PORTLAND — New England Celtic Arts will present The Fretless at St. Lawrence Arts in Portland on Tuesday May 14, and at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center in So Carthage, Maine on Wednesday, May 15. Curtain is 7 p.m. and a jam session will start one hour before curtain at Skye Theatre.

The Fretless is a new approach to folk music that is quickly gaining high acclaim around the world. This unique band is taking string music to fascinating places as it transforms fiddle tunes and folk melodies into intricate, beautiful, high-energy arrangements.

In November 2011, Karrnnel Sawitsky, Ivonne Hernandez, Eric Wright and Trent Freeman got together for the first time on Vancouver Island to start rehearsing this project. After 10 days of writing, arranging, practicing and an absurd amount of tea, The Fretless emerged as a band.

With the release of their debut album “Waterbound” in early 2012, which features their fresh styles, compositions, and collaborations with singers Ruth Moody and Norah Rendell, the quartet grabbed the attention of critics and fans across many genres.

The Fretless is an innovation in music that must be heard. They harbor all the energy of fiddle tunes, while shattering all expectations in writing, creativity and performance.

Tickets are $15 at the door. For the performance at St. Lawrence Arts, 76 Congress St., Portland, tickets are available through Bullmoose and Brown Paper Tickets, 207-775-5568 or www.stlawrencearts.org. For reservations at Skye, Winter Hill Rd., South Carthage, call 207-562-4445. Reservations are strongly suggested at both venues.

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