WGBH Presents 'A St. Patrick's Day Celtic Sojourn,' 3/17 & 24

For the past six years, WGBH radio host Brian O'Donovan has introduced sold-out audiences of A St. Patrick's Day Celtic Sojourn to a wide range of new and familiar Celtic singers, musicians, and dancers. The Seventh Annual St. Patrick's Day Celtic Sojourn with Brian O'Donovan returns to the Zeiterion Theater in New Bedford on Saturday, March 17 and Harvard University's Sanders Theatre in Cambridge on Saturday, March 24. Tickets and information for both shows are available at www.wgbh.org/celtic.

Steeped in Celtic tradition, this year's performers include:

· Dublin-born Susan McKeown, accompanied by newcomer and rising star Michael Brunnock who recently recorded songs for Sean Penn's newest movie This Must be the Place.

· The Bee Eaters will perform alongside the string talents of Tristan and Tashina Clarridge, as well as hammer-dulcimer player extraordinaire, Simon Chrisman .

· Named one of the "most accomplished and gifted string player of his generation" Jeremy Kittel, a regular collaborator with the Bee Eaters, will perform songs of his popular new CD, Chasing Sparks.

· Jefferson Hamer and Dublin native Eamon O'Leary make up two thirds of the group the Murphy Beds and were also part of a memorable Guest Street Session at with Brian during this past year at WGBH.

· Longtime Dancer Director for A Christmas Celtic Sojourn, Kieran Jordan will be returning with a group of hand-picked dancers. Joined on stage by Jackie O'Riley and Kristen Kelly, she will bring variety and percussive spice to the gatherings.

· Local fiddle phenom Tina Lech will be joined by Uilleann Piper Joey Arbata, and founding member of the band Touchstone. Mark Roberts. They will add the required touch of "pure drop" playing to the evening's activities.

"St. Patrick's Day – indeed the whole month of March - is a time for many in the Irish Diaspora to celebrate roots" says O'Donovan, producer and host for the concert. "For many others, with no ethnic connection whatsoever to the country, it is a time to explore a music and dance culture that is at once sophisticated and accessible, while tracing its origins back hundreds, even thousands of years. Everyone is welcome to our party on St. Patrick's Day!"

O'Donovan is the host of the weekly radio show A Celtic Sojourn airing Saturday afternoons from 3pm-6pm on WGBH in Boston. The show regularly explores music from the Celtic countries and England. The St. Patrick's Day Celtic Sojourn series was first launched in 2005; the concert follows the format established for the burgeoning Christmas Celtic Sojourn series of concerts which, during this past December, played to almost 10,000 people in Boston, New Bedford, Worcester, Rockport, and Portsmouth, NH. The St. Patrick's Day Celtic Sojourn concerts reflect the easy, relaxed and diverse offerings of O'Donovan's weekly program.

A St. Patrick's Day Celtic Sojourn at the Zeiterion Theatre – Saturday, March 17 at 8pm, 684 Purchase Street New Bedford, MA 02741.

Ticket prices are $45, $40, $36 and $28. (WGBH member discounts available).

Tickets are available at the Zeiterion Box office, by phone at (508) 994-2900 or online at http://tickets.zeiterion.org/.

A St. Patrick's Day Celtic Sojourn at the Sanders Theatre, Harvard University – Saturday, March 24 at 8pm, 45 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA 02138.

Ticket prices are $45, $35, $25. (WGBH member discounts available).

Tickets are available at the Sanders Theatre Box office, by phone (617)-496-2222 or online at http://ofa.fas.harvard.edu/boxoffice.

For more information visit http://www.wgbh.org/celtic.