New England Celtic Arts will host the dynamic Boston Based acoustic quintet “Annalivia” at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center in South Carthage, Maine on Wednesday March 25th, and at the Lakeside Theater in Rangeley on Thursday March 26th with the concerts starting at 7:00 PM at both theaters. A pre-show jam will start at 6:15 at Skye Theatre please bring your instruments and join in. Reservations are strongly suggested at both venues.
Annalivia is one of the latest hip young alt-traditional bands to emerge from the potent Boston fiddle music scene. The acoustic quintet features the beautiful voice of Liz Simmons, a protégé of famed Irish singer Karan Casey. Fiddle champions Brendan Carey Block and Emerald Rae, guitarist/vocalist Flynn Cohen, and bass player/banjo picker Stuart Kenney joins Liz. Together, their music combines Anglo-Celtic ballad singing and fiddle music traditions with their North American counterparts—Appalachia and Cape Breton-all with a groove-centric contemporary flair.
LIZ SIMMONS – VOCALS, GUITAR
Liz grew up in a musical family in southern New Hampshire. She has also performed with North Cregg (from County Cork, Ireland), Irish accordionist John Whelan, The Sevens, and is working on a side project with flute player Shannon Heaton.
BRENDEN CAREY BLOCK – FIDDLE
Constantly in pursuit of the boundaries of the violin, and in turn pushing them as far as he can, Twenty-three year-old Brendan Carey Block (the 2000 – 2001 US National Junior Scottish Fiddle Champion) has been performing since the age of ten. His love for the traditional fiddle music of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia has had a huge part in crafting his current innovative and energetic sound which now incorporates Jazz and Rock elements as well as ideas from the many Celtic regions of the world. Brendan has toured and recorded with many great artists including the renowned Glengarry Boys.
EMERALD RAE – FIDDLE, VOCALS, DANCE
Emerald is a U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion and a graduate of Berklee College of Music. She also performs with her own band, The Emerald Rae Trio.
FLYNN COHEN – GUITAR, VOCALS
Flynn has recorded and performed with many notable acts in traditional and contemporary acoustic music, including Halali, Cathie Ryan, Aoife Clancy, John Whelan, Skip Healy, John McGann, Mark Simos, Adrienne Young, and has recorded two solo albums.
STUART KENNEY – BASS, 5-STRING BANJO
Stuart toured for more than a decade with the world’s most popular contra dance band Wild Asparagus. He is one of the most sought-after bass players in the scene, having worked with Dewey Balfa, Karen Tweed, and the Sevens.
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. Lakeside Theater is on Main Street in Rangeley. Ticket price is $10.00 at the door. Call Skye Theatre at (207) 562-4445 or Lakeside Theater at 864-5000 for reservations and directions. More information is available at: http://www.necelticarts.com
