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Sponsored by Greenleaf Landscapes
The acclaimed Irish singer Cathie Ryan and her award-winning band celebrate a traditional Irish American Christmas with The Winter’s Heart®. Featuring Cathie’s heart-stirring vocals, virtuoso musicianship on fiddle, mandolin, guitar, harmony vocals, and percussion, championship Irish step dancing, and beloved stories, this musical celebration of the holidays is sure to warm the heart.
From ethereal hymns to exuberant jigs and reels, The Winter’s Heart revels in the wealth of Irish Christmas traditions including leaving a candle in the window to light loved ones home, hunting for the wren on St Stephen’s Day, Nollaig na mBan (Women’s Christmas), and more. The rituals of the Winter Solstice, for centuries considered a sacred time in Ireland, will also be honored in this beautiful program.
The Winter’s Heart: An Irish American Christmas is a holiday event sure to kindle the warmth and joy of the season.
“One of the leading voices in Celtic Music.”
— The L.A. Times
For over twenty-five years, including five solo albums, countless musical collaborations, and multiple awards, Cathie Ryan has been in the vanguard of Irish music. She is blessed with a voice of luminous clarity and a gift for unearthing gems from Irish and American song traditions, creating her own heart-stirring originals, and for showcasing writers whose work deserves wider recognition. Wrap this musical integrity into a consummate entertainer and it is no wonder the Wall Street Journal calls her music, “a revelation.”
Cathie is a captivating performer whose shows are renowned for their intimacy and power, as well as her witty banter. “There is nothing like a live show. I love the energy, the give and take, of being with an audience. And I love to have fun up there!” she says. Cathie happily shares the stage, and the show, with her award-winning band. Featuring Patsy O’Brien on guitar, Matt Mancuso on fiddle, and Brian Melick on percussion, the band weaves subtle arrangements and harmonies around Cathie’s vocals and match her charming repartee with dazzling sets of traditional tunes.
Cathie Ryan Band has built a loyal following by touring internationally and singing “songs of the heart” at performing arts centers, festivals, folk clubs, and with symphony orchestras. They have been featured on national and public television throughout the world. Their radio highlights include NPR’s Mountain Stage and Thistle and Shamrock, PRI’s The World, BBC in England and Northern Ireland, Radio Scotland, and RTÉ and RnaG in Ireland.
Cathie’s fifth CD, Through Wind and Rain, is bringing her music to a much wider audience. Irish America Magazine twice named her one of the “Top 100 Irish Americans” and liveireland.com has twice honored her as “Irish Female Vocalist of the Decade.” When not singing, Cathie leads tours of Ireland for Rick Steves’ Europe. She also hosts pledge programming for PBS whenever possible.
“Anyone wondering what constitutes excellence in Irish American singing today need only attend a Cathie Ryan concert.” — The Wall Street Journal
