Celtic concert Dec. 6 to benefit Farmington fuel assistance program

Members of Cape Breton’s Celtic band Coig, from left, are Darren McMullen, Rachel Davis and Chrissy Crowley, with guest musician Thierry Clouette. Submitted photo

FARMINGTON — Celtic band Coig plans to perform at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, at Old South First Congregational Church, UCC, 235 Main St., as part of the church’s concert series.

This East Coast Canada-based band aims to bring holiday cheer, energy and award-winning musicianship and vocals to the stage with the purpose of helping raise money for the Farmington Area Ecumenical Ministry’s Heating Fund, which provides fuel assistance program to neighbors in Franklin County this winter, according to a news release from Debbie Davis-Robinson, church member.

Supporting eastern Canada and northern New England communities through fuel assistance or food pantry drives is important to the band mates of Coig. The band has included Old South Church in its annual Christmas tour for many years. Members have been awarded the Franklin Area Ecumenical Ministries’ Salt and Light Award for their continued efforts in supporting the FAEM’s Heat Share fuel assistance fundraising.

Guest musicians Thierry Clouette (guitar and foot percussion) and Margie Beaton (of the Beaton Sisters, on fiddle) will join Rachel Davis (fiddle/vocals), and Darren McMullen (multi-instrumentalist/vocals) for the 2022 Christmas tour.

Opening for Coig, from 6:30 to 7 p.m., will be Owen Kennedy, who is the 2022 New England Regional Open Scottish Fiddle Champion and the 2021 Junior U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion, and won the Young Stars of Maine’s Glenn Jenks Future in Music prize from Bay Chamber Music School, and was selected for Best of All Things Irish from the Maine Irish Heritage Center.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m. The concert kicks off at 7 p.m. Admission costs $25 for adults and $20 for seniors and students.

A link will be available for online purchasing with a small processing fee through farmingtonucc.org or Old South Church Concert Series on Facebook.

There will be general seating. The church’s Main Street entrance is handicapped accessible.

Sponsors for this concert are Saddleback Ridge Wind, Foothills Management and Signworks.

Because of the popularity of Coig, online purchase or telephone reservations by calling 207-491-5919 are recommended. Tax deductible donations will be accepted for the Fuel Assistance Fund during the concert. Face masks are optional, with policy subject to review pending rise in local COVID cases.

For more information, call 207-491-5919.