Headed to Maine? Visit The Skye Theatre

Last week we made our annual summer trip to Maine to visit my parents. It's always nice to be home, and vacations remind me of all that I've missed since I left the state almost nine years ago. This time we got another treat: a trip to the Skye Theatre in South Carthage, where Phill McIntyre and family, under the name New England Celtic Arts, place talented performers in front of small, appreciative audiences. The $10 admission is ridiculously reasonable, and the gate goes to the band. If that doesn't help keep live music alive and well in Western Maine, I don't know what will.

A good time was had by all. If you like live, acoustic music, I'm pretty sure you'd enjoy it, too.

I first heard about the Skye Theatre a few months ago from my father, after he saw a show advertised in the local newspaper. Being a curious sort, Dad went to check it out. Sure enough, above a warehouse that used to contain a Ford parts business, there was a room in which the performances were held. He and Ma attended a show and had a great time. That night, McIntyre put out a call for volunteers who might be interested in helping him build a stage. Dad is a carpenter, so he decided to pitch in and help with the project. I'm more than a little biased, but it looks beautiful.

Anyway, that's enough of my bragging. Mom and Dad kept going back, and have been rewarded with fine performances that they probably wouldn't have seen otherwise. Singer-songwriters Buddy MacDonald of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, and Emily Smith of Scotland earned high marks. I had never heard of either artist, but have since had a chance to hear their recordings and am duly impressed. I hope to hear both in person as soon as possible.

The folks took Sharon, Harper and I up to the Skye last week to see the Cape Cod, Mass., quartet Tripping Lily. I wasn't familiar with their work, either, but we all enjoyed the show. The band plays a sort of progressive acoustic music (guitar, fiddle, mandolin, bass) that resembles Nickel Creek's, particularly because of the vocal harmonies. Their music was a mélange of Celtic, bluegrass, folk and even a bit of jazz. Their sets also included a Police cover, a couple of Nat King Cole tunes and Django Reinhardt's "Minor Swing."

Last I heard, McIntyre had 30 acts booked to perform this year, and is on the lookout for more. The performers tend to play Celtic or bluegrass music, but he recently added North Carolina flatpicker Steve Kilby, who will play at the theatre on July 10.

If Tripping Lily's comments are any indication, once a band plays at the Skye there's a good chance of getting them to return. They spoke highly of the room (and the stage), and the apartment where the performers can stay before getting back on the road. An extra night's pay and a break from chatty crowds and clinking beer bottles must be huge selling points for the performers.

For music lovers, there are many selling points, too: an intimate room with an excellent sound system; guitar and fiddle jams that are held a half-hour before show time and open to anyone who brings an instrument; sitting within 50 feet of the performers; a chance to hear top-notch talent, and the Cape Breton oat bars that are available at intermission (not necessarily in that order). A break from chatty crowds and clinking bottles is pretty refreshing for fans, too.

If you are going to be in Maine this year, check out necelticarts.com for more information and directions to Skye Theatre. If you live in Maine and like live music, it's worth checking out sooner rather than later.