December 5, 2011
The holiday spirit is headed to the Whatley Center for the Performing Arts at ²ÝÁñÉçÇø. The traditional Irish music group Cherish the Ladies will perform a Christmas show on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m.
With their unique spectacular blend of virtuosi instrumental talents, beautiful vocals, captivating arrangements and stunning step dancing, Cherish the Ladies combines all the facets of Irish traditional culture and puts it forth in an immensely humorous and entertaining package.†The event is sponsored by Guaranty Bond Bank. Tickets to the show are $30 for adults and $10 for students. The NTCC Professional Employee Group will be hosting holiday festivities before the event.
"We have always received great feedback when we have hosted a traditional Irish music group in the past. Cherish the Ladies is one of the best out there and I am thrilled to host them at the Whatley Center," Carolyn Franks, Director of the Whatley Center, said.â€
Taking their name from a traditional Irish jig, the group initially began in 1985 with a series of concerts celebrating the rise of female musicians in once a male dominated scene. The concerts were held in New York City and organized by Dr. Mick Moloney and the Ethnic Folk Arts Center. The troupe initially won recognition as the first all-women traditional music and dance ensemble, but they soon established themselves as musicians and performers without peer and have since won many thousands of fans of their music.
During their travels, Cherish the Ladies has attained numerous awards and achievements including; named Best Musical Group of the Year by the BBC, Top North American Celtic Group at the Irish Music Awards, Entertainment Group of the Year by the Irish Voice Newspaper, chosen the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall's International Group of the Year at the Celtic Connections Festival in Scotland and voted Top North American Celtic act by NPR Radio "Thistle and Shamrock" program. In 2010, the ladies were immortalized as they were bestowed a street naming as "Joanie Madden and Cherish the Ladies" became a permanent street sign on the Grand Concourse in the Bronx, New York.
They have shared the stage with such noted entertainers as James Taylor, Joan Baez, Emmy Lou Harris, The Clancy Brothers, Tommy Makem, The Chieftains and dozens of symphony orchestras. The "Celtic Album", their collaboration with the Boston Pops Symphony led to a 1999 Grammy nomination. Their latest release, "Country Crossroads" sees the Ladies joining forces with the Nashville music scene and they are joined by top session musicians with guest vocals by legendary singers Vince Gill, Nanci Griffith and Maura O'Connell.
The Ladies have recorded fourteen highly acclaimed albums which were all released to rave reviews including their Christmas Album which was chosen as one of the top Albums of the Year by The New York Times, Washington Post, The Village Voice and many other nationally syndicated Newspapers and their latest album "Country Crossroads" recorded in Nashville and featuring guest stars Vince Gill, Nanci Griffith and Maura O'Connell.
For more information about the December 13 performance, or to book tickets, call 903-434-8181. Seats are limited, so reservations are highly recommended. Visit for information about Cherish the Ladies †and other upcoming shows at the Whatley Center.â€
