By
A performance by the innovative duo Liz Knowles and Kieran O’Hare, and a return appearance by Chieftains co-founder Michael Tubridy highlight this fall’s Gaelic Roots Music, Song, Dance, Workshop and Lecture Series at Boston College.
The series, directed by Sullivan Artist-in-Residence and master fiddler Séamus Connolly and sponsored by the Boston College Center for Irish Programs, brings to campus acclaimed musicians and experts in Irish, Scottish and other related Gaelic music traditions for free public events.
This semester’s edition of Gaelic Roots begins October 2 with a performance in the Walsh Hall Function Room by Knowles (fiddle) and O'Hare (uilleann pipes, flute, whistle). Individually and as a duo, the two are highly respected throughout the Irish music scene, known for their mastery of traditional, contemporary and original material. Their credits include stints with “Riverdance,” Cherish the Ladies, Celtic Legends, the String Sisters and even artists such as Bonnie Raitt and Paula Cole; among the venues where they have performed are Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, L’Olympia in Paris, and on Broadway. O’Hare and Knowles play with bouzouki player and vocalist Pat Broaders as the trio Open the Door for Three, which this year released its debut CD.
On October 21, Kieran Jordan ’96 — a renowned Irish dance teacher, performer and choreographer who is a member of the Irish Studies faculty — will lead a participatory Irish dance and ceili evening in the Gasson Hall Irish Room. Connolly will be a featured musician at the event along with Tubridy, a flute, whistle and concertina player who co-founded legendary Irish group The Chieftains; Tubridy played at last year’s ceili event.
Capping this semester’s Gaelic Roots schedule will be a holiday concert on December 5 in the Irish Room, which will include BC musicians.
All events start at 6:30 p.m.
For information and updates on Gaelic Roots, see www.bc.edu/gaelicroots.