LEWISTON — Dave Gunning, “one of the rising stars in Canadian roots music,” will perform Tuesday, Sept. 29, at the Franco-American Heritage Center.

The performer known for blending folk and innovative arrangements to his original and traditional songs will also take the stage Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center in Carthage and Thursday, Oct. 1, at Lakeside Theater in Rangeley.
All concerts, presented by New England Celtic Arts, will begin at 7 p.m.

A charismatic performer, Gunning is known for infusing his shows with his own brand of humorous tales and touching commentary on the everyday, bringing a new energy and life to his heartfelt songs.

Winning audiences across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Denmark, he has performed at numerous international festivals, showcasing events, theaters, songwriter venues and house concerts. He performs as a solo artist, with his band or as special guest with good friend and country star George Canyon on his Canadian Christmas tours.

To commemorate and celebrate the 2008 holiday tour, Gunning and Canyon released their collaborative Christmas CD, “Candles & Evergreens.” Gunning’s latest award-winning solo release, “House For Sale,” released in October 2007, demonstrates his solid songwriting ability.

Scoring two 2008 East Coast Music Awards for Male Artist of the Year and Folk Recording of the Year for his sixth recording, “House For Sale,” Gunning has solidified his place as a respected songwriter and performer.

Gunning’s song “Hard Workin’ Hands, co-written with Ron Hynes, was named First Place Winner (folk category) in the 2008 Indie International Songwriting Contest and was honored as a finalist in the USA Songwriting Competition and the John Lennon Song Contest.

General admission tickets for the Franco center and Skye Theatre are $10, $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets for the Franco center may be purchased by calling 689-2000, online at francoamericanheritage.org or at the door; for Skye Theatre tickets, call 562-4445. At Lakeside Theater, tickets are $10 in advance, $12.50 at the door. Advance tickets may be purchased at the theater, online at rangeleymovies.com or by calling 864-5000.

There will be a preshow jam at 6:15 p.m. at the Franco center and at Skye. Audience members are encouraged to bring their instruments and jam for a few minutes with the artists. Tickets for jammers 18 and under are $5.