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A Lewiston-Auburn holiday tradition is expanding to concert halls around Maine. Since the early ’90s, Dave Rowe and Phil House have been performing a holiday concert together at the First Universalist Church in Auburn. Through the years the concert has undergone changes. The first four or five years, Dave was joined on stage by his late father, Tom (also of Schooner Fare) in their duo called Rowe by Rowe. The concert was actually the elder Rowe’s idea. After several years, Denny Breau joined in the fun when he joined the Rowes’ band, becoming a trio called Turkey Hollow. Tom Rowe passed away in early 2004, and that year Dave began the Dave Rowe Trio which has been at the concert every year since, along with Denny and Phil.
“It’s a family affair in every sense,” explained Dave Rowe. “Phil and I have been performing this show together for so long, and now Denny has since 1998. It’s just like getting together with family and friends for a little music over the holidays. I don’t think any of us would miss this for the world!”
This year, at the urging of Phill McIntyre of New England Celtic Arts, this merry band of local musicians, in addition to their annual holiday show at the First Universalist Church in Auburn, is taking the show on the road at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center’s “Maine Mountain Christmas” in South Carthage on Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. and to Unity College Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. They will then round out the week where it all began, at the First Universalist Church in Auburn on Saturday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. A pot luck supper will be held at Skye Theatre starting at 5:30 in place of Skye’s usual pre-show jam session. A pre-show jam will be held in Unity starting at 6:30.
The Dave Rowe Trio includes singer/guitarist, Dave Rowe, who grew up surrounded by music. A third generation professional musician, both of his grandfathers and both of his parents played professionally, and Dave is pleased to continue in the family business. Bassist, Kevin O’Reilly, well known for his inovative approach to all styles of music. Astonishing fiddler, Zach Ovington, grew up in Tennessee and first hit the road alongside some of Nashville’s best and brightest. The trio, one of the area’s most popular folk groups, also tours nationally, bringing their brand of original and traditional music to audiences across the country.
Breau, guitar master and songwriter, is a Lewiston-Auburn hometown boy who has made a name for himself as much for his guitar skills as for his ease and gentle on-stage humor. He and Rowe were band mates in Turkey Hollow with Dave’s dad. Denny Breau’s rhythmically flawless and dazzlingly clear style allows him to do amazing and stunning things with a six-string guitar. He first draws in an audience with a finely arranged melody and then slides effortlessly into scorching fingerwork that sets ears aflame. The lighting fast guitar lines that seem almost humanly impossible to accomplish are balanced with those that have a quiet intimacy and wrap tenderly around his carefully crafted songs.
Phil House, has been organist at the Universalist Unitarian Church in Auburn, Maine for over 20 years. Originally from Bryant Pond, Phil traveled the southern U.S., settling for a time in Tennessee where he spent time playing organ and piano in Southern Baptist churches. It was there he learned and developed his unique stride piano style. Phil has recorded several solo piano CD projects and even one pipe organ recording back in 2007.
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, ME. UCCPA is at 42 Depot Street, Unity, ME. First Universalist Church is at 169 Pleasant St., Auburn, ME on the corner of Spring, Pleasant, and Elm Streets. For reservations call Skye Theatre at (207) 562-4445 or for UCCPA call (207) 948-7469. As always tickets for the Auburn show will only be available at the door, no reservations offered. For more information about the Auburn show, call toll-free (866) 655-7171. Admission for any of these shows is $15. Related websites: http://www.necelticarts.com; http://daverowemusic.com; http://uuauburn.org
