Irish piper, vocalist at Skye

REGION -- New England Celtic Arts will present Irish uilleann piper Cillian Vallely and Ryan McGiver in concert at Skye Theatre in So. Carthage on Wednesday, and at UCCPA in Unity on Thursday.

Curtain at Skye is 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at UCCPA.

This new duo act features a unique collaboration between two of the best known names in traditional Irish and American folk music, Cillian Vallely on uilleann pipes and low whistle, and Ryan McGiver on guitar and vocals. Armagh native Cillian Vallely has established his name over the last decade through his playing with award-winning, trad Irish supergroup Lunasa, described by the New York Times as “the hottest acoustic band in the world.”

Influenced by the rhythmic, flowing style of Paddy Keenan and Johnny Doran, Vallely’s mastery of chanter, drones and regulators has earned a reputation as one of the top players in the tradition. He has performed worldwide on tours as diverse as Riverdance, Natalie Merchant, Mary Chapin-Carpenter, Tim O Brien, and the “Celtic Jazz Collective” with Miles Davis’ drummer Lewis Nash and bassist Peter Washington.

He has also recorded on over 40 albums including six with Lunasa, “Callan Bridge” with his brother Niall, “On Common Ground” with

Kevin Crawford, and various guest spots with Natalie Merchant, “Excalibur” with Fairport Convention and Moody Blues, “GAIA” with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, and Karan Casey.

From upstate New York, Ryan McGiver is a guitarist and sought-after accompanist on both sides of the Atlantic and is regarded as one of the best of his generation, playing Irish and American traditional music with equal facility. He has toured in America, Europe and Asia, and shared stages with performers like Susan McKeown, fiddlers Liz and Yvonne Kane and concertina player, Padraig Rynne.

Ryan has recently released his debut album, “Troubled in Mind” a Indie-folk record with imaginative musical interpretations of old Appalachian ballads. Co-produced by Shahzad Ismaily (Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Marc Ribot), the collaboration results in a spiritual, often meditative music, with a haunting quality that draws from sources as diverse as Buell Kazee, Washington Phillips and Randy Newman.

Skye Theater is located three miles West of East Dixfield village at 2 Highland Dr. off Winter Hill Road and Rt. 2 in South Carthage. UCCPA is at 42 Depot St. in Unity. Ticket price is $15 at the door. For reservations call Skye Theatre at 562-4445 or UCCPA at 948-7469, or, Mahoosuc at 824-3575. Reservations are strongly suggested at all venues.