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520 Etc.: Cherish the Ladies

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A Grammy winner, a member of Who's Who Among American Music Teachers and an OBIE Award winner. These are some pretty heavy-hitting credentials held by members of the reknowned Irish music ensemble, Cherish The Ladies - making a special holiday appearance at the Bijou Theatre on Dec. 6th at 8pm.

This enchanting all-woman group displays "an astonishing array of virtuosity", according to the Washington Post. Each member contributes many different elements to their performances. Their varied talents and superior musicianship has made them one of the most sought-after Irish music groups in the world!

The ensemble formed following a concert series that was intended to feature the up-and-coming stars on the Irish-American music scene. The chemistry was so strong between the participants that they decided to make music together on a regular basis. Combining the already legendary talents of the individual players & singers with the elements of traditional Irish dance and a bit of storytelling, Cherish The Ladies (whose name actually comes from an old Irish dance) has created a performance experience unlike any other.

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Although awareness for this incredible ensemble is still growing in this part of the country, Cherish The Ladies is in no way unfamiliar with entertaining discerning crowds. The group has a list of accolades the length of your arm including appearances on CBS This Morning, Good Morning America and National Public Radio's Thistle & Shamrock. They have performed at the White House and even represented Ireland at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

Their recordings have been "cherished" by music critics all over the globe. On Christmas Night earned them fans at The Village Voice, The New York Times and The Washington Post. One of their non-seasonal albums, Woman of the House, made it to the Billboard Top 10 on the World Music chart. They have played with such noted performers as James Taylor, Joan Baez and The Chieftans, as well as with the Boston Pops Symphony - a performance that garnered them a 1999 Grammy nomination. (Whew!)

It's almost impossible to overstate how important these women are, not only to the Irish music tradition, but also to live music in general. The skill they exhibit is astonishing and inspiring. Don't miss out on the chance to catch these ladies at their holiday best this week!

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