CAMDEN — Fans of traditional Irish music are invited to kick off the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day on Friday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m., at the Camden Opera House, 29 Elm Street.

Button accordion player Dan Possumato of Brunswick will return for An Evening of Irish Music, joined by Jim Hyland on guitar, fiddle and vocals; and special guest Jody Johnstone on tin whistle.  

Dan Possumato was born in Pittsburgh and has lived around the country and overseas, always finding an Irish music community to share his love of traditional tunes. He plays the button accordion in the old “push and draw” manner once popular in the counties of Cork and Kerry. 

Possumato’s latest album is An Teachín Gorm (The Blue Cottage), which curates 20 tracks from his previous albums plus an original composition dedicated to the memory of Ger McDonnell of County Limerick, a friend and bandmate who died on K2, the second highest mountain in the world. Possumato also has collaborated with renowned fiddlers Kevin Burke and Seamus McGuire to produce four albums, tracks from which find frequent airplay on Irish radio. 

"Jim Hyland is a stalwart of the Irish music scene in Belfast, Maine, and is regarded as one of the best guitar accompanists in New England, according to Camden Opera House, in a news release. "He also is an excellent fiddler and captivating singer."

The general admission show is sponsored by 40 Paper.

Tickets are $15 in advance via camdenoperahouse.com, $20 day-of-show (cash at the door, please). Doors open at 7 p.m.