Emma Kate Tobia
Friday March 19 at 7:30 pm
Born in Scotland of Irish /Italian parents now living in Kinsale, Co.Cork,Ireland Emma Kate has studied music in the Cork School of Music and with Dr Veronica Dunne in the Leinster School of Music in Dublin. She has also participated in numerous master classes in London and Vienna,and has won many competitions such as the Lieder Cup, the Duhallow award,and the Margaret Dillon award. Operatic roles include Frasquita ( Carmen), Valencienne (The Merry Widow) , The Mother (Amahl and the Night Visitors) , Kate Pinkerton ( Madame Butterfly) Light Opera roles such as Julie ( Showboat) and Sr. Margaretta ( Sound of Music). Emma Kate has performed at various Arts Festivals around Ireland including Westport, Kinsale and Cork and Summer Concerts in Kinsale of Irish traditional and Classical Music led to the album Aisling na nGael,(An Irish Dream ).
Tickets $10
Troy MacGillivray and Kimberly Fraser
Thursday March 25 at 7:30 pm
Kimberley Fraser was born on Cape Breton Island and nurtured within its rich musical heritage. She first began to impress audiences at the age of three with her step-dancing talents. Soon after that she took up both the fiddle and the piano. Like many in Cape Breton, music is not new to Kimberley’s family. She proudly owns the fiddle of her great great grandfather, spanning the musical tradition within her family over a hundred years. Though still in her early 20s, Kimberley’s career is already a distinguished one. Kimberley has shared the stage with such notables as Alasdair Fraser, Lunasa and Martin Hayes. Kimberley is also in demand for her piano skills, accompanying various Cape Breton fiddlers at home and abroad. She had the honour of being the pianist for the acclaimed Irish musical group, Cherish the Ladies, during their tour of Sweden in May of 2004. Her impact upon the music of Cape Breton has not gone unrecognized. In 2000, Kimberley received the Tic Butler award for significant contribution to Cape Breton culture.Troy MacGillivray’s musical prowess can be attributed to an especially rare combination of commitment and bloodline. By the age of six, Troy was already impressing audiences with his step dancing skills. By 13 he was teaching piano at the renowned Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts in St. Anne’s, Cape Breton. Troy has a roots-centered approach to his fiddling and piano playing that has the power to inspire any audience. Troy’s 4th CD, Live At The Music Room, is the 2008 ECMA Instrumental Recording of the Year
Tickets $10
Jen Kearney and the Lost Onion
Friday March 26 at 8 pm
A smoke ring from a Cuban cigar wafts through a city kitchen as a soul singer croons on crackly vinyl; freshly diced onions sizzle as they hit the olive oil in Sunday’s morning’s pan…With a pungent mix of soul, Latin, Funk, reggae, and good ol’rock ‘n roll, Jen Kearney and the Lost Onion will take you into the kitchen to find that sweetness in the soul food you crave.
“…Whatever you want to call it, Kearney and the Lost Onion provide a dense musical potpourri that is ever surprising…The Stevie Wonder comparisons that follow Kearney around are evident on tunes like “Pick Yourself Up,” while a more jazz/funk tune like “Amity” suggests Aretha Franklin joining Blood, Sweat, and Tears for a gig in Brazil.” (Jay Miller, Patriot-Ledger, 2/07)
Perhaps Kearney owes it all to her Uncle Sal, who taught her to play piano by ear at the ripe old age of four (if you ask Uncle Sal, he’ll swear it was even earlier). Coming from a musical family, Jen was immersed from the start. However, her attempt at the classic “lady down the street” piano lessons ended after three weeks of young Jen’s efforts to try to develop the lady’s appreciation for Fats Domino’s catalog that Jen had learned by ear… Her latest album, “The Year of the Ox” represents a different approach for Kearney, an actual concept album. Taking a darker direction lyrically and musically, the concept is loosely based on The Ten Ox herding Pictures of ancient Buddhism. Bring your dancing shoes for this one.
Tickets $18
Unity Centre For the Performing Arts
42 Depot Street, Unity Maine 04988
www.unityme.org/theater
