MEXICO — Phill McIntyre of New England Celtic Arts will include Rumford’s 49 Franklin as another venue for people to enjoy the music of world-class musicians.

During its third season, the Green Church in Mexico has been showcasing talented musicians from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Maritime Provinces.

According to McIntyre, the musicians he selects are on their way to play at larger venues in Portland, New Hampshire, Boston or New York.

“Instead of just sitting around in their hotel rooms, they can choose to come to our area and get to play some music,” he said. And when they do choose to come, he often houses them in his home where they can relax and enjoy some rural Maine scenery.

McIntyre also contacts representatives from other venues such as the Chocolate Church in Bath to come and see the bands and possibly feature them at their locales.

McIntyre said some concertgoers may enjoy 49 Franklin more than the Green Church. The former is a “cabaret style” with smaller tables and chairs, creating a “listening atmosphere,” according to owner Scot Grassette. Also, there is room to dance, and air-conditioning.

McIntyre said it’s important to provide “texture” in the types of musicians he brings in, so besides Celtic-oriented there are those who play blues, folk, bluegrass and jazz.

He said he doesn’t book any acts that he hasn’t seen and the bands he chooses have to be not only “good bands,” but they also must have “entertainment quality.”

The musicians he chooses and the songs they perform is “music that is in us, and many people from the River Valley have roots with the Acadians, (especially those) coming from Prince Edward Island.”

McIntyre thinks the River Valley was “getting rather deflated, but now there are signs that things are coming back, especially when you bring culture to the mix. Celtic music draws people from 60 miles and more, from areas like Bethel, Berlin, (New Hampshire) and Andover.”

The next concert at the Mexico Green Church will feature Scott Macmillan and Colin Grant, award-winning composers and multi-instrumentalists from Nova Scotia, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8.

The first Celtic Cabaret concert at 49 Franklin will be the East Pointers from Prince Edward Island. Their music is a modernized blend of traditional Celtic and folk tunes. They will perform at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15.

For a complete concert listing of New England Celtic Arts events and to purchase tickets, go to necelticarts.com. Tickets may also be purchased for 49 Franklin concerts at 49franklin.com or at 49 Franklin.

mhutchinson@sunmediagroup.net

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