Shannon Heaton performing
in Mexico and Farmington;
musicians invited to jam 

Highly acclaimed Irish flautist and vocalist Shannon Heaton will open her tour for her latest  project “After the Morning” at several area venues. 

Concerts will be held at the Mexico Congregational Church on Wednesday, June 3; at North Church in Farmington, for the Farmington Historical Society on Thursday, June 4; and at One Longfellow Square in Portland on Saturday, June 6. Concerts start at 7 p.m. in Mexico and Farmington and at 7:30 p.m. in Portland. Audience members are encouraged to bring their musical instruments to the 6:15 jam sessions in Mexico and Farmington.

All tickets are $15.

With Irish flute player-singer Shannon Heaton at the helm, “After the Morning” nestles stirring traditional melodies in a string quartet bed. Imagine Beethoven meets Diane Reeves in a pub in Galway: a masterful fusion of contemporary sophistication and traditional folk music appeal.

Like her work with acclaimed husband- and-wife duo Matt & Shannon Heaton and NPR-celebrated ensemble Childsplay, “After the Morning’s” music blends new compositions with a timeless spirit, and old ballads with a modern twist. The style and approach is deeply rooted in the Irish tradition, but there are also references to the Thai traditional music Heaton learned as a kid in Suphanburi, the classical compositional techniques she studied as a music student at Northwestern University and the jazz and pop music she grew up listening to.

Heaton brings a passion for bridging musical words and bringing traditional music to wide audiences.

The tour is a collaboration of New England Celtic Arts and  Patriot Renewables Masters Series.

The Mexico Congregational Church is at 163 Main St. For reservations call 207-562-4445. North Church is located at 118 High St. For reservations at North Church call: 207-778-2006. One Longfellow Square is located at 181 State St. Call 207-761-1757.  More info available at http://www.necelticarts.com