Magical Strings’ 26th Annual Celtic Yuletide Concert

Magical Strings is presenting a joyous evening of music, dance, song, and storytelling with its 26th Annual Celtic Yuletide Concert Monday, December 20, 7:00pm at Lopez Center.

This popular gala event unites the Boulding and Raney families’ three generations of musicians and dancers in a festive weaving of the ancient Yuletide journey heralding the return of light midst winter’s darkness.

With Celtic harps, hammered dulcimers, whistles, concertina, strings, and harp-like instruments from around the world, the Bouldings will play traditional carols and their own compositions and will be joined by the lightning feet of the Raney Irish Dancers on the jigs and reels. Colleen Raney, with her beautiful soprano voice, will sing a carol in Gaelic, and Mark Raney, with his warmth and presence, will sing a poignant winter song.

Brittany, the Bouldings’ youngest, will return from graduate studies at the Colburn School of Performing Arts in L.A., and wow the audience with her violin solo and lively Irish fiddling. Geoffrey and Brenin, the two eldest, will join in with their fiddle and cello, while twins Morgan and Marshall add their concert whistle, harmonium, and wire-strung harp. The “Ancient Bard” will provide a glimpse of another world through story and verse, and invite the audience to don a costume, process through the hall, and join in the caroling near the close of the evening.

Tickets are $12 adults and $6 youth and are available at fish bay mercantile, Islehaven Books, Blossom Organic Grocery, and Lopez Center. For more information call 468-2203 or visit www.lopezcenter.com.

This event is part of the Artists in Action series sponsored by the Norcliffe Foundation, WA State Arts Commission, Wallace Foundation, and Lopez Center. The artists will also do a presentation in Lopez school early next year.

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