Cincinnati’s arts scene continues to thrive, attracting extraordinary artists and performances that open up our hearts and minds to new cultures and experiences. Grammy® Nominated Celtic Woman is no exception, as they return to Cincinnati for the third year in a row to share their new Ancient Land Tour at the Taft Theater. Amidst a backdrop of flowing sheers and a stage filled with instruments of all kinds, a spectacular light show introduced the rainbow-hued tones of Ireland and their delightfully talented ensemble of singers, musicians and dancers. This show continues the centuries-old Irish tradition of storytelling through song and dance, delivering an evening of pure enchantment that transports and inspires an audience of all ages.
From the very first hauntingly beautiful note, gorgeous costumes and kick of the heels showcasing the infectious energy of the fiddle and its wielder, Tara McNeill, you will be transported to another world, allowing you to experience a little slice of Ireland without leaving your hometown. Dialing up the dance and the sheer joy associated with performing together, this particular show has a slightly more playful tone than years past. Just like a favorite story, it is filled with moments that imprint themselves on your memory while leaving you breathless at the unbelievable talent. The husky tones of Éabha McMahon weave a tale of lost love. Newcomer Megan Walsh delivers an outstanding performance of one of our favorite songs, “Fields of Gold,” despite what has to be an incredibly intimidating scenario to join this field of spectacular women. We could not be more excited that she is part of this beautiful legacy.
The Irish dancing is spectacular throughout the evening, and the three athletically inclined gentlemen obviously delight in their work. The performances of “Danny Boy” and “Shenandoah” are authentically Irish and heart-wrenchingly beautiful. As an added bonus, I heard one of my absolute favorite songs, “Orinoco Flow,” performed by all but led by the magical vocal pipes of Mairéad Carlin, whom my girls are convinced is actually a Disney Princess that escaped from the set of “Frozen!” Last but not least, the musicality displayed by every person on stage as they joined together to share a wide range of instruments, including traditional Celtic ones such as the bodhran, tin whistle, bouzouki and Uileann pipes, was phenomenal. In an evening filled with delight, the energy that infused the already exuberant crowd was palpable and a reflection of the achievement of this global musical sensation that has been sharing the magic of Ireland for the last fourteen years.
Celtic Woman is something that everyone should experience at least once — or maybe even 5 times or more! With numerous 2019 dates left on their Ancient Land Tour, you should absolutely take the time for this joyous and beautiful performance. The combination of their angelic voices and instrumental virtuosity, accompanied by such a talented ensemble, will have you looking “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” (performed with acoustically sweet simplicity by the power duo of Mairéad and Megan) as nostalgia rears its head and you write your own story of your favorite moments with Celtic Woman. Who knows…we may see you there. Sláinte!
Christi Geary is the proud mom of two girls (8 and 12), best friend and wife of her husband Brian, and an Associate Director at the Procter & Gamble Company focused on shopper innovation and insights. She enjoys and participates in art of every kind, feeds an insatiable curiosity for learning every day through books and connecting with others, pursues different forms of exercise when she can find the time to balance out her foodie predilection (highly recommend DanceFix and Pilates Reformer), and delights in spending time with family and friends. Writing reviews for the arts is an absolute privilege and one she cherishes every day, with the hope that sharing her perspective will inspire others to embrace the arts.