New England Celtic Arts will present Maeve Gilchrist and Nic Gareiss at Acoustic Artisans in Portland on Tuesday, May 27,  and at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center in south Carthage on Wednesday, May 28. Curtain is 7 p.m. at both locations. A pre-show jam at Skye Theatre will start at 6:15 p.m.

Michigan-born percussive-dancer Nic Gareiss and Scottish harpist Maeve Gilchrist met while both were teaching at the Shasta Fiddle Camp in northern California. They continued their musical relationship with spontaneous collaborations at festivals and chance meetings and later toured together as part of Darol Anger’s band, The Furies.

Sharing a deep respect for traditional music and culture while drawing on contemporary elements of music, dance, rhythm and improvisation, Nic and Maeve emerged from the vibrant new acoustic scene as innovators in their fields. The percussion and drive of Nic’s footwork combined with Maeve’s melodic and improvisational sensibilities make for an explosive duet that delights both the ears and the eyes.

Maeve Gilchrist was born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland. Daughter to an Irish mother and Scottish father, she grew up immersed in traditional folk music. At an early age, Maeve was accepted into the City of Edinburgh Music School where she spent seven years studying classical piano, clarsach (Celtic harp) and vocals. From her early teens, Maeve was an in-demand member on the traditional music scene in Scotland where she performed at events such as the opening of the Scottish Parliament, the Celtic Connections Festival and the International Edinburgh Harp Festival. At 17, Maeve received a full scholarship from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she studied jazz and world music alongside a colorful career as a professional musician and teacher.

Skye Theater is located 3 miles west of East Dixfield village at 2 Highland Drive off Winter Hill Road and Route 2 in south Carthage. Acoustic Artisans is located at 594 Congress St., Portland. Tickets are $15. For reservations at Skye Theatre, call 207-562-4445; for Acoustic Artisans, go online at: http://acousticartisans.com or call 207-671-6029. More information is available at www.necelticarts.com.

Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7Zq8aUzXCw