WGBH Presents 'A Christmas Celtic Sojourn with Brian O'Donovan,' 12/19

A Celtic holiday tradition returns to Providence! Celebrating its 10th anniversary of sold-out concerts across New England, A CHRISTMAS CELTIC SOJOURN with BRIAN O'DONOVAN performs at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 7:30P. Brian O'Donovan and the cast of A Christmas Celtic Sojourn bring together a mix of traditional Celtic music, Irish dancing and storytelling, welcoming the audience as if they were in their own homes, singing and telling stories of times past.

Tickets are on sale NOW at the PPAC Box Office, online at www.ppacri.org and by phone at (401) 421-ARTS (2787). Tickets are $65 - $45; all ticket prices include a $3 per ticket restoration charge and are subject to change without notice.

The PPAC Box Office is located at 220 Weybosset Street in downtown Providence. Box Office Hours are Monday through Friday, 10A to 5P; Saturday, 10A to 2P; and through curtain time(s) on performance days.

Discounted admission is available for groups of 20 or more; for more information and to order, please contact Group Sales Representative Paul Hiatt at phiatt@ppacri.org or (401) 574-3162.

National broadcasts of the Christmas edition of Brian O'Donovan's radio program A Celtic Sojourn since 1986 have proven extraordinarily popular, since Celtic Pagan and Christian traditions share a very strong link to the music of this season. The live version of the program, A Christmas Celtic Sojourn, was first launched in 2003. For its tenth anniversary celebration, O'Donovan has assembled some of the best musicians, singers, and dancers from around the Celtic world, and beyond.

The music roster includes Irish supergroup Solas, led by multi-instrumentalist/composer and Christmas Celtic's music directorSeamus Egan; harpist Catriona McKay and fiddler Chris Stout; cellist Natalie Haas and fiddler Winifred Horan; and bassistChico Huff and percussionist Ben Wittman.

Vocalists include Alyth McCormack from Scotland (who has performed with The Chieftans), three-piece harmony groupNavan, Lindsay O'Donovan, Mick McAuley, and Eamonn McElholm.

Traditional Irish step dancer, Providence native, and current Barrington, Rhode Island resident Kevin Doyle will join the Christmas Celtic cast on the PPAC stage for this one night only. Also from the regular touring line-up of The Chieftains, brothers Jon and Nathan Pilatske, and Cara Butler will bring their unique approach to Irish dance, and the Walpole-based Harney Academy of Dance will also perform.

A CHRISTMAS CELTIC SOJOURN with BRIAN O'DONOVANis artistically directed by Paula Plum.