With apologies to Stevie Wonder: Boogie on, Celtic Woman.
Since 2004, when Riverdance ex–pat David Downes conceived of an all–girl ensemble to capitalize on the burgeoning American craze for lush Irish music, Celtic Women has been top o’the morning, on tour, on CD, and (to be sure) on PBS.
Combining the shimmery vocals of artists like Enya, the jigs and reels of Riverdance, and the high–concept stage effects of everything Michael Flatley’s ever done, Celtic Woman returns to the Johnny Mercer Theatre Feb. 21.
Free movies!
I was in Richmond, Va. over the Thanksgiving weekend, where I saw a friend perform in an Equity–company production of the musical White Christmas. It’s written around Irving Berlin songs, and even though it lays on the schmaltz big–time, it’s a lot of fun. And the cast was terrific.
It was all new to me. Apparently, I was the only person on the planet who’d never seen the 1954 film version of White Christmas. Starring Bing Crosby, Vera–Ellen, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney, it was the biggest box office hit of that year (The Caine Mutiny, one of my favorites, came in second).
This means I’ll be front and center when it’s screened at the Trustees Theater Dec. 18, the final movie in an all–day holiday–thon presented by SCAD.
There are three films, and admission is free. Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas starts things off at 11 a.m. (you’ll pardon me if I sit that one out). At 2 p.m., it’s the Disney–made CGI version of A Christmas Carol, with Jim Carrey Scrooging things up. White Christmas is onscreen at 7 p.m.
The two matinees will be preceded by a holiday sing–along, with free refreshments and “a visit from Santa and his elves.” Call (912) 525–5050 for more info.
@ On a somber note, Dec. 8 marks the 30th anniversary of John Lennon’s passing. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about him. You know, after I eliminated all the terrible things in the world - war, genocide, famine, cruelty, ignorance - I would go back in time and stop the senseless murder of this amazing man.
