Barra MacNeils, Jimmy Rankin among featured artists for deCoste

The fall lineup at the deCoste Performing Arts Centre in Pictou will put the spotlight squarely on East Coast talent.

The first to take the stage will be the Barra MacNeils whose music has garnered them respect as one of the best Celtic concert bands and they are still in demand after three decades of touring the world.

With their latest CD release of On the Bright Side, the Sydney Mines natives bring an array of rhythmic instruments and distinctive harmonies that showcase an upbeat album. They are on stage at the deCoste on Saturday, Sept. 29, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $44.

After the success of the intimate Songwriter’s Circle hosted by Bruce Guthro this past July, the deCoste will welcome him back with more of his talented East Coast friends, including Heather Rankin, Terry Kelly and Kim Dunn. This performance will be Friday, Oct. 26, at 7:30 p.m. and is expected to be just as captivating for audiences with the acoustic performances of the singer/songwriters as they share the stories behind the music.

Many of the Bruce Guthro’s songwriters’ circles have been sellout performances and patrons are encouraged to get tickets early. Tickets are $48 and $45 for members.

The final performer the deCoste shines the spotlight on is Jimmy Rankin. His initial rise to fame as one of the lead singers of the Rankin Family has continued to grow as he’s become an established solo artist in his own right. Having spent the past couple of years in Nashville, the artist is pleased to have moved back home to Nova Scotia and is celebrating with a tour to launch his Moving East album, produced by Joel Plaskett. It features true stories, tall tales, bittersweet ballads and the classic folk-rock sound that Rankin has helped pioneer. He performs Monday, Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $45.

For more information about these and other shows this season, or to purchase tickets, contact the deCoste Centre box office at 902-485-8848, visit the website at decostecentre.ca or drop by at 99 Water St., Pictou.