PHILLIPS – New England Celtic Arts will present the Juno Award winning Newfoundland super group “The Ennis Sisters” at Phillips Area Community Center on Tuesday, July 26, and at North Church Concerts with the Farmington Historical Society on Wednesday, July 27. Curtain times are 7 p.m. at both locations. A public jam session and pie social will precede the concert in Farmington starting at 6 pm.
With multiple accolades – a Juno Award, SOCAN Award, multiple East Coast Music Awards, and Music Newfoundland and Labrador Awards, The Ennis Sisters, comprised of Maureen, Teresa and Karen Ennis, are world renowned, celebrated songbirds. With their buttery harmonies, and voices as powerful as the Atlantic, it’s in their bones to sing.
The Ennis Sisters were born and raised on Irish Newfoundland tunes. Their father is a traditional button accordion player, and mother grew up on the southern shore of the Avalon, surrounded by music. Throughout the Ennis Sisters’ childhood, if their parents weren’t making music, it was coming through the radio – particularly the Irish Newfoundland radio shows, which aired on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
“There was just no escaping the Irish Newfoundland, Traditional music growing up,” Karen Ennis said. “When we first began singing for an audience, these were the songs we sang. It’s what came easiest and most natural, and still does.”
Their new CD release “Stages” is a love letter to old world Newfoundland with a modern flair. Songs like “Dreaming My Dreams With You,” “The Pines,” “Rock Yourself On The Ocean,” and “Out From St. Leonard’s,” conjure up the island’s otherworldly beauty, deep rooted history and seasoned resilience.
The name represents the workstations that our forefathers toiled over when the fishery was alive and well in Newfoundland,” Teresa Ennis explained. “It also represents the way we’ve made our living, having built our career performing music on so many stages around the world, and we’ve gone through so many stages to get to this point in our nearly 20-year musical journey, personally and professionally.
The Phillips Community Center is on 21 Depot Street in Phillips. Tickets are $15. Reservations are available at 207-562-4445 or www.necelticarts.com. North Church, air conditioned for your comfort, is located at 12 High Street Farmington. Tickets $15. Call 207-778-2006 for reservations or www.necelticarts.com.
When I left home 20 yrs ago, and we drove across Canada, your music kept me company while I was leaving home. I love your your music and you guys made my journey possible to leave home. :Love you always, best singers I ever heard of in NL. I am now in AB 20 yrs, and still missing home. Love you Ennis Sisters