Bill Whelan News

Irish Arts Center (IAC), the multidisciplinary center dedicated to bringing people of all backgrounds together through the excellence and dynamism of Irish arts and culture, this year creates a thrilling intersection of musical traditions from Ireland and the Gulf of Mexico for its annual Winter Solstice Celebration (December 14 at Symphony Space). The beloved holiday gathering is hosted by NEA award winner and "one of the most important Irish musicians to emerge from the folk revival of the 1970s" (Time Out) Mick Moloney (banjo, mandolin, vocals) and acclaimed fiddler Athena Tergis.

This year, a living legend of musical theatre turns 90: Lyricist-bookwriter Tom Jones (who also, under a stage name) appeared in the original company of his most famous and wildly successful record-breaking musical, The Fantasticks. His collaborator, composer Harvey Schmidt, just recently passed away. The production's record-breaking run closed, on January 13, 2002, after 17,162 performances. Their shows also include 110 in the Shade, I Do! I Do!, Philemon, Celebration and many more. And celebration is what it's about when Broadway veterans Carole Demas, who originated the role of Sandy in Grease, and Sarah Rice, who originated the role of Johanna in Sweeney Todd, return to celebrate Jones & Schmidt. Demas and Rice have based the show on their 50 years of work and personal relationships with Tom and Harvey. With very special guest Broadway's Hal Robinson who is also a Fantasticks alumni.

On Friday 25th January 2019 Heresy Records will release Testament, an album of eleven compositions by Mel Mercier (b. 23. December, 1959), Composer/Percussionist/Professor and Chair of Performing Arts at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick. Mel was first introduced to music by his father, Peadar Mercier, a member of the Chieftains, who taught him to play the Irish traditional percussion instruments, the bodhrán and bones. As one of the world's leading Irish percussionists He has performed and recorded with many of the leading artists in this genre including, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Donal Lunny, Pallé Mikkleborg, Martin Hayes, Liam Ó Maonlaoi, Alan Stivell, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Caitríona O'Leary and Bill Whelan.

 Five Boroughs Music Festival (5BMF) opens its 2018-19 season with a performance by duo Fire & Grace, featuring guitarist William Coulter and violinist Edwin Huizinga. Fire & Grace's programs explore the connective musical elements of classical, folk, and contemporary traditions from around the world, showcased through the duo's own arrangements. Concerts are held on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. at An Beal Bocht Café in Riverdale in collaboration with ClassicalCafé, with additional performances on Friday, September 28, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. atRockwood Music Hall, Stage 3 in Manhattan, and on Sunday, September 30, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at Alice Austen House in Staten Island.

This year, a living legend of musical theatre turns 90: Lyricist-bookwriter Tom Jones (who also, under a stage name) appeared in the original company of his most famous and wildly successful record-breaking musical, The Fantasticks. His collaborator, composer Harvey Schmidt, just recently passed away. The production's record-breaking run closed, on January 13, 2002, after 17,162 performances. Their shows also include 110 in the Shade, I Do! I Do!, Philemon, Celebration and many more. And celebration is what it's about when Broadway veterans Carole Demas, who originated the role of Sandy in Grease, and Sarah Rice, who originated the role of Johanna in Sweeney Todd, return to celebrate Jones & Schmidt. Demas and Rice have based the show on their 50 years of work and personal relationships with Tom and Harvey. With very special guest Broadway's Hal Robinson who is also a Fantasticks alumni.

The RIVERDANCE 20 Years tour enlivens the Eccles Theater with its entrancing celebration of world dance. The Irish dancing phenomenon RIVERDANCE is a brand of entertainment beloved the world over since it first premiered more than two decades ago. The precision and artistry of its performers are legendary, and this production is no exception with its flurry of flying feet in perfect synchronization.

I have never written 'tour de force' without a hint of irony. But that's simply the most accurate way to describe RIVERDANCE - THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY WORLD TOUR. The longest-running and most popular Irish-centric international dance act in history has been seen by over 25 million people over 20 years for one reason: it's really, really good.

Riverdance, the internationally acclaimed dance phenomenon returns to Houston with, RIVERDANCE - THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY WORLD TOUR from March 9 to 11. To get the inside scoop on the long-running fan favorite, we sat down with Lead Dancer Any-Mae Dolan and chatted about the show.

Irish Arts Center (IAC), the arts and cultural center dedicated to projecting a dynamic image of Ireland and Irish America for the 21st century, presents an exhilarating array of musical programs this spring.

Moya Doherty is proud to announce that Riverdance - The 20th Anniversary World Tour, back by popular demand, will play a strictly limited engagement at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre from Friday, April 13 - Sunday, April 15, 2018. Tickets for the international Irish dance phenomenon go on sale Monday, February 26 @ 10am. Ticket prices start at $30.50 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-855-985-5000. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling 1-800-889-8457. Broadway Across Canada Subscribers can visit BroadwayAcrossCanada.ca or call 1.866.542.7469.

The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Florida Theatrical Association and Broadway Across America announce that tickets are now available to the general public for the Orlando engagement of Riverdance - The 20th Anniversary World Tour, which is an add-on in the 2017 - 2018 FAIRWINDS Broadway in Orlando season.

The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Florida Theatrical Associationand Broadway Across America announce the addition of Riverdance - The 20th Anniversary World Tour to the 2017 - 2018 FAIRWINDS Broadway in Orlando season.

Irish Arts Center presents Masters in Collaboration XII: Rhiannon Giddens Meets Dirk Powell (February 9-11), the next chapter in a series that, since its launch in 2008, has consistently served as a risk-rewarding incubator and platform for the merging of musical talents outside the dynamics of the commercial marketplace. Last season, the collaboration between Cassandra Wilson and Liam Maonla fostered at IAC blossomed into an international tour to Dublin, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York, with an ensemble of top jazz, folk and Irish musicians from both sides of the Atlantic, in a performance where their innate musicality allowed their distinct vocabularies to speak as one (Chicago Tribune).

The 20th Anniversary World Tour, back by popular demand, will play a strictly limited engagement at The State Theatre on Tuesday, February 6 and Wednesday, February 7.

BBVA Compass Broadway at the Hobby Center announced individual tickets for Riverdance The 20th Anniversary World Tour are on sale now for the international Irish dance phenomenon. Moya Doherty is proud to announce that Riverdance - The 20th Anniversary World Tour, back by popular demand, will play a strictly limited engagement at the Hobby Center from Friday March 9, 2018 Sunday March 11, 2018. Celebrating an extraordinary milestone for an incredible show, The Edinburgh Evening News raves about Riverdance - The 20th Anniversary World Tour, As for the flaws? Well, there simply aren't any. Here's to another 20 years!

Irish Arts Center (IAC), the arts and cultural center dedicated to projecting a dynamic image of Ireland and Irish America for the 21st century, announces its Spring 2018 lineup, featuring a characteristically wide range of theatrical, musical, dance, literary, podcast, interdisciplinary and educational events.

Irish Arts Center Announces Spring 2018 Season

The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Florida Theatrical Association and Broadway Across America announce that tickets are now available to the general public for the Orlando engagement of Riverdance - The 20th Anniversary World Tour, which is an add-on in the 2017 - 2018 FAIRWINDS Broadway in Orlando season.

RIVERDANCE, the celebration of Irish song and dance phenomenon created by Moya Doherty, composer Bill Whelan and director John McColgan is celebrating its 20th anniversary with an extensive world tour.  Though the current iteration is much more stripped down than it was during the glory days, it still packs a wallop with lightning fast feet, boot stomping fiddle and a stage just bursting with talent.  The microphones on the stage mean that you can hear every click and tap, and you don't quite realize the intensity of the sound until you realize that your ears are ringing afterward.  Long time fans may be a bit somewhat underwhelmed, but despite the more subdued feeling, there is still a joy and electricity in seeing this show live that is thoroughly delightful.  

The 20th Anniversary World Tour will play a strictly limited engagement at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) from June 2 - June 4, 2017. Celebrating an extraordinary milestone for an incredible show, The Edinburgh Evening News raves about RIVERDANCE - The 20th Anniversary World Tour, "As for the flaws? Well, there simply aren't any. Here's to another 20 years!"