The high octane Canadian Celtic group, Enter the Haggis, brings its tremendously entertaining show to the Opera House in Boothbay Harbor on Saturday, January 5. The band packed nearly 400 into the old Opera House when they last appeared during the summer of 2006 and tickets for this electrifying 2008 season opener have been selling fast.

Enter the Haggis's live show is a musical feast - viscerally dynamic, emotionally uplifting and intellectually stimulating. The band darts effortlessly from the traditional strains of The Chieftains and The Pogues to the frenetic pop of early Elvis Costello and even to the Latin-tinged spirit of the Buena Vista Social Club and beyond. Complete with Trevor Lewington's deft guitar playing, the reeling of Brian Buchanan's flawless fiddle, the diverse rhythmic machinations of bassist Mark Abraham and drummer James Campbell, and Craig Downie's transporting pipes, not to mention the near-perfect vocal harmonies.

Their last appearance at the Opera House saw a multi-generational audience pulled from throughout the state of Maine and beyond on a hot summer night. This concert, launching the 2008 calendar, promises to heat up the historic building.

The show begins at 8 p.m.; there is no opening act. The doors for seating open at 7:30, with the upstairs bar opening at 6:30 for early arrivals.

Tickets for the performance are general admission and can be purchased through the box office at 86 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor, Monday-Friday between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. or by calling 633-5159.

Tickets are also available online at boothbayoperahouse.org. Tickets are $20 in advance and $24 on the day of the show. All ages admitted.

Other upcoming events at the Opera House include Irish fiddle champ Liz Carroll and John Doyle on January 19, a Mardi Gras Cajun Night with JimmyJo & the Jumbol'Ayuhs on January 25, the Novel Jazz Septet on February 2, the Old Time Opry on February 2, and J. Geils and Gerry Beaudoin on February 16. Additional events listed on the Opera House Web site.