NICEVILLE — Experience the talents of some of Ireland’s finest female performers in Women of Ireland an internationally touring show that will appear at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Ireland’s traditions of music, song and dance will come alive in one performance only for a perfect Valentine treat for all ages. Women of Ireland, an innovative and exciting concert production, showcases the next generation of Ireland’s leading female talent. A full stage concert production, the show demonstrates the well of talent that exists within Ireland’s traditions of music, song and dance.
The common theme inherent in all performances is the presentation of the most revered qualities of Ireland’s ethnic music, which are transported from the Irish fireside to the international concert hall platform. Special significance is placed on depicting the pure qualities of Irish music in a contemporary setting.
Featuring world championship dancers and performances by some of Ireland’s finest; tickets for Women of Ireland are on sale for $35 each or $30 each for groups of 10 or more tickets purchased together.
For tickets, contact the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Box at 729-6000 or 1-888-838-ARTS (2787) Monday to Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. or purchase online at mattiekellyartscenter.org.
Tickets will also be sold the night of the show, availability permitting, starting at 6 p.m. At-the-door seating is the same price as advance tickets. There is a $2 per ticket processing fee.
Performing professionally since the age of 17, Siobhán Manson is the winner of many national and international Irish dancing titles. In 2004, Manson joined the Broadway phenomenon “Riverdance” and spent four years touring the U.S., Asia and Europe.
Her career highlights include performing for the Empress Michiko of Japan in Tokyo, dancing at the Kremlin State Palace in Moscow and performing live for more than a billion viewers at the Chinese 2009 New Year Festival in Beijing.
The 2001 winner of the All-Ireland Senior Fiddle Championship, Zoë Conway, has played with international acts such as “Riverdance,” Damien Rice, Nick Cave and Lou Reed among others. She has performed in some of the most prestigious concert halls including The National Concert Hall, Dublin; The Kremline, Russia; and Carnegie Hall, New York.
Michelle Lally is a powerful singer from Galway in the west of Ireland, who has emerged on the international Irish music scene. Her renditions of contemporary easy listening Irish music are impossible to resist with the gentle charm of her immediately identifiable pure tone.
Another highly acclaimed singer in the Dublin music scene is Ingrid Madsen, who has impressed audiences nationwide with her haunting coal talent. Madsen’s captivating voice creates the perfect atmosphere to suit the mood of any song. Her extensive repertoire encompasses Celtic, contemporary or traditional folk songs, and sacred hymns.
Denise Brennan began touring at the age of 19 when she joined “Riverdance – the show.” A versatile singer, Brennan has also sung solo for thousands at Bunratty Castle, Ireland and at Croke Park Stadium for the 2000 Special Olympics with “Riverdance.” She recently released her debut album “Sailing With The Wind.”
The Mattie Kelly Arts Center is a performing arts venue on the Niceville campus of NWF State College at 100 College Blvd.