Axe ’Em, Jacks!
Celtic fiddling star Eileen Ivers will return to SFA with her band, Immigrant Soul, to present a holiday concert featuring traditional Irish songs, original tunes and holiday favorites at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, in W.M. Turner Auditorium. Photo by Luke Ratray.NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Musical star of the original "Riverdance," Grammy Award-winning musician and nine time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion Eileen Ivers will present "An Nollaig - An Irish Christmas" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University.
The concert, which is part of the SFA College of Fine Arts' University Series, is billed as a "heartwarming holiday show" that "captures the spirit and magic of the season."
"We are so excited to be bringing this show back to Nacogdoches," said Fine Arts Box Office manager Diane J. Flynn. "Four years ago, our audience absolutely loved the music, the energy, and the musicians!"
The program features traditional Irish songs, original tunes and holiday favorites specially arranged by Eileen Ivers and her band, Immigrant Soul. The ensemble headlines at prestigious performing arts centers, guest stars with numerous symphonies, performs at major festivals worldwide, and has appeared on national and international television.
Joining Ivers and her band for parts of the program will be Irish step dancers from the Cass Academy of Irish Dance in The Woodlands and the SFA Madrigal Singers.
Born in an Irish community in The Bronx, Ivers began playing the fiddle at the age of 8. She has been called a "sensation" by Billboard magazine and "the Jimi Hendrix of the violin" by The New York Times.
From her star musical turn in "Riverdance" and her 30-plus medals in the All-Ireland championships to her session work and appearances with such diverse artists and ensembles as Sting, Paula Cole, and the Boston Pops Orchestra, Ivers has established herself among the pre-eminent exponents of the Irish fiddle in the world today.
"We are pleased to provide this quality, family-friendly entertainment for East Texas," said Dr. A.C. "Buddy" Himes, dean of the College of Fine Arts. "We invite everyone to join us for this wonderful concert."
Prior to the concert, Dr. Jennifer Dalmas, associate professor of violin and viola, will give a brief informative talk at 7 p.m. in Griffith Gallery, located across the hall from Turner Auditorium. The audience is invited back to the gallery for a post-performance reception to meet the artists and honor the event's corporate sponsor, Nacogdoches Medical Center.
Turner Auditorium and Griffith Gallery are located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, 2222 Alumni Drive.
Tickets range from $35 to $17.50, with discounts available for seniors, students and youth. For tickets or more information, please go to www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.