New England Celtic Arts will present The Cottars At Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center in South Carthage on Wednesday, Feb. 22, and at Unity College Center for the Performing Arts in Unity on Thursday, Feb. 23. Curtain at Skye is 7 pm and 7:30 pm in Unity. A Pre-show jam sessions at Skye & Unity will start one hour prior to curtain.
Things evolve. It’s simply a form of growth.
The Cottars have come a long way, starting as children performing to a hometown audience, through their teen years when they toured the world and shared stages with the biggest names in the business. Now they have evolved again, into young adults, mature in their skills with new faces and outlooks.
Even with their relative youth still apparent, it seems that The Cottars have been a part of Canada’s East Coast music scene for years. They have the nominations and the hardware to prove it, including East Coast Music Awards and Nova Scotia Music Industry Awards. They have the road record to prove it as well: tours throughout Canada, shows in Europe and 38 U.S. states, two tours of Japan and appearances at major festivals around the world.
Joining the original Cottars members Ciarán and Fiona MacGillivray are two new band members Rachel Davis and Bruce Timmons. Rachel is a fiddler and singer from Baddeck, Cape Breton. She adds a fresh bloom to the combination with her new style, different tune selection and lovely voice. With her roots firmly in Cape Breton, Rachel has deep background in Gaelic culture which is very evident in her music.
Bruce Timmons is a veteran guitarist with a wealth of skill and experience; both on stage and in the studio. Highly respected among his peers, he can fall into any style, from straight Celtic to something far heavier, and feel right at home.
This quartet, Ciarán and Fiona, Rachel and Bruce, has become the evolutionary culmination that is now The Cottars. “Feast” is their fourth CD, extending and expanding The Cottars’ music without ever losing track of their roots. Their roots show through clearly when they dust off something old and masterfully link it with something more contemporary.
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. UCCPA is at 42 Depot Street in Unity. Ticket price is $15 at the door. For reservations call Skye Theatre at (207) 562-4445 or UCCPA at (207) 948-7469. Reservations are strongly suggested at both venues. For more information: www.necelticarts.com
