LIVE: A Christmas Celtic Sojourn

About the show

Music
Music director Seamus Egan is returning, and his groundbreaking group Solas will be back on stage as well. In 2010, harpist Catriona McKay and fiddler Chris Stout created quite a stir during these shows. They have agreed to return for this anniversary edition. The virtuosity of Winifred Horan on fiddle and Natalie Haas on cello promises to create a lush string sound. Add in the bass of long-time participant Chico Huff with percussionist Ben Wittman rounding off the band and some spectacular instrumentals and song arrangements are expected.

Singing
When the Chieftains visited WGBH in March of this year, the singing of Alyth McCormack from Scotland riveted the audience and she has agreed to join the cast of A Christmas Celtic Sojourn in December! We are so excited. Navan, one of the very first groups to perform in the show back in 2003 will return with their unique four part harmonies. With Lindsay O’Donovan again returning (10th year), the great vocals of Mick McAuley and Eamon McElholm and, of course, host Brian O’Donovan joining in as he's known to do, the songs will be just terrific.

Dancing
Also from the regular touring lineup of the Chieftains, brothers Jon and Nathan Pilatzke, and Cara Butler will bring their unique approach to Irish dance, blending in much of the drama of the Ottawa Valley in Canada where the boys were raised. And what would A Christmas Celtic Sojourn be without the young dancers from the Harney Academy of Irish Dance in Walpole? They have truly become part of the tradition.


Artistically directed again by Paula Plum for the 10th straight year, these concerts promise to be one of the most exciting editions of A Christmas Celtic Sojourn yet.