CARTHAGE – New England Celtic Arts will present David Munnelly and Mick Coneelly at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, Aug. 6, at Deertrees Theatre in Harrison on Thursday, Aug. 7, and at Route 27 Arts in Stratton on Friday, Aug. 8. Curtain is 7 p.m. at Skye Theatre and Phillips, and 7:30 p.m. at Deertrees. A pre-show jam session at Skye starts at 6:15 p.m.
The second you hear the ebb and flow of the music that emanates from David Munnelly’s accordion, you will be instantly convinced that this man was born with a button box in his hands. Hailing from Belmullet, a small town by the sea in Co. Mayo, Ireland, David has carried the strong musical tradition from his home and family across the world.
David is known for his colorful style which inhales bold bass fingerings, complex arrangements and modern compositions; and exhales hints of the Roaring 20′s and the energy of a box of dynamite coupled with a masterful knack for letting a tune take its own time for a completely unmistakable and brilliant sound.
“Dave and Mick are master musicians no doubt about it, they have the credentials: the track record, the bands, albums and collaborations, but here you get more than just great musicianship, you get a dialogue, a conversation happening now, not parroted lines from some slickly rehearsed ensemble, that is the real excitement here. Clearly they have practice long and hard, there are gaps and stops and changes of rhythm, which the boys hit spot on, but you’d be forgiven if you thought they’d just walked into the pub and played straight of the cuff.” – Seán Laffey
Mick is one of the most acclaimed and respected fiddle players in the Irish tradition. To date he has played, toured and recorded with many artists, most notably De Danann. In 2001 his debut solo album “Selkie” was released to critical acclaim on the prestigious boutique trad label Clo Iar-Chonnacht and he has recorded on numerous albums to date. Mick is a leading exponent of the 6-string Greek bouzouki in Irish traditional music.
Mick played fiddle with legendary Irish music group De Danann periodically over 22 years from 1991-2013 (full-time between 2009-2013, recording one studio album “Wonderwaltz” with the band in 2010). Currently Mick is collaborating with David Munnelly promoting their duet album “Tis What it Is.”
Skye Theater is located three miles West of East Dixfield village at 2 Highland Drive off Winter Hill Rd and US RT. 2 in South Carthage. Deertrees Theatre is at 156 Deertrees Road in Harrison, Me. Route 27 Arts is located at the Stratton Community Building 88 Main St Stratton, Me. For reservations call Skye Theatre at (207) 562-4445, for Deertrees at 207-583-6747, or on line at http://www.deertreestheatre.org , for Rt 27 Arts call 207-264-2300 (answered as Flagstaff Country Store). Tickets are $15 at Skye and Stratton, and at Deertrees $22.00.
