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SOUTH CARTHAGE – New England Celtic Arts presents Matching Orange at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center on Mother’s Day Sunday, May 9 in South Carthage at 7 p.m. There will be a pre-show jam session starting at 6:15 p.m. Audience members are encouraged to bring their instruments and jam for a few minutes with the performers.
The traditional music world contains two types of musicians: the ones that stick to the good old ways (“Trad to the bone”) and the ones that push the limits. Matching Orange is the rare group that walks this line to perfection. Distinguished by their high energy playing and brightly colored music, the sound they create is interesting and unique while maintaining a familiar feeling of agelessness. The result is an alluring complexity.
Wherever these three musicians travel, they are greeted with acclaim. Whether playing for the contradances they cut their teeth on, jamming at a local pub, or bringing the house down at a formal concert, audiences are always excited to hear such a refreshing approach to traditional fiddle music. Featuring Eric McDonald (guitar, mandolin, vocals), Eric Eid-Reiner (piano), and Brendan Carey Block (fiddle), the band creates a swirling level of intensity, sometimes gritty, sometimes pure, and always engaging. Matching Orange players take full advantage of diverse musical backgrounds, with extensive training in folk, classical, jazz, and other traditions.
Brendan Carey Block has been performing on the fiddle since he was 10 years old. For five summers he received scholarships from the New Hampshire Highland Games and the Saint Andrews Society of New Hampshire enabling him to travel to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia to immerse himself in Cape Breton music. In 2001, he became the US National Junior Scottish Fiddle Champion, and he is a three time New England champion. He has been a member of the renowned Glengarry Boys and currently performs with the Boston based Annalivia. In May of 2009, Brendan was selected by the New Hampshire Council of the Arts to represent the State at the Library of Congress and The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage in Washington DC. Brendan has performed with countless notable artists, including Natalie MacMaster, Jerry Holland, The Battlefield Band, John Whelan, Alasdair Fraser, Cherish the Ladies, Brenda Stubbert, Gaelic Storm, and Jay Ungar.
Eric McDonald picked up the mandolin when he was 17, learning from Sean Staples and Joe Walsh. In Spring of 2009, he discovered the DADGAD guitar tuning, and has been cutting his teeth at sessions and camps ever since. He was a founding member of Jaded Mandolin, a teen string band that became a local phenomenon in the Boston area. He plays regularly with Ari & Mia Friedman and tours with The Dave Rowe Trio.
Eric Eid-Reiner began playing fiddle when he was very small, proceeding to win multiple youth fiddle contests. At seven, he discovered the piano and didn’t look back. Now, he performs throughout New England with numerous groups, including the Reiner Family Band, and the Rachel Cole Band. He grew up listening to fiddle music and attending camps from Vermont to Cape Breton. In late 2007, Eric was invited to perform with Ashley Macisaac, Tony Demarco, and John Doyle.
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. Ticket price is $10 at the door. Call New England Celtic Arts at (207) 562-4445 for reservations and directions. More information at: www.necelticarts.com
