New England Celtic Arts will present The Tartan Terrors at Lakeside Theater in Rangeley, Maine on Tuesday August 30th, at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center in South Carthage, Maine on Wednesday August 31st, and at Unity College Center for the Performing Arts in Unity, Me on Thursday September 1st. Curtain is at 7:00 pm at Lakeside and Skye; 7:30 pm in Unity. There is a pre-show jam session 45 minutes prior to curtain at Skye and Unity. Audience members are encouraged to bring their instruments and jam with the artists for a few minutes.
Taking the Celtic scene by storm, the Tartan Terrors, North America’s premiere Celtic Event, features the best in music, comedy and dance. Bolstered by the blistering piping of a Two Time World Champion Bagpiper, the driving tones of drums from around the world, and a guitar played unlike any you’ve ever heard, standing room only audiences understand why Dig This Magazine declares “(The Terrors) one act to keep an eye on!” Combine this musical prowess with championship calibre Highland Dancers and intentionally recognized comedic performers and this Celtic Group goes beyond the ordinary.
Member of the Tartan Terrors have performed on 4 different continents; in some of the most prestigious Festivals, Highland Games and Theatres of North America; for President Clinton; Queen Elizabeth II; and Good Morning America. They’re even streaming for on-demand listening in multiple international podcasts including a coveted spot on Pulse of the Planet in Spain! Join the phenomenon of the Tartan Terrors and see why Celtic Beat Magazine hails them as “the heirs apparent to Celtic mayhem.”
Ellen Wilkes Irmisch is co-director of the Tartan Terrors with her brother Ian. The team has taken her throughout North America to innumerable theatres, festivals and corporate events. Ellen has her Fellowship in Ballet and Stage (tap and modern jazz), highland and Member’s certification in Scottish National, Step Dance and Freestyle. She is also a member of the Canadian Dance Teachers Association (CDTA). For the past 26 years she taught and eventually became the artistic director of the Academy of Film and Performing Arts, a studio that her mom began in 1961.
Ian Wilkes Irmisch is co-artistic director with his sister of the Tartan Terrors. He has an extensive career in the professional arts. At the age of 5 he had already performed in the prestigious Great Hall of Hamilton Place, and he has never looked back since! Ian holds credentials with ACTRA Alliance of Canadian Television and Radio Arts (ACTRA), Canadian Actor’s Equity Association (CAEA), the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) and is a Fellow and Examiner for the Canadian Dance Teachers Association. He has appeared in a number of film and television productions including: Death to Smoochy-Robin Williams, Superstar-Molly Shannon, Road to Avonlea-Sarah Polley, The Santa Clause-Tim Allen. He has trained at Sundance Studios, Ryerson University (under the direction of Nadia Potts of the National Ballet), Sheridan College, and in New York.
Sahra Featherstone is a multi-instrumentalist, and has been playing music for over 15 years. She has two solo albums, and the most recent, Born of a Summer’s Day, has been nominated for a 2010 Canadian Folk Music Award. The album features her harp, violin and low whistle playing, and her arrangements of beautiful pieces written by her talented tune-smithing friends, as well as some original and traditional pieces.In 2003 she released her first solo album of original and traditional instrumentals, featuring herself on harp with guests including Don Ross, Brian Pickell and the late Oliver Schroer. In addition to her solo work, Sahra has joined many artists on stage and in the studio, playing concerts and music festivals across Canada and the USA, as well as various events. She has recorded on over 40 albums.
Other band members include Chris Kerba on guitar, Jon Mc Cann on purcussion, and multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Kevin Mc Keown.
Lakeside Theater is on Main Street in Rangeley. 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 $20.00 at the door. For reservations at the theater you wish to attend call: Lakeside Theater at 864-5000; Skye Theatre at (207) 562-4445 ; Unity Center for the Performing Arts at (207) 948-7469;
More information is available at: http://www.necelticarts.com
I have seen this group several times at the Celtic Festival held at the the Mt. Hope Fair here in PA. They are very talented, very entertaining, and always provide an enjoyable show with a lot of variety! They are a must see!
Deborah Gildart-Hanks, former Wilton native