New England Celtic Arts will present Coig at Route 27 Arts on Tuesday, Aug. 20 in Stratton, at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center in South Carthage on Wednesday Aug. 21; and at Phillips Area Community Center in Phillips, on Thursday Aug. 22. Curtain is 7  p.m. at each venue.

The group Coig (“Ko-ick,” Scottish Gaelic for the number five) was originally formed in 2010, as a promotional tour for Celtic Colours International Festival in Cape Breton, under the title “A Taste of Celtic Colours.” The tour included many stops in New Hampshire and Maine, finishing up with a very successful engagement in Bangor at the 2010 American Folk Festival. The group, which included Colin Grant, Chrissy Crowley, Darren McMullen, Rachel Davis and Jason Roach, have recently formed Coig, and will be featured at the World’s largest Irish Festival in Milwaukee on Aug. 16 thru 19. They will be coming to Maine for several shows upon their return from Milwaukee.

Colin Grant from Sydney, Cape Breton. has been touring steadily as a solo performer, as well as with Sprag Session, formerly known as the Colin Grant Band. His respect for traditional style, combined with his drive to take the Celtic fiddle to new places results in an exciting sound that is as much Buddy MacMaster as it is Ashley MacIssac.

Chrissy Crowley, from Margaree, Cape Breton has an impressive list of awards, nominations, and international appearances. Chrissy embraces her Celtic roots and makes them her own, through original compositions coupled with contemporary arrangements of traditional tunes.

Rachel Davis from Baddeck, Cape Breton, spends her time switching from international festival stages to small local dances at home. In a genre that sees many performers pushing the envelope and testing new waters, her style of playing trad tunes in a trad way is a refreshing reminder of why the Cape Breton fiddle style drives so hard, and is so sought after. She has toured for several years in Maine with Master Cape Breton songwriter and entertainer Buddy MacDonald.

Jason Roach, from Cheticamp, Cape Breton, is one of the most impressive piano players on the scene today. With a style all his own, and an unparalleled intensity on the keys, his driving rhythms have made him very popular in Celtic circles both here and abroad.

Darren McMullen, from Hardwoodlands, Nova Scotia, is a highly sought after multi-instrumentalist. Easily switching between guitar, mandolin, whistle and banjo with Coig, this “musical swiss-army knife” keeps the rhythm sound diverse, and is sure to impress with his lead playing of his various “on-stage weapon.”

Busy solo appearances do not allow these five musicians to play together on the same stage often, however they jumped at the chance to return to Maine as an ensemble and perform in the region once again.

Skye Theater is located 3 miles West of East Dixfield village at 2 Highland Drive off Winter Hill Rd and US RT. 2 in South Carthage. The Phillips Area Community Center is located at 21 Depot St. in Phillips. Route 27 Arts is located at the Stratton Community Building, 88 Main St., Stratton. Tickets are $15 at all locations. For reservations call Skye Theatre at 207-562-4445, for Route 27 Arts 207-264-2300 (answered as Flagstaff Fuel); for Phillips tickets are at the door.

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