Arts and Entertainment

Mackenzie Lesser-Roy was about to enter her junior year at Boston Conservatory when she was offered the opportunity of a lifetime - to play Girl, the female lead in the 2016-17 national tour of the musical “Once.” She left school to join the show. Many... Read more
Colm Keegan was born into a musical family – his father and five brothers all singers – and he has not strayed from his lineage. With a background in both traditional and choral singing, the Dublin native is best known for his nearly four-year stint with... Read more
The Galway Irish-Americana quartet We Banjo 3 returns to the Boston area this month with a show on Feb. 9 in the Somerville Theater at 8 p.m. “WB3” consists of two pairs of brothers, Enda (tenor banjo) and Fergal Scahill (fiddle, bodhran) and David (... Read more
Childsplay, “The Bloom of Youth” • Hard not to feel bittersweet about the latest release by this all-star fiddle ensemble, because it heralds the end of a grand two-decades-plus partnership. Childsplay comprises two dozen or so musicians – many from... Read more
Celtic Woman’s latest tour, featuring the ensemble’s latest recording, “Ancient Land,” is heading for New England, with stops planned in Concord (NH) at the Capitol Theatre on March 29, in Providence at the Performing Arts Center on April 2, in Hartford... Read more
What would “The King & I” have been like without Yul Brynner?  Or “Evita” without Patti LuPone?  Or “Music Man” without Robert Preston? It’s obvious that casting is essential to theatrical success.  The casting director works closely with a show’s... Read more
Sometimes, destiny comes in the form of a message that tells you you’re on your own. So it was for Joanie Madden some years ago when she was part of a new groundbreaking all-women Irish music group. Formed in 1985 for what was envisioned as a one-time... Read more
Sometimes, destiny comes in the form of a message that tells you you’re on your own. So it was for Joanie Madden some years ago when she was part of a new groundbreaking all-women Irish music group. Formed in 1985 for what was envisioned as a one-time... Read more
Sometimes, destiny comes in the form of a message that tells you you’re on your own. So it was for Joanie Madden some years ago when she was part of a new groundbreaking all-women Irish music group. Formed in 1985 for what was envisioned as a one-time... Read more
Karan Casey has long been a heart-on-her-sleeve type of person, whether she’s singing or speaking, and this past year has seen her do plenty of both. One of Ireland’s most high-profile female singers of the past two decades, a co-founder of groundbreaking... Read more
Karan Casey has long been a heart-on-her-sleeve type of person, whether she’s singing or speaking, and this past year has seen her do plenty of both. One of Ireland’s most high-profile female singers of the past two decades, a co-founder of groundbreaking... Read more
Karan Casey has long been a heart-on-her-sleeve type of person, whether she’s singing or speaking, and this past year has seen her do plenty of both. One of Ireland’s most high-profile female singers of the past two decades, a co-founder of groundbreaking... Read more
Kevin Burke, “An Evening with Kevin Burke” • Burke surely needs no introduction, but his introductions might. Fortunately, for those who have never experienced him in a live setting, this album spotlights both his musical and public speaking talents. Of... Read more
Kevin Burke, “An Evening with Kevin Burke” • Burke surely needs no introduction, but his introductions might. Fortunately, for those who have never experienced him in a live setting, this album spotlights both his musical and public speaking talents. Of... Read more
Kevin Burke, “An Evening with Kevin Burke” • Burke surely needs no introduction, but his introductions might. Fortunately, for those who have never experienced him in a live setting, this album spotlights both his musical and public speaking talents. Of... Read more
There’s something about the phrase “between the earth and sky” that really works for the Dublin quartet Lankum – which will make its Boston-area debut Jan. 11 at Club Passim in Harvard Square – and not just because that’s the name of their most recent... Read more
There’s something about the phrase “between the earth and sky” that really works for the Dublin quartet Lankum – which will make its Boston-area debut Jan. 11 at Club Passim in Harvard Square – and not just because that’s the name of their most recent... Read more
Most artists spend a lifetime perfecting their craft. But whether someone is an actor, singer, dancer, writer, designer, or painter, he or she may not be completely comfortable in maneuvering the business side of the arts. Longtime arts administrator... Read more
Highlighting January’s area Irish/Celtic events is the 16th annual Boston Celtic Music Fest (BCMFest), which takes place Jan. 17-20 in Harvard Square. In addition to spotlighting many performers with ties to Greater Boston, the festival will welcome... Read more
Not surprisingly, holiday-themed performances – such as “A Christmas Celtic Sojourn” and the Robbie O’Connell-Rose Clancy “Celtic Christmas” benefit [see stories elsewhere in this issue] – are plentiful amidst this month’s offerings of Irish/Celtic music... Read more

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