New England Celtic Arts will present Lewis MacKinnon at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center in South Carthage on Wednesday, Nov. 30 and at Unity College Center for the Performing Arts in Unity on Thursday, Dec. 1. Curtain at Skye is 7 pm and 7:30 p.m. in Unity. Pre-show jam sessions at Skye and Unity start one hour prior to curtain.
Singing in English, Scottish Gaelic and Irish, Lewis MacKinnon has performed in coffee shops, pubs, convention centers, theaters and concert halls throughout Eastern Canada since 1994. Lewis is currently the director for Gaelic Cultural Affairs in Nova Scotia and has just been crowned poet laureate for the Royal National Mòd in Scotland – an eight-day celebration of Gaelic music, dance, drama, arts and literature held annually in Scotland. It is the first time in its more than 120-year history that a non-Scot has been named poet laureate.
Born in Cape Breton and raised in Antigonish County Nova Scotia, MacKinnon has played in every Atlantic Canadian Province, Ontario and in both Scotland and Ireland. In the fall of 2007 he was a featured performer at the Féile Ámhranaíochta (The Irish Song Festival in Belfast) and also in the internationally acclaimed Celtic Colours Festival, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. In 2008 his performances included the Blas Festival in Scotland and the Celtic Colours Festival again.
His all Gaelic CD entitled “A’ Seo” – “Here” earned him an East Coast Music Award nomination and the song Ailein Duinn a traditional Gaelic song was selected to be included in the Celtic Colours Festival’s 2007 compilation CD.
MacKinnon is a vocal artist who combines passion and perspective along with powerful baritone vocals in his songs. MacKinnon’s most recent effort offers interpretations of traditional material to inspire present and future generations of learners, singers and composers. In 2008 Lewis released his first Gaelic poetry book entitled Famhair agus dàin Ghàidhlig eile (Giant and other Gaelic Poems). Included in the book are 89 Gaelic poems with English translation.
Lewis will be traveling with fellow band member Brian England of “Jug in Hand Band” fame. The show is all about audience participation and fun. The band enjoys the opportunity to interact with its audience and feeds on that spontaneous energy.
Skye Theater is located 3 miles West of East Dixfield village at 2 Highland Drive off Winter Hill Road and US RT. 2 in South Carthage. UCCPA is at 42 Depot Street in Unity. Ticket price is $25 for adults and $12.50 for children 15 and under 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 info: http://www.necelticarts
