FARMINGTON – New England Celtic Arts will present Ireland’s highly-rated, award-winning, FullSet at the North Church for the Farmington Historical Society on Thursday, Feb. 19 and at the Mexico Congregational Church on Saturday, Feb. 21. Both concerts start at 7 p.m. A jam session begins at 6:15 p.m. in both locations. Audience members are encouraged to bring their musical instruments to the jam sessions.
A very busy concert season is planned with New England Celtic Arts in Franklin and Oxford Counties with performances at several venues in the region. Farmington Historical Society’s North Church is the center of the activity with 20-plus events at that venue alone. The Green Church Concert Series in Mexico is looking at 10-plus events. Deertrees will have a solid lineup starting in June and other locations include Old South Church in Farmington, Rangeley Lakeside Theatre with the Rangeley Friends of the Arts; Phillips Area Community Center; Route 27 Arts in Stratton; and the North New Portland Community Church. By working together, the region is able to attract top level touring bands from Canada, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, New England and beyond. The newly branded “Songs Beyond Borders” will involve four showcase tours matching Canada’s East Coast Music Association artists with local and regional artists. This is the 11th season for NECA.
“We will have a very strong season even with the closing of Skye Theatre,” said Phill McIntyre director of NECA.
All accomplished young musicians in their own right, FullSet create a stunning and unique sound that is full of energy and innovation, whilst all the time remaining true to their traditional roots. In recent years this young group has received much critical acclaim, even being compared to super-groups such as Danú & Altan by respected Irish Music Magazine. FullSet are set to thrill audiences throughout the world.
Following the tremendous success of their debut album “Notes At Liberty,” FullSet are quickly becoming one of the most well known bands in the Irish music scene today. In October 2011 they were honored by being announced as the winners of the RTÉ/RAAP Breakthrough Annual Music Bursary Award. Having been shortlisted along with 12 other groups in four different categories ahead of a field of almost 800 other groups and artists. As well as this, in 2012 FullSet were honored to receive “Best New Group Award” from the well respected Irish American News as well as “Best New Comer” in Bill Margeson’s Live Ireland Awards.
To date FullSet have performed on some of Ireland’s most prestigious TV programmes including The Late Late Show and TG4’s hugely popular Irish music series Geantraí. They have also performed at various festivals and venues across America and Europe including Copenhagen Irish Festival, the Festival Interceltique de Lorient, The Michigan Irish Festival and also the North Texas Irish Festival. During this time they have shared the stage with some of the biggest names in folk and world music including Moya Brennan, Fred Morrison, Lúnasa, Carlos Núnez, Andy Irvine, Donal Lunny and Beoga. 2013 is shaping up to be a very exciting year for FullSet with the release of their second album “Notes after Dark”
North Church is located at 118 High Street Farmington, Me. Concert ticket price is $15.00 at both locations. For reservations at North Church call: 207-778-2006. The Mexico Congregational Church is at 163 Main Street Mexico Maine. For reservations call 207-491-0273.
More information is available at http://www.necelticarts.com
