News and Press

IRISH MUSIC PHENOMENON CELTIC WOMAN ANNOUNCES BRAND-NEW NORTH AMERICAN TOUR – “SONGS FROM THE HEART” IN 2010

TOUR TO SUPPORT NEW CD & DVD SONGS FROM THE HEART
AVAILABLE IN STORES AND ONLINE JANUARY 26^TH

“One of the most wildly popular singing groups on the planet”

 – The Cincinnati Examiner

TICKETS ON SALE: MON., DEC. 14 @ 12:00 NOON

CELTIC WOMAN will perform in Erie on Feb. 23rd at 7:30pm at the Warner Theatre.  For tickets call (814) 452-4857 or (800) 745-3000. Purchase at the Tullio Arena box office, Ticketmaster outlets or www.ticketmaster.com.  For more information visit www.celticwoman.com

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The Irish music phenomenon, Celtic Woman, has announced their brand-new North American tour in support of their new CD/DVD release of same title, Songs from the Heart, available on January 26^th through Manhattan Records. The group is set to delight live audiences with what the Cleveland Plain Dealer has called a “highly polished, tightly choreographed extravaganza.” The tour kicks off February 9^th in Roanoke, VA with performances lined up in 60 cities through May 22^nd in Salt Lake City.

Deemed a “phenomenon” by the Boston Globe, the group continues to enchant fans live - moving seamlessly between Irish classics, contemporary covers and original compositions. During the 2010 "Songs from the Heart" tour, fans have the opportunity to experience Celtic Woman's most dazzling production yet, featuring renditions of "Amazing Grace," Jimmy Webb's "The Moon's a Harsh Mistress," Andrew Lloyd Weber's "Pie Jesu," Billy Joel's "Goodnight My Angel," and Irish classics "My Lagan Love," "Galway Bay," as well as a new favorite "Níl Sé'n Lá."

On the Songs from the Heart, musical director David Downes beautifully captures the pure essence of Celtic Woman showcasing the celestial sounds of vocalists Lisa Kelly, Chloë Agnew, Lynn Hilary and Alex Sharpe along with the dynamic inventiveness of Celtic Violinist Máiréad Nesbitt. The CD features studio recorded versions of songs performed during their PBS TV Special “Songs from the Heart- Live at Powerscourt House & Gardens.” The TV special began airing Nov 28^th on PBS stations around the country as part of the network’s quarterly pledge drive and has immediately yielded outstanding viewership results.

Filmed live in HD in the lush Irish country setting of the majestic Powerscourt House & Gardens, the TV special can be enjoyed on the companion live DVD - Songs from the Heart. Celtic Woman’s last four PBS TV specials have aired close to 14,000 times on 685 PBS stations across the country. Songs from the Heart marks the group’s 5^th PBS TV special.

In only four years, Celtic Woman has had CDs and DVDS sales topping 4 million, played 9 U.S. tours, and performed for almost a million people. They recently performed at the National Christmas Tree Lighting in Washington D.C. joining entertainers like Sheryl Crow, Common, Jordin Sparks and Ray LaMontagne.  As a testament to the group’s ability to cross musical and cultural boundaries, Celtic Woman were invited to perform on ABC’s Dancing With The Stars singing for 23 million viewers.

A true celebration of Ireland with an unforgettable signature style, don’t miss an “evening of spectacular entertainment” (Kalamazoo Gazette) when Celtic Woman performs live in concert.  

After a decade of research, the story of the last original Warner Bros. theater has been published.  Erie’s Warner Theatre, first opened on April 10, 1931, has been a center for the region’s cultural life throughout its 78 year history.  Originally designed as a picture palace and vaudeville house, it provided a venue for escape from troubles during the Depression.  For decades it was at the center of Erie’s social life, but as television took hold, it lost much of its audience and was in danger of closure in the 1970s.  Only with the intervention of Erie’s Mayor Lou Tullio did it survive the wrecking ball.  This story is among the many tales that “A Picture Palace Transformed: How Erie’s Warner Theatre Survived a Changing World” presents.

Author Barbara J. Hauck has brought together the building’s history with stories of the people who managed the theatre and who enjoyed movies, performances, and special events within its walls.  Based on the works of Edinboro University professor Dr. John Marsh (deceased), she brings the reader to the present day and the Warner’s central place as Erie’s performing arts center.  Combining research and interviews conducted by Brian Sheridan, she adds personal stories throughout the book.  Photos of Erie’s past are coupled with stunning photographs by Erie photographer Art Becker, making this book a beautiful and rewarding look at one of Erie’s historical and cultural centerpieces.

Books are available at Border’s Bookstore, the Erie Bookstore, and at the Warner Theatre before all performances. All proceeds from the sale of this book will be used for the restoration, expansion, and maintenance of the Warner Theatre. Cost $29.95.