Irish-American supergroup Cherish the Ladies Returns for Muskegon St. Patrick’s Day celebration
MUSKEGON, MI, February 28, 2024— The New York Times calls their music “passionate, tender, and rambunctious” and The Washington Post praises their “astonishing array of virtuosity.” For more than 37 years, Irish-American Cherish the Ladies has won the hearts of audiences worldwide with their rousing blend of traditional music, captivating vocals, and propulsive step dancing. The Grammy-nominated supergroup—whom conductor Keith Lockhart called “energetic, fun and innately musical”—has shared the stage with leading orchestras across the United States in performances that “blow the roof off” and “set the world on fire.” Cherish the Ladies will appear with the West Michigan Symphony, guest conducted by Andrew Koehler, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 15. Sponsored by Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge, the performance will take place at the Frauenthal Center, 425 W. Western Avenue in downtown Muskegon. For tickets, starting at $19 for adults, $10 for students, call 231.727.8001, visit the Frauenthal box office or purchase online at www.westmichigansymphony.org.
Under the leadership of Joanie Madden, 2021 National Heritage Fellowship Award winner and All-Ireland flute and whistle champion, the current musician roster includes accordionist Mirella Murray, fiddler Nollaig Casey, guitarist Mary Coogan, vocalist Kate Purcell, and keyboardist Gabriel Donohue. Five time World Champion David Geaney and Great Britain champions Noel Spillane and Tyler Schwartz will add their magical footwork to the performances.
Selections will include “Fir and Far,” “The Old Maids of Galway,” “Sweet Thames Flow Softly,” “John of the Glen,” “Longing for Home,” “Castle of Dromore,” and “Highway to Kilkenny,” among others.
Recognized as the BBC’s Best Musical Group of the Year and Top North American Celtic Group at the Irish Music Awards, Cherish the Ladies has collaborated with such musicians as Vince Gill, Nanci Griffith, Pete Seeger, The Clancy Brothers, the Chieftains, Don Henley and Arlo Guthrie, among others. Joanie Madden has sold more than 500,000 solo albums and performed on over 200 recordings, including three Grammy-winning albums running the gamut from Pete Seeger and Sinéad O’Connor to the Boston Pops. Andrew Koehler is currently Music Director of the Kalamazoo Philharmonia and professor of music at Kalamazoo College and serves as cover conductor for West Michigan Symphony Music Director Scott Speck.
Free shuttle transport is available from Muskegon Farmer’s Market to the door of the Frauenthal beginning at 6:30pm, and back again after the concert until 10pm. The new Hearthstone Symphony Café will be serving a themed multi-course dinner in the Frau Lounge, featuring Marmalade and Irish Whiskey Corned Beef and butter braised cabbage by advance online reservation only at thehearthstonebistro.com. A post-concert reception will be held in the lower level Frau Lounge, an opportunity for the audience to mingle with conductor and musicians. ###
