New England Celtic Arts and The Saltwater Celtic Music Festival will present The Bb (B-Flat) Sister’s with Skip Holmes in a series of satellite events leading up to the Saltwater Celtic Festival at Thomas Point Beach on Sunday July 31st.
Performances will be held at Lakeside Theater in Rangeley, Maine on Tuesday, July 26; at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center in South Carthage on Wednesday, July 27; at Unity College Center for the Performing Arts in Unity on Thursday, July 28 and at Fisherman’s Wharf Inn in Boothbay Harbor on Saturday, July 30. Curtain is at 7 pm at Lakeside and Skye; 7:30 pm in Unity and 8:00 pm at FWI. 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.
Kimberley Holmes and Sherryl Fitzpatrick have emerged onto the Traditional Folk music scene as a new duo with fresh Canadian fiddle tunes. With driving Quebecois jigs and reels, traditional Cape Breton and Irish tunes, soulful slow airs enveloped in beautiful harmonies, this duo will certainly take you on a rich journey through the diverse repertoire of the Ottawa Valley, Maritimes, Quebec as well as exploring their original music. This unique duo will highlight their ability to switch from fiddle to piano as well as incorporating their beautiful blends of harmonies. Traveling with the ladies will be Kimberley’s husband Skip Holmes on guitar and banjo.
Skip has played for many years, beginning in 1978 with the Ladies Choice Bluegrass Band. He has collaborated in a number of musical projects including the Up Home Tonight Show, Those Fabulous Cliches and several recording projects. Skip recorded and toured Canada and Britain with fiddler Richard Wood, teaches at the Canadian Conservatory, and is in demand as an accompanist for Maritime fiddlers at concerts, dances, contests and recordings.
The Saltwater Celtic Music Festival will take place on Sunday, July 31 at beautiful ThomasPoint Beach in Brunswick, Maine. Kevin O’Hara, author of Last of the Donkey Pilgrims, will serve as emcee for the festival.
The lineup of musicians which Saltwater has assembled is noteworthy, including: Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul, Karan Casey and John Doyle, Buille, The Prodigals, The Dublin City Ramblers, The Screaming Orphans, The Bb Sister’s and many more.
Camping will be available on-site and many of the artists will have meet-and-greets following their performances. Celtic-themed food and beverage vendors will serve throughout the day, and Saltwater will also feature a beer garden for attendees who are over 21. On top of all this, Thomas Point Beach offers a beautiful playground for children and a sand beach.
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 $15 advance/$20 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; Fisherman’s Wharf Inn at 800-628-6872. Advance tickets may be purchased for Lakeside at the theater or on the website, www.rangeleymovies.com. Fisherman’s Wharf Inn is an 8 pm dinner concert. Tickets are $25. More information is available at: www.necelticarts.com
