Christmas With the Celts
Dec. 23, 2011
Christmas With the Celts is an uplifting, spirited holiday celebration hosted by the international Irish music group The Celts, along with special guests Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh from the world famous Donegal group Altan, Riverdance/Lord of the Dance piper Ivan Goff, The Gael String Orchestra, The Nashville Irish StepDancers and the Children’s Celtic Choir. Filmed at Nashville’s famed Ryman Auditorium, Christmas With the Celts airs Friday, December 23, 2011 at 10 p.m. on Eight, Arizona PBS.
Described as “modern meets ancestral,” Christmas With the Celts combines fiery new arrangements of modern seasonal classics, including John Lennon’s “Happy Christmas,” with ancient carols discovered by producer/musical director Ric Blair — some dating as far back as the 12th century and with shockingly relevant lyrics, presented on PBS for the first time.
The show has the energy of a rock concert, combining a brilliant nine-piece band, smoking-hot fiddling and piping from the world’s best, electrifying drums, moving and dramatic vocals, spirited Irish dancing, a rousing string orchestra and a children’s choir.