Celtic Women Portland Oregon

DestinyPreview

Can’t hold out until St. Patrick’s Day next year to immerse yourself again in all things Irish? You’re in luck, because the all-female musical ensemble Celtic Woman will perform in Eugene and Portland in May.

Founded in 2005 by a former musical director of that other Irish juggernaut, Riverdance, Celtic Woman has released 10 albums of original music, traditional folk songs and contemporary covers. The group has sold over eight million albums and been named Billboard Magazine’s number one World Albums Artist six times.

Celtic Woman concerts showcase the music, dance and culture of the Emerald Isle, along with a parade of evening gowns worn by the four current members of the group: singers Máiréad Carlin, Susan McFadden and Éabha McMahon, and violinist Máiréad Nesbitt.

The current Destiny tour is making more than 70 stops in North America in celebration of the group’s latest album — also titled “Destiny” — and its companion DVD. An entirely new production, the show features many songs from the new album, plus traditional Irish songs sung in Gaelic such as “Bean Pháidín” and “Siúil A Run.” Newer songs including “Walk Beside Me,” “The Whole Of The Moon” and Ed Sheeran’s “I See Fire” are also performed, along with new renditions of audience favorites “Amazing Grace,” “You Raise Me Up” and more.


 Celtic Woman’s voices and harmonies are undeniably beautiful and the supporting musical arrangements add depth to the polished folk-pop performances. On stage, the elaborate production includes a large supporting cast of musicians, singers and dancers, with theatrical lighting and effects.

Celtic Woman performs at 7:30 p.m. May 20 at Eugene’s Hult Center for the Performing Arts (1 Eugene Center). Tickets cost $51-$123.25 (plus fees). Contact: www.hultcenter.org or 541-682-5000.

Portland hosts Celtic Woman at 3 p.m. May 22 at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (1037 SW Broadway). Tickets cost $45-$105 (plus fees). Contact: www.portland5.com or 800-273-1530

By Kim Himstreet
The Bulletin
Apr 29, 2016 at 12:02AM

Celtic Woman, from left, Lynn Hilary, Susan McFadden, Alex Sharpe and Máiréad Nesbitt. | Lili Forberg Special to The Bee

Celtic Woman’s 10th anniversary tour is also its reunion.

The group, which stops Friday at William Saroyan Theatre, celebrates a decade of its Irish-themed stage show with performances in 80 cities across the United States.

It is bringing back several of its past members, like soprano Lynn Hilary.

“I’m sort of a blow-in,” says Hilary, who will perform in Fresno with singers Susan McFadden and Alex Sharpe and violinist (and founding member) Máiréad Nesbitt.

Hilary, a member of Celtic Women from 2007-10, returned for a limited run of shows in 2014. She is back for seven weeks of the anniversary tour.

“It’s like I never really left,” she says.

At this point, the popularity of Celtic Woman is undeniable. The group’s television debut, which aired on PBS in 2005 as a one-time-only event, proved so popular it quickly spawned a U.S. concert tour. The subsequent PBS specials (there have been eight) have ranked among the network’s most-watched. Each of its nine albums (including 2013’s “Emerald Musical Gems”) debuted at the top of Billboard’s World Album chart. The group occupied the top slot for a record-breaking 112 consecutive weeks.

Celtic Woman has been named Billboard’s World Albums Artist of the Year six times.

Hilary joined Celtic Woman after a run as the lead vocalist for Celtic-themed stage show “Riverdance.” She didn’t realize how popular the group was with American audiences until she did a YouTube search and saw the millions of views on each of the Celtic Woman videos.

“Americans have a deep appreciation for Irish heritage,” Hilary says.

Her first performances were nerve-racking. She had been a shy performer and her role in “Riverdance” allowed her to stand still and let her voice do the heavy lifting. In Celtic Woman, she was a focal point in the show. There was staging to consider and choreography to learn.

That has only increased in the years since she left the group, Hilary says.

“It’s great to see how it has evolved.”

Lynn Hilary, Celtic Woman 2007-2010

The current tour includes a choir, full band and two Irish dancers — something that was missing when Hilary was originally in the group. It takes three buses and two semi-trucks to get the show from city to city.

Still, Celtic Woman does what its always done; blends traditional Irish tunes and classical music with some “pop” thrown in. While the anniversary shows feature some new songs and arrangements, fans will still hear “Danny Boy” and “You Lift Me Up,” Hilary says.

There are some quieter, a cappella moments, when the women’s voices carry the show, Hilary says. They are juxtaposed with the huge, epic arrangements for which Celtic Woman is known.

“They still give me chills.”

By Joshua Tehee
The Fresno Bee
May 21,2015

Susan McFadden was no stranger to the stage when she joined Celtic Woman three years ago. She had extensive experience in theater, with a résumé that included lead roles in Grease and Legally Blonde in London.

But being in Celtic Woman forced her to do something she had rarely done in front of an audience – be herself....


JASON CLARK/SPECIAL

Celtic Woman is celebrating its 10th anniversary and will stop at Bell Auditorium on May 2, with vocalists Susan McFadden (clockwise from left), Lynn Hilary and Máiréad Carlin and violinist Máiréad Nesbitt.

 http://youtu.be/npVVmvx7tLI

By Alan Sculley   
Correspondent
The Augusta Chronicle
Tuesday, April 28, 2015   

If the people of Brigadoon traded in their Brogue for a wee bit of Gaelic and an electric fiddle, chances are you'd discover the members of Celtic Woman in its magical mist. The all-female Irish music ensemble has extended the timeless appeal of the Emerald Isle's celebrated music to arena-sized audiences with rock star-like bravado now for ten years. Currently finishing up the U.S. leg of their anniversary tour through June, the ladies of Celtic Woman are looking forward to spreading these traditions further and without concern, banking on the eternal trend that what is old is always new, again.

Excitedly, with my obsession for all imports from the British Isles, I went to a private meeting with the ladies of Celtic Woman on the set of London-based Punchdrunk's creepy immersive theater smash, Sleep No More. They were in New York promoting concert stops on the East Coast, and at Sleep No More's "set", the McKittrick Hotel for a photo shoot in the upstairs lodge. With their warm and welcoming personalities, however, the creepy-factor of Sleep No More dissolved, instead it was like visiting rock star friends at their ironically cozy country cabin. I giggled a bit -- each one is so unique, the current cast featuring four members [Máiréad Nesbitt, Meav Ni Mhaolchatha, Máiréad Carlin and Susan McFadden]. They celebrate the traditional music of Ireland, but beyond their superior musicality, their magic is also as a magnetic girl group. It's as if the "Spice Girls" have transformed into "Spice Woman."


Musicians Mairead Nesbitt, Meav Ni Mhaolchatha, writer Steve Schonberg, Mairead Carlin and Susan McFadden of Celtic Woman Pose for a Private Photo Shoot at The McKittrick Hotel, Joined by Tour Publicist, Renee Pfefer (far left)

"We're celebrating ten years of Celtic Woman," Máiréad Nesbitt said, who was an original member of the group and recently returned, with her background as a fiddle champion. "We're very, very excited... It's been quite the journey from that first night at the Helix Theatre in Dublin, and here we are ten years later, and the show has changed so much," she added. "I think it's a very dynamic show and a great experience."

Dynamic indeed. Successfully riding the coattails of mega-stage shows like "Riverdance" and "Lord of the Dance," as well as successful crossover stars like Enya, Celtic Woman amplifies the already dramatic, beautiful melodies of traditional Irish tunes and blasts it at captivated audiences in giant arenas at a million miles an hour. These show are similar more in energy to shows by contemporary pop stars than anything "traditional," in well, the traditional sense.

http://youtu.be/C9iMPQRX93o
Celtic Woman on NBC's TODAY Show in 2014, Promoting their "Emerald Musical Gems" Album

"What day is it?" Máiréad Nesbitt added jokingly, referring to their extensive touring around the world. "We know where we are when we wake up, or where we get to," Susan added, mentioning that the U.S. leg of the tour has extended for four months, or "nine, ten?" with a wink.

Grueling tour demands aside, it's clear that Celtic Woman's energy is rooted in more than talent and an existing body of time-tested (albeit rock-modified) music, but the fact that these ladies also appear to be having fun. Working so closely together, they undoubtedly form a sisterhood with energies that playfully riff off of one another.

Most group dynamics dictate there be one labeled as "the quiet one." Chit chatting away, I zeroed in on the beautiful brunette, Mairead Carlin, sitting on the end who I realized hadn't said a word in an otherwise healthy banter. "So, are you the shy one?" I asked abruptly cuing laughter from the group and a sly look from Máiréad herself-- a solo performer, as well, who has been recognized for her talent by Carly Simon and Hillary Clinton, and toured in the U.S. with Don McLean.

"She's like Martha Stewart," Susan interjected. "She arranges the flowers on the bus, and lights the candles and makes it really homey. She really takes care of us" "Well, that's an easy job, I have to say," Máiréad, a responded.

This banter seems like insignificant small talk, but it's actually another clue into the larger picture of the entity known as Celtic Woman. Unlike traditional groups or bands, it has rotated members over the last decade. Each new member comes in with an existing, and highly successful professional background, all adding to the dynamics between these women and the resulting and constantly-evolving performance on stage. Therefore each person's talent and personality make a major impact on the current quality and cohesiveness of Celtic Woman.

http://youtu.be/hLzlCTWYUF8
Promotional Video for Celtic Woman's 10th Anniversary Tour Featuring Current and Past Members

"Myself and Máiréad [Nesbitt] were in the first show," Méav explained, who is herself a solo singer and Billboard World Music Top 10 recording artist. "Initially because it was just put together very quickly, it was quite formal... but since them it's really evolved," she continued. "I've been out of the show for awhile [so] coming back in at this point, it's very exciting to see how much more fluid the show is... with dancers and percussionists. It's more pacey than it [was] in the beginning, so that's more fun."

Susan on the other hand has been with the show for the last three years, having previously won the ITV reality competition "Grease is the Word," a starring role as Sandy in the West End production of Grease, and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (the musical). She said how this evolution is personal, as well benefits the group overall, for her as an actress as she transitioned from playing a character to being herself on stage. "I came from a musical theater background, where I was always playing a character," she shared. "So for me, it was a daunting sort of prospect coming into a show where for the first time ever I took [to] the stage as myself," Susan added. "I think I've probably grown within myself in that sense... I've learned a lot about the technique of performing and that way of performing, and that's been good for me."

Looking to the future and continuing their incredible success, Máiréad Nesbitt added that "obviously what the fans know and love from us is the actual vocal Celtic Woman blend, which no matter who comes in, we work very, very hard to maintain." Plus, similar in a lot of ways to a jazz vocalist conquering the Great American Songbook, even after ten years of celebrating the classics, there's always more ground to discover. "There's still so many traditional Celtic, traditional Irish songs that we haven't even touched upon yet," Susan added. "So we're looking forward to getting some brand new material out there... and like Máiréad said, pitting the Celtic Woman sound on them."

But, "like any tradition, it has to evolve," Méav interjected, sharing a slightly different perspective, yet apparently rooted in the same goal. "The music does not stay stagnant... we've done it [similar to other Irish musicians], tried different things and different combinations, but there are still certain instruments that are associated with our sound." she added.

Whatever the combination is, the "special sauce", it works and Celtic Woman continues to be a smash success. They shared that in Brazil, the crowd recently rushed down to the stage (much to their surprise and excitement, even after ten years), and in the U.S. they experience a truly American sound. "In the U.S., you have people 'whooping,'" Máiréad Nesbitt shared with another laugh. "the first couple of notes go and you can hear people ready to party and you're like, 'calm down! We have a long way to go yet!'"

"Another two hours to go!" Méav chimed in.

"Calm yourself!" Susan added playfully.

"Yeah, they're brilliant here," Máiréad Nesbitt continued. 'We have the most amazing followers, [they are] really supportive in the U.S. and all around the world. We're very, very grateful."



Steve Schonberg
Huffington Post
04/27/2015 11:59 am EDT

Celtic Women, photo courtesy of Rene Pfefer with On Tour PR.

 WALLINGFORD — Whether you’re Irish or not, the Celtic Woman has a performance planned for the Toyota Oakdale Theatre on Saturday that everyone can appreciate and is sure to have people tapping their feet along to the music.

The Celtic Woman kicked off its 10th anniversary tour in Dublin, Ireland before landing in the United States for a performance in Syracuse, New York on March 6. The group will tour more than 80 cities in the United States and also perform in Europe, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

A decade of music and dance from the Emerald Isles will be celebrated through the anniversary tour.

“It’s a really lively show,” said Méav Ní Mhaolchatha, a member and vocalist with Celtic Woman who goes by “Méav” on the tour.

The show has some traditional Irish music and dance mixed with some newer songs and other tracks featured over the last 10 years, she said.

Three vocalist and a Celtic violinist makeup the Celtic Woman.

“It’s not just the four girls on stage, you have a fantastic live band and some of the best musicians in Ireland,” said Susan McFadden, a vocalist with the Celtic Woman.

The Celtic Woman are accompanied by a 15-member ensemble of Irish dancers, the Aontas choir, and a full band.

The band uses traditional Celtic instruments in the performance that include bagpipes, Uilleann pipes, and a bodhran.

Audience members can expect “more movement” and fun surprises during the show as well, Méav added.

Classic Irish songs to look forward to on Saturday include “Danny Boy” and “Mo Ghile Mhear.”

The original Celtic Woman show was planned as a one-night, was very formal and presented as a concert, Méav said.

Ten years later, the women are still performing and their show has been broadcasted on PBS, which started in 2005.

Since that time, the Celtic Woman has sold more than 8 million copies of its 9 CDs and 8 DVDs. “Emerald Musical Gems” released in 2013 debuted in 2013 and held the Billboard World Album Chart’s top slot for 112 consecutive weeks.

“Now, it’s really evolved and it’s become more free,” Méav said of the show.

One of the solos that McFadden performs on the tour is a song called “Caledonia.” This year she is performing a different version of it where she sits at a piano and performs.

“It’s a very intimate moment and it’s a really special moment,” she said.

The Celtic Women are looking forward to performing in Wallingford and showcasing the Irish heritage.

“I was raised with the Irish language…you feel you’re sharing your heritage with the audience; I’m proud to do that,” said Méav.

By Farrah Duffany
March 16, 2015
myrecordjournal.com

The ladies of Celtic Woman celebrated their 10th anniversary with angelic voices and stellar fiddling Saturday night.

The group performed a selection of Irish songs during the anniversary tour stop at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts in Wilkes-Barre.

“Thank you for being here with us on this special evening, as we celebrate Celtic Woman’s 10th anniversary,” singer Susan McFadden said.

Fiddler Máiréad Nesbitt and singers Méav, Máiréad Carlin and McFadden alternated in the spotlight throughout the evening, as well as during well-orchestrated group numbers. The foursome emerged in evening gowns and opened with the rising “The Sky, the Dawn, and the Sun.”

Carlin took the lead on the gentle “Newgrange,” a song about Stonehenge. Nesbitt got the audience clapping along as she fiddled and pranced across the stage to an instrumental number.

McFadden took over for stirring rendition of “Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears,” about Irish immigrant Annie Moore, the first to pass through Ellis Island. The group reunited for “Danny Boy,” and had a few concertgoers singing the words along quietly.

Méav and Carlin paired up for the traditional “Sí Do Mhaimeo Í” in Gaelic, and Méav followed it up with the energetic “Dulaman.”

Celtic Woman finished up the first act with a showstopping presentation of “Téir Abhaile Riú,” a song about a young woman trying to flee her responsibilities.

The show was a fitting way to continue the Irish heritage celebration in Northeastern Pennsylvania in the days before St. Patrick’s Day.


By Kristen Gaydos
citizensvoice.com
March 15, 2015