The magic of Christmas in Ireland comes to California with "Irish Christmas in America." Now in its 15th season, the holiday show features Irish music, dance, and stories of Christmas and solstice traditions called "captivating for all ages" by Irish Music Magazine. The performance comes to Grass Valley's Nevada County Fairgrounds on Friday, Dec. 20, at 1:00PM, and to The Sofia Tsakopoulos Center for The Arts in Sacramento on Sat. Dec. 21st, 8:30PM, to close out its 28-date, 15 state tour.
"Irish Christmas in America" has been hailed for its genuine spirit. "It conveys the spirit of the season with uncommon taste and integrity," says The Irish Echo, adding "exceptional music and dance...a stand out performance."
The cast features some of Ireland's leading traditional musicians. Returning guest vocalist Niamh Farrell is an acclaimed young singer from Sligo who first gained attention touring with UK star David Gray. Called "one to watch" by WGBH, she contributes songs from such unexpected sources as Joni Mitchell, Norah Jones, and Eva Cassidy. Ms. Farrell teams up with Ireland's Traditional Singer of the Year Séamus Begley, a legendary musician from West County Kerry, on Irish songs and carols.
Oisín Mac Diarmada, the show's producer, is an All-Ireland fiddle champion from County Sligo. On Irish harp is Gràinne Hambly, an internationally-recognized master, and Detroit-born Seán Gavin is an award-winning musician on the flute, whistle and uilleann pipes. Champion dancer Samantha Harvey, a native of Ventura, California, is highly skilled in both Irish step and sean-nós or "old-style" dance, and has performed around the world with shows including Atlantic Steps, Cosa, "Ireland" The Show, and Tomáseen Foley's Irish Times.
Mr. Mac Diarmada notes that the show touches a special chord here in the States. “One of the most heartfelt themes of Irish Christmas is emigration,” he says. “Music was a way that people stayed close to home.”
A new CD, Last Night In Chicago, accompanies this fifteenth anniversary tour, available for sale in concert, or online at https://irishchristmasinamerica1.bandcamp.com/releases/ Since the first tour in 2005, "Irish Christmas in America" has featured some of Ireland's top traditional vocalists including Karan Casey (Solas), Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh (Danú), and Cathie Ryan (Cherish the Ladies), alongside guest musicians such as Donogh Hennessey of the group Lúnasa.
With it's timeless stories, agile performances, and buoyant spirit of fun, "Irish Christmas in America" has become an annual tradition for fans across the country.
The Friday, Dec. 20th performance is at The Amaral Center, Nevada County Fairgrounds, 11228 McCourtney Rd, Grass Valley. Doors open at noon for the 1:00PM performance. General Admission: $35 Members, $45 Regular, $15 Youth (12 and under). Tickets and information are available through The Center for the Arts at 530.274.8384 or thecenterforthearts.org.
The Saturday, Dec. 21st performance is at The B Street Theatre, located in The Sofia Tsakopoulos Center for The Arts at 2700 Capitol Ave, Sacramento. Doors open at 7:30pm, and performance is at 8:00pm. Tickets are $40. Tickets and information are available at (916) 443-5300 or online at bstreettheatre.org
For further information visit irishchristmasinamerica.com.
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