Celebrate the holidays in Irish style with Celtic Holiday Hooley, the Irish music and dance spectacular showcasing the O’Shea Irish Dancers and the Celtic Junction Band with choreography and music direction by original Riverdance cast member Cormac O’Sé of Dublin. Seven evening and matinee shows take place between Dec 9th and Dec 17th at the Celtic Junction Arts Center in St. Paul. Tickets range from $0 (youth 18 and under are free) to $30 and are available at celticjunction.org. This annual event is sure to become a family tradition!
A variety show for all ages, the Hooley features Irish music, sketches, stories, step dance, caroling, and brief guest appearances from some holiday characters. The Celtic Holiday Hooley is hosted by comedian Joshua Will and Natalie Nugent O’Shea. Musicians include three-time Live Ireland Awards “Best Vocalist of the Year” Norah Rendell; Todd Menton of band Boiled in Lead; multi-instrumentalist and singer Dennis Curley; fiddler Kelsey Gunn; guitarist Dean Magraw; and Cormac O Sé. The O’Shea Irish dancers include regional and national champions.
The Celtic Junction Arts Center (CJAC) is a cultural hub and performance venue located in the Creative Enterprise Zone of St. Paul. Voted “Best Irish Center/Festival in North America” by Irish Central’s Creativity and Arts Awards, this world-class intimate venue has been hosting concerts and theatrical events since 2009. It is the permanent home of O’Shea Irish Dance and the Center for Irish Music. Both organizations have a hand in training these young performers into the professionals they are.