CARTHAGE — New England Celtic Arts will present Michael Black and daughters at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center on Sunday, Aug. 4. Curtain is at 7 p.m. There is a pre-show jam session 45 minutes prior to curtain. Audience members are encouraged to bring their instruments and jam with the performers for a few minutes.

Black began his career in music by listening to his mother Patty Black singing around the kitchen during his childhood. His father, Kevin Black, was an accomplished musician who came from a family of musicians who played regularly for the Island Ceili Dances. The family home in Dublin hosted informal “hoolies” on weekends where friends would gather after the pub closed and there would be songs and stories going on until the wee hours of the morning. It was here that Black and his brothers and sisters were paraded out to sing their party pieces.

Black’s love of music stems from his parent’s desire to see music and song as a cherished and vital part of everyday life. It was always a “natural” for him to sing. He was singing on stage when he was eight and became natural crowd pleaser.

Black continues to play guitar and banjo, but his real love is the songs. He believes that songs and music “are good for the soul” and this inherent love of music continues to give him an emotional lift. His three daughters will perform with him onstage with vocals, instrumentals and traditional Irish dance.

Skye Theater is at 2 Highland Drive. Tickets are $15 at the door. For reservations, call 207-562-4445.

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