PHILLIPS — New England Celtic Arts will present the Celtic-pop band Ashelin of Newfoundland on Tuesday, Aug. 7, at Phillips Area Community Hall.

The five sisters — Cassy, Joesie, Kaliyan, Shaelin and Thea Plamer — will also perform Wednesday, Aug. 8, at Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center in Carthage; and Thursday, Aug. 9, at the Unity College Centre for the Performing Arts in Unity.

The sisters sang and danced to Newfoundland and Irish music as far back as they can remember while learning to play a variety of instruments. Known for their vocals and intricate harmonies, the siblings’ brand of folk roots and pop takes form in their original songwriting and novel interpretations of traditional tunes.

Since their first public performance in 1997, they have performed for Contact East, at the Juno (Canadian equivalent to the Grammys)  and East Coast Music Association awards shows, and folk festivals across the Maritimes.

Ashelin’s “Song for Mariana” was chosen for David Suzuki’s “Playlist for the Planet” CD along with songs by Gordon Lightfoot, Bruce Cockburn, Randy Bachman (with Sarah McLachlan and Nikki Yanofsky), Johnny Reid and other stand-out Canadian songwriters and performers. 

More recently, the band toured Ireland and performed April 11-30 at Dollywood Theme Park in Pigeon Forge,Tenn.

Concerts will begin at 7 p.m. at Phillips and Skye; 7:30 p.m. at UCCPA. Jam sessions are slated one hour prior to curtain at each venue. Tickets are $15 at the door. The Phillips Community Center is at 21 Depot St., Phillips. Skye is at 2 Highland Drive off Winter Hill Road and U.S. Route 2 in Carthage. UCCPA is at 42 Depot St., Unity. Call Skye at 562-4445, UCCPA at 948-7469 or Phillips at 639-3717.

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