New England Celtic Arts will present the Internationally acclaimed Kane Sisters, at Fisherman’s Wharf Inn in Boothbay Harbor, on Monday, July 4; at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center in South Carthage, on Wednesday, July 6, and at Unity College Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, July 7. Curtain is at 7 pm at Lakeside and Skye and 7:30 p.m. in Unity. There is a pre-show jam session 45 minutes prior to curtain at Skye and Unity. Audience members are encouraged to bring their instruments and jam with the artists for a few minutes. It will be the 7th annual “Strawberry Shortcake Night” at Skye Theatre featuring reflector baked biscuits, fresh strawberries and real whipped cream.
From North Connemara, Liz and Yvonne Kane, known as The Kane Sisters, are much respected musicians and educators. Born in Letterfrack, they were educated in Kylemore Abbey School. They were taught music by their grandfather, local fiddle player, Jimmy Mullen and Mary Finn, a Co.Sligo musician and teacher.
Liz and Yvonne first came to national and international prominence during the three-year period in which they toured with accordion player, Sharon Shannon as members of her band, The Woodchoppers. They traveled all over the world with her band and are featured artists on Sharon’s album ‘The Diamond Mountain Sessions’. At that time, a Hot Press review by Siobhan Long confirmed ‘…while ‘Fire in their Bellies’ (with Liz and Yvonne Kane) is ensemble playing at its best and most naked.’
Following this period of touring with Sharon Shannon, the girls decided to embark musically on their own and they recorded their first album together entitled ‘The Well Tempered Bow’. This received rave reviews including this review from well known New York music critic, Earle Hitchner:
“Aptly titled, ‘The Well-Tempered Bow’ is fine-honed unison fiddling by two musicians who know how to draw out the heat and light within a melody. There’s no superficial flashiness substituting for a more difficult-to-achieve understanding of what makes a tune tick. This duo debut has real depth and heft, with superb accompaniment from guitarist and pianist John Blake, a member of the band Téada. The Kanes Head Up Best Traditional Albums of 2002”
The Kane Sisters toured Ireland and the United States following the release of their first album and this followed with a second album entitled ‘Under the Diamond’ in 2004. Their latest album ‘Side by Side’ was launched in July 2010 at The Catskills Irish Festival in East Durham, N.Y. and followed by a two week tour with concertina player Edel Fox.
Based in Letterfrack currently, Liz and Yvonne teach music during the school year and tour in the U.S. during the summer. Between them, they have close to 200 students and travel all over the west coast of Ireland teaching music.
Fisherman’s Wharf Inn is at 22 Commercial Street Boothbay Harbor. 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 $15.00 at the door. For reservations at the theater you wish to attend call: Fisherman’s Wharf Inn at 800-628-6872 or Skye Theatre at (207) 562-4445 or Unity Center for the Performing Arts at (207) 948-7469.
Fisherman’s Wharf Inn is a dinner concert. Tickets are $25. More information is available at: www.necelticarts.com/
