

Ashelin was chosen to reflect Newfoundland culture through the eyes of an artist in a recent documentary film of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. The film, by Compass Films of Germany, centers around the expedition of world famous explorer Arved Fuchs’ “North Atlantic Tour 2010” on the path of the Vikings.

The band’s original song “Song for Mariana” was chosen over more than 600 contenders for David Suzuki’s “Playlist for the Planet,” a soon-to-be-released CD featuring some of Canada’s finest songwriters and performers. Others on the CD include Gordon Lightfoot, Bruce Cockburn, Broken Social Scene, k-os, Randy Bachman (with Sarah McLachlan and Nikki Yanofsky), Joel Plaskett, Great Big Sea, Johnny Reid and Rush.

Ashelin’s 2010 release, “The Road Not Taken,” was produced by Grammy Award-winning producer/engineer George Massenburg and ECMA Award-winning producer/engineer Al Strickland. It features performances by bassist Jamie Gatti, multi-instrumentalist J.P. Cormier and blues man John Campbelljohn.

Curtain is at 7 p.m. at NNPCC, Lakeside and Skye; 7:30 p.m in Unity. There will be a jam session 45 minutes prior to curtain at Skye and Unity.

The Harbor Princess Cruise is at Pier 6 or 22 Commercial St., Boothbay Harbor. Tickets are $20. Call 633-3500. The NNPCC is at 14 Hancock Pond Road, North New Portland. Call 562-4445 for ticket prices. Lakeside Theater is on Main Street in Rangeley. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Tickets may be purchased at Lakeside, by calling 864-5000 or at www.rangeleymovies.com. Tickets for Skye Theatre and UCCPA are $15 at the door. Skye is at 2 Highland Drive off Winter Hill Road and U.S. Route 2 in Carthage. Call 562-4445. UCCPA is at 42 Depot Street in Unity. Call 948-7469.