Beloved, Heartfelt Holiday Show ‘Irish Christmas In America’ Confirms 2023 Tour
Back for its 18th season, the show features special guest musicians, dancers and singers from Ireland performing a spectacular Christmas program
Captivating – Irish Music Magazine
Lively and reflective…a powerful evocation of the season – Folk Wax
Irish Christmas in America admirably refuses to pander to the lowest common denominator. By doing so, they all convey the spirit of the season with uncommon taste and integrity. – Irish Echo
Full of exceptional music and dance, relaxed good humor, and interesting historical commentary, “Irish Christmas in America is one of the few standouts. It was as relaxed and enjoyable as any Irish Christmas-themed concerts I’ve ever attended. – Irish Echo
Celebrating its 18th year, the hugely popular holiday show “Irish Christmas in America” brings a fascinating performance of music, song, dance and stories of seasonal Irish traditions. Produced by Sligo fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada, the long running show features top Irish music, song and dance in an engaging performance rich in humor and boundless energy. The 2023 tour features special guest singer Caitríona Sherlock, a vocalist from Monaghan who is one of the finest new voices from Ireland. This year also will mark the first orchestral collaboration for the show, presenting a performance with the Abeline Philharmonic in Texas.
The family-friendly performance features lively instrumental tunes on fiddle by Mac Diarmada, flute and uilleann pipes by Sean Gavin and harp by Gráinne Hambly. They perform along with thrilling old-style Irish dancing from Samantha Harvey. In addition, evocative photographic images provide a backdrop to some of the rich historical traditions of Ireland. Take a memorable glimpse into the enchanting spirit of Christmas, as the finest traditional artists from Ireland, bring you on a fun-filled start to the holiday season of 2023. This year’s performances will be held dedicated to the memory of founding member Séamus Begley who sadly passed away this past year.
Show Origins
The holiday show was first conceived in 2005 with past tours featuring such stellar guest vocalists as Séamus & Méabh Begley, Teresa Horgan, Lumiere (Pauline Scanlon & Eilis Kennedy), Karan Casey, Cara Dillon, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Cathie Ryan and Michael Londra. Mac Diarmada enthuses about the program as a way to bring traditional and often unknown Irish customs to the States. “One of the most heartfelt themes of Irish Christmas is emigration,” says Mac Diarmada. “Music was a way that people stayed close to home.”
Irish Christmas in America Tour Dates:
11.24 | Cedar Rapids, IA – CSPS Hall
11.25 | Fairfield, IA – Sondheim Center for The Performing Arts
11.26 | Chicago, IL – Old Town School of Folk Music
11.27 | Winterville, GA – Marigold Auditorium
11.28 | Collegedale, TN – Southern Adventist College (ILES PE Center)
11.29 | Santa Cruz, CA – Kuumbwa Jazz Center
11.30 | Mill Valley, CA – Throckmorton Theatre
12.01 | Torrance, CA – Torrance Cultural Arts Center
12.02 | Abilene, TX – Abilene Convention Center
12.03 | Livermore, CA – Bankhead Theater
12.04 | Burbank, CA – Garry Marshall Theatre
12.05 | Escondido, CA – California Center for the Arts
12.06 | Sacramento, CA – The Sofia
12.07, 12.08 | Des Moines, IA – Temple Theatre
12.09 | Tucson, AZ – Berger Performing Arts
12.10 | Yuma, AZ – Yuma Arts Center
12.11, 12.12 | Phoenix, AZ – Musical Instrument Museum
12.13 | Lancaster, PA – The Ware Center, Millersville University
12.14 | Manchester, NH – Dana Center at St. Anselm College
12.15 | Colorado Springs, CO – Stargazers Theatre & Event Center
12.16 | Denver, CO – The Soiled Dove Underground
12.17 | Northglenn, CO – Parsons Theatre
12.18, 12.19 | Old Saybrook, CT – Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center
12.20 | Jaffrey, NH – The Park Theatre
12.21 | Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theatre
12.22 | Frederick, MD – New Spire Arts Stages