World-famous Irish fiddles Niamh Ni Charra to tour in Maine

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New England Celtic Arts in partnership with The Franco American Heritage Center will present world-famous Irish fiddler Niamh Ni Charra at the Franco American Heritage Center in Lewiston on Tuesday July 28th, 2009, at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center in South Carthage, Maine on Wednesday July 29th and at Lakeside Theater in Rangeley on Thursday July 30th.

There will be a pre-show jam at 6:15 p.m. at FAHC and at Skye. Audience members are encouraged to bring their instruments and jam for a few minutes with the artists.

Niamh Ni Charra hails from Killarney, County Kerry in the south west of Ireland. Strongly influenced by the wealth of local Sliabh Luachra musicians, she started playing music at the early age of 4, under the tutelage of well-known local musician Nicky McAuliffe. Equally talented on fiddle and concertina, she has won numerous awards, including Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, Oireachtas, and Slogadh Naisiunta and has represented Ireland at folk festivals in Britain and France. Somewhat of a child prodigy, she had support gigs for The Chieftains, and Noel Hill under her belt before she reached her teens.

Despite this rich background, she put aside her music to pursue a career in Electronic Engineering. After graduating with honours, Niamh was employed by an Irish software company who regularly sent her on business trips to Boston. Here she was exposed to a continuous flow of Irish musicians (Arcady, Sharon Shannon, Nomos) as well as locally based musicians (Paddy Keenan , Seamus Connolly, Tommy McCarthy).
The draw of the music proved too strong, and Niamh decided to resign from work to pursue a career in music. She moved to Cork to take a year long course in ‘Music, Management, and Sound’ at Colaiste Stiofain Naofa, where she graduated with distinctions in every subject – the only student ever to have achieved this feat. The college subsequently awarded her “Musician of the Year”. She swiftly followed this with recordings for Irish radio and television, and performances with Riverdance ‘s european troupe in Europe, Asia and on board the QE2, before joining the U.S. troupe in 1998. Niamh performed with Riverdance from that date until December 2005, touring with them in North America. From Mexico to Vancouver, and Los Angeles to Broadway, New York, Niamh has delighted audiences with her fiery fiddling, fancy footwork and dazzling smiles. More recently she shared her talents in Riverdance’s Irish and Far East productions performing in her native capital as well as the more exotic locations of Tokyo and Taipei among others.

Niamh has returned to Dublin, Ireland where she is working as a freelance musician, regularly gigging across the city. She has taught both fiddle and concertina at Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann’s national headquarters, An Culturlann in Monkstown, and regularly gives workshops. She released her debut album “Ón Dá Thaobh / From Both Sides” in 2007 to much critical acclaim – apart from many great reviews, Niam’s album was the only Irish album to be listed in Mojo´s Top Ten Folk Albums for 2007. The Irish World – the largest newspaper for the Irish community in Britain, also presented her with the “Best Traditional Music Act” award, 2008. She is a member of the Carlos Nunez band and tours both with them and as a solo artist.

The Franco American Heritage Center is located on 46 Cedar Street in Lewiston. 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*. For reservations at the theater you wish to attend call: FAHC at (207)-689-2000, or Skye Theatre at (207) 562-4445 or Lakeside Theater at 864-5000.

*(Lakeside Theater is $10 in advance and $12.50 at the door. Advance tickets may be purchased at the theater or on the website, http://www.rangeleymovies.com

More information is available at: http://www.necelticarts.com.

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