AN IRISH CHRISTMAS Returns to Harris Center

An Irish Christmas is a holiday journey across the Emerald Isle, featuring superb dancing and authentic Irish music from a cast of 15 musicians and dancers. This year's performances feature the return of World Champion Irish Dancers Scott Doherty and Tyler Schwartz in a memorable night of family entertainment, which will feature everything from traditional Christmas Carols to distinctly Irish traditions (dancing over brooms and around butter churns). "Magical... glorious Irish music... electric... remarkable... pure joy... a great Irish night! - ...The capacity crowd nearly brought the house down at the end of the evening!" (The Irish Herald).

An Irish Christmas comes to Folsom for three performances, including two matinees: Saturday, December 23, 2017, at 11 am, 2 pm and 7 pm. Tickets are $23-$43; Premium $48, Children & Students with ID $18. They are available online at www.harriscenter.net or from the Harris Center Ticket Office at 916-608-6888 from noon to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday, and two hours before show time. Parking is included in the price of the ticket. The Harris Center is located on the west side of the Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom, CA, facing East Bidwell Street.

As seen on PBS, "an overwhelming success... glorious music, dance, and plenty of Irish soul" (Irish News and Entertainment), An Irish Christmas boasts traditional holiday songs that range from " Little Drummer Boy" and "Silent Night" to "Tá dhá ghabhairín bhuí agam" ( "Children's Song") and "The Boar's Head Carol" (traditional Christmas Carol).

An Irish Christmas features an award-winning cast of Irish dancers in a memorable night of family entertainment that sparkles with the charm and magic that only this festive time of year can bring.

Conceived, produced and directed by Margaret O' Carroll, An Irish Christmas is embarking on a 13-state, 38 city tour-but it's been an established part of the holiday season in Folsom for years. The show is "genuinely astonishing... electric!" (Village News), but it's more than that. Says O'Carroll, "We are craftsmen and craftswomen who carry the stories to the next generation through every-day events such as storytelling, song, music, dance and our daily rituals. Folk theatre is the protector, the interpreter, the narrator, the pulse, the heartbeat of these traditions."

The production features Scott Doherty (Principal Dancer and Dance Captain), the 2009 men's world champion of Irish dance. Scott made his professional debut with the North American tour of Riverdance. Since then he has toured the world with both Riverdance and Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance. Scott was invited to perform the lead role in Gaelforce Dance for their 2012/2013 tours of Europe and Asia, and been a guest performer with many acclaimed Irish acts, including the Irish Tenors and Cherish the Ladies. This is Scott's fourth season with An Irish Christmas. Lead dancer Tyler Schwartz began competitive Irish step dancing in Chicagowhen he was eight years old. Since then, he has gone on to win many illustrious titles, including the all-Ireland Championship, All-Scotland Championship, North American Championship, and Great-Britain Championship! He capped off his competitive career winning the Senior Men's World Championship in 2013.

This Year Marks Seven Seasons of Great Shows. Up Close. In Folsom!

The Harris Center for the Arts at Folsom Lake College brings the community together to share in cultural experiences featuring the work of artists from throughout the region and around the world. Built and operated by the Los Rios Community College District, the $50 million, state-of-the-art regional performing arts center boasts three intimate venues with outstanding acoustics, an art gallery, a recording studio, elegant teaching spaces, plenty of safe parking and all the other amenities of a world-class performing arts venue. Each year the Center hosts approximately 400 events attracting upwards of 150,000 annually.