Artists Series Presents Celtic Woman, 2/9

Celtic Woman, the awe inspiring Irish vocalists and violinist, will soon be mesmerizing Jacksonville once again when the group comes to the Times Union Center's Moran Theater on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 7:30PM for one performance only.

With their marathon winter-spring concert tour crossing North America, Irish Music phenomenon, Celtic Woman, has extended their current itinerary into summer due to overwhelming popular demand. Touring in support of their latest chart-topping CD/DVD, Songs from the Heart, Celtic Woman continues to delight live audiences with what critics are calling an "uplifting" and "beyond captivating" concert experience. Fresh off their wildly successful 60-city tour that just ended in Salt Lake City on May 22, the group have added another 47-cities to their schedule including 12 Canadian cities along with an Australian tour in October.

Since forming in 2005, Celtic Woman consists of a vivacious, versatile assemblage comprised of charismatic and sublimely gifted Irish women. On this new leg of the tour there is a change to the line-up that sees Alex Sharpe (who joined in 2007) leaving the group due to family commitments. "It has been a great joy and pleasure to be a part of the Celtic Woman family these past 3 years but the time has come for me to be with my own family full time back at home. I would like to thank all the fans for the support they have given me from the beginning and throughout the years" comments Alex about her departure.

The extended Songs from the Heart tour will feature vocalists Chloë Agnew, Lynn Hilary, Lisa Kelly, and fiddler Máiréad Nesbitt-whose diverse musical abilities and vivid personalities combine to create an enchanting blend of timeless tradition and contemporary craft.

Songs From the Heart, (Manhattan Records) the group's fifth CD and DVD debuted at #9 on Billboard Top 200 and #1 Billboard World Music Chart. In addition, the companion live concert DVD hit #1 on the Billboard Top Music DVD Chart. Musical director David Downes beautifully captures the pure essence of Celtic Woman. The CD features studio recorded versions of songs performed during their PBS TV Special "Songs from the Heart- Live at Powerscourt House & Gardens." The TV special began airing Nov 28th on PBS stations around the country as part of the network's quarterly pledge drive and has immediately yielded outstanding viewership results.

In just five short years, this unique all-female ensemble continues to have mainstream success without the aid of traditional sales drivers such as radio or video airplay. No other group of this particular adult contemporary genre can claim 5 million albums sold, two top 10 album debuts on the Billboard Top 200, 3 gold and platinum albums, 4 Top 5 Releases on the Billboard Top Video chart and a million concert tickets sold. They have succeeded by connecting directly to fans via their Public Television specials, their frequent touring and then having those fans share the experience with friends and loved ones.

As a testament to the group's ability to cross musical and cultural boundaries, the group recently performed at the National Christmas Tree Lighting in Washington D.C and ABC's Dancing With The Stars singing for millions of viewers while their PBS TV specials have dominated the broadcast airwaves over the past five years.

A true celebration of Ireland with an unforgettable signature style, don't miss an "evening of spectacular entertainment" (Kalamazoo Gazette) when Celtic Woman comes to a town near you.

To order tickets by phone with Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover call The Artist Series Box Office at (904) 632-3373 (toll-free outside of Jacksonville 1-888-860-BWAY).

Tickets are also available online with Instant Seat Selection by visiting the The Artist Series' website at www.artistseriesjax.org

Tickets range in price from $51.00 to $106.00. Discounts are available for groups of 10+ or 40+ by calling (904) 632-3228 or emailing groupsales@fscj.edu

The Artist Series is recognized by the State of Florida as a Major Sponsor/Presenter Cultural Institution and is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, through the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

To post a comment, you must register and login.