Christmas with the Celts has become a favorite holiday experience for PBS viewers in recent years. But the energy of the performance is enhanced by seeing it live, where the combination of Irish music, dance and instrumentation can be seen and heard together without cutting to different camera angles.
Audiences will hear favorite traditional songs including “The Little Drummer Boy,” “Count Your Blessings,” “White Christmas,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” done in Emerald Isle style.
This marks the SAC’s first live show at the Performing Arts Center since before the pandemic, and executive director Tim Rowe is excited to share the experience with the community.
“Being able to bring this show to Springfield with an evening of Celtic music and dancing as well as having a holiday theme is something I am anxious for our audience to experience and enjoy,” he said.
The Youth Arts Ambassadors, who perform various shows throughout Springfield during the year, will have a chance to display their talent by joining the professionals onstage for a version of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s classic “Happy Xmas (War is Over).”
“Having our Youth Arts Ambassadors participate onstage with the Celts is an added bonus for our kids and an extra treat for the holidays for the audience,” Rowe said.
The performance is also part of this year’s Holiday in the City activities. Audiences are encouraged to enjoy the lights and activities in downtown Springfield as part of the experience before or after the show.
Clark State requires masks be worn by audience members in the PAC to attend this performance.
HOW TO GO
What: Christmas with the Celts
Where: Clark State Performing Arts Center, 300 South Fountain Ave., Springfield
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11
Admission: $29.50-44.50
More info: www.springfieldartscouncil.org/
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