CARTHAGE – New England Celtic Arts will celebrate Saint Patrick’s week with Northern Ireland’s premier traditional band, McPeake, at Unity College Center for the Performing Arts in Unity on Monday March 14, at the Franco American Heritage Center in Lewiston, Maine on Tuesday March 15, and at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center in South Carthage, Maine on Wednesday March 16. Curtain at the Franco Center and Skye is 7:00pm and 7:30pm in Unity. Pre-show jam sessions at Skye and Unity start one hour prior to curtain.
McPeake fuses original Celtic compositions with contemporary rhythms and styles to create their own unique sound that is an experience for the ears and soul. McPeake members have performed alongside such prestigious artists as John Lennon, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, The Chieftains, Bono of U2, Riverdance and more. Francis McPeake IV, the fourth generation of this world-famous musical dynasty, is one of the few authentic uilleann pipers in the world today. Uilleann pipes are the characteristic national bagpipe of Ireland, distinguished from other forms of bagpipes by their sweet tone and wide range of notes. Francis McPeake IV, of the world-famous musical dynasty “The McPeake Family”, is a renowned and much-respected musician. Throughout the early 1990’s he managed and co-ordinated the McPeake Family tours of the UK, USA and Europe – as well as performing with the band. Francis has also performed for, and alongside prestigious artists such as Marianne Faithful, John Hurt (“Alien,” “The Elephant Man,” “Captain Coreilli’s Mandolin”), Gerry Garcia (“Ungrateful Dead”), Bono (“U2”) and Dennis Hopper (“Easy Rider,” “Blue Velvet,” “Speed”).
McPeake began life as nothing more than a group of musicians who came together for special gigs and occasions. Francis first brought the band together for a stage show based on the Titanic, that he co-wrote in 2003. Since then they have worked with many prominent Irish artists including Brian Kennedy, Finbar Furey, Kieran Goss, Juliet Turner, and Ralph McTell. A series of one-off performances over the last 4 years has generated widespread interest from their audiences. McPeake has a creative approach to music, blending influences from Irish traditional, folk, acoustic and country genres to create their own unique sound that is an experience for the ears and soul.
Paula McPeake joined the McPeake Family in early 1990’s, touring extensively throughout USA and Europe. During these years Paula began songwriting and it soon became evident that she had a talent for merging beautiful tones and melodies with words. Paula is the established songwriter for the band. She captures the sound and soul of McPeake through her ability to perfectly combine and compliment the words and sounds from the artists.
Nick Scott on bouble bass hails from Belfast, Northern Ireland. His already long and varied musical career has seen him working with elite, world-class recording and concert artists. Tom Jones, Sinead O’Connor, Brian Kennedy and Juliet Turner are but a few. He has toured with Van Morrison for over ten years and appeared with him at the concert for celebrating President Clinton’s visit to Belfast. Nick has played bass with the phenomenally successful stage dance show “Riverdance”; touring Scandinavia, Germany, England and France. He also enjoys working as a musical director and educator with educational projects in Northern Ireland.
Sean O’Kane hails from Belfast, Northern Ireland and, attended the Francis McPeake School of Music. Starting on, and soon mastering the Tin Whistle, Sean quickly progressed to the Button Accordion. Sean has competed in many All-Ireland Fleadh competitions and (alongside Mairead) was a member of Trad Og, and both were runners-up in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards. Sean was also invited to perform at the Coolidge Theatre, Library of Congress, in Washington DC as part of the Rediscover Northern Ireland Programme in 2007.
Peter Wallace hails from a small town just outside of Belfast in County Down called Newtownards, Northern Ireland. He studied Popular Music Production at Huddersfield University and was a popular performer in the vibrant live music scene in the North of England. Following his placement in the Recording Studio of the Francis McPeake School of Music, Peter’s talent was soon discovered and he became the lead singer of the band! Peter’s predominantly Folk & Blues background brings an interesting twist to the McPeake sound.
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. UCCPA is at 42 Depot Street in Unity. Ticket price is $15 at the door. For reservations call FAHC at (207-783-1585), or Skye Theatre at (207) 562-4445 or UCCPA at (207) 948-7469. Reservations are strongly suggested at all three venues.
More information is available at: http://www.necelticarts.com
