SOUTH CARTHAGE – New England Celtic Arts will host a fund raising concert and auction at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center on Thursday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. There will be a pre-show jam at 6:15 p.m., open to audience members.
Musicians from all over Maine will gather to perform for the benefit of Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center building project. Andy Buckland of Boreal Tordu will emcee and organize the musical segments and Phill McIntyre director of New England Celtic Arts will be the guest auctioneer for the evening. Ellen Gawler along with members of the Pine Tree Fiddlers and Steve Muise with members of the Franklin County Fiddlers will be among the many artists performing for the evening.
Auction Items will include a full scholarship to the Catskills Irish Arts Week http://www.east-durham.org/irishartsweek ; Two nights lodging in Milwaukee plus tickets to Irish Fest 2009 http://www.irishfest.com many other goods and services will be auctioned to the highest bidder. The evening will alternate between performance and auction with some surprises mixed in for the enjoyment of the audience.
Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center has been operating at its current location in South Carthage Maine for the past three years. Recent changes in state fire codes make it necessary to expand and bring the facility up to code. A 42 x 42-foot addition is planed along with new restrooms and lobby areas. The new theatre will feature hardwood flooring throughout with a designated dance area adjacent to the seating area. Also featured will be a multilevel stage with a raised step dance feature that has a sound horn built into the stage. A pipers perch is planned for added effect along with rock and stone work provided by the School of Masonry in Phillips.
Skye Theatre’s thrust is Celtic and hosts major Celtic bands from all over the world. Bands hosted this season include: Back of the Moon; Tannahill Weavers; Beoga; Alistair Frasier; Cara; Old Blind Dogs; Bodega; Mary Jane Lamond; and others. Skye has also entered into an arrangement with Lakeside Theatre in Rangeley to provide live performance concerts at its facility. Over 60 concerts are planned for the current season and the number will approach 100 next season. Skye is also working with several festivals in New England and the Mid West sharing artists who are in the US to perform. Plans are also underway with the East Coast Music Association in Atlantic Canada to spearhead a series of concerts featuring Canadian performers.
Anyone wishing to donate items to the auction or musicians who want to perform may contact Phill McIntyre at 1-800-894-4300 A list of items to be auctioned may be obtained at the same number.
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: http://www.necelticarts.com
