(Cazenovia, NY – Dec. 2014) The Earlville Opera House travels to Cazenovia to present an all-star ensemble of Irish musicians and dancers at the Catherine Cummings Theater on Friday, Dec. 12 at 8 p.m.
A tradition among holiday events, Irish Christmas in America is a family-friendly performance featuring Irish and Scottish ballads, instrumental tunes and Irish dancing. This performance is supported by The Brae Loch Inn.
Produced by Oisín Mac Diarmada of award-winning lrish group Téada, the Irish Christmas in America show, now in its 10th season, features top Irish musicians, singers and dancers in a performance rich in history, humor and boundless energy.
Oisin brings his fiddler’s prowess to the show. The Irish Echo has called him “one of the most gifted and creative traditional fiddlers playing today.”
Séamus Begley from West Kerry once again rejoins the tour with his wit and vocal prowess. He is known for his sean-nós (“old style”) singing, hailing as he does from the Irish-speaking region of West County Kerry. On the accordion, Séamus plays with energy and spontaneity, belting out jigs, slides and polkas with rapid sprays of ornamentation.
In 2013, Séamus was honored with the prestigious TG4 Traditional Singer of the Year Award.
The show features two dancers this year; Samantha Harvey is an award-winning step dancer, pianist and accordionist. She brings energy to the stage with her rhythm, impeccable timing and driving percussive steps. Brian Cunningham is one of the most exciting sean-nós or ‘old-style’ dancers to have emerged from Ireland in quite some time. At 26 years of age, he has won all the major dance competitions in Ireland. He currently tours extensively with hit new dance show Atlantic Steps.
The ensemble is completed with Méabh Begley, daughter of West Kerry legend Séamus Begley, who commands an audience with her voice tackling themes of love, emigration and loss in both English and Irish language.
Matt Griffin on guitar is also a multi instrumentalist based in Dingle, in the West Kerry Gaeltacht of South West Ireland.
Advance tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for youth, with $2 added on the day of the show.
For advance tickets or more information online www.earlvilleoperahouse.com or call the EOH at (315) 691-3550.
Catherine Cummings Theater is located at Lincklaen Street in Cazenovia, one building from the intersection with Route 20.