Presented by the Southwest Celtic Music Association

Dallas TX - Irish group Gráda are bringing their hugely popular Christmas Tour to the USA and will be opening the tour in Dallas on Saturday, December 1st at the Lakewood Theater. For the past few years the Sothwest Celtic Music Asscoiation has  successfully presented Celtic-themed Christmas programs. This year its the Grada's Christmas program, which has sold out venues across Europe for the past 3 seasons. It features Gráda in an all-star band with special guests Matt Mancuzo (on trumpet and fiddle),  percussionist Dave Hingerty (of the Josh Ritter Band) and sensational young dancer Nick Gareiss.

Gráda has an infectious, modern take on Irish music, ably led from the front by
Lord of the Rings lead soloist Alan Doherty, whose jazz infused flute playing is an instantly recognizable part of the group's sound. Doherty, who is himself a well-known Irish comedian, is also the chief MC for the evening - no topic of discussion is off limits! Colin Farrell, who made his name recording with the band Flook, plays fiddle and whistles. Nicola Joyce, from Galway, sings, dances and also plays bodhrán, guitar, whistle and fiddle. Rounding out the group is the "engine room" of Andrew Laking on double bass, and Gerry Paul on guitar. Special mention should be made of dancer Nick Gareiss, who has developed a modern style that utilizes many different dance elements, including Sean Nos (Irish), Appalachian, Jazz, and Clogging. At just 20 years of age, Nick has emerged as one of America's brightest dancing prospects. Drummer Dave Hingerty is something of a celebrity back home in Ireland, where he played with iconic group The Frames before leaving to join the Josh Ritter Band. Matt Mancuzo is an All Ireland fiddle champion from New York. He has emerged as a leading player in his own right, having played alongside the likes of Wynton Marsalis. Gráda made their debut in Dallas at the North Texas Irish Festival and were the hit of the festival

Event Highlights
Irish Christmas in America concert - Doors will open Saturday evening at 6 pm for refreshments, with the concert starting at 8 pm. Gráda promise many special surprises for their Christmas show, including several 'seasonally themed' numbers and plenty of intertaining audience interactions.

Concert Hours, Admission and Location

The Gráda Irish Christmas in America program is Saturday, December 1st at 8:00 pm at the historic Lakewood Theater, 1825 Abrams Parkway, Dallas, TX 75214.

All ticket prices are $25  Advanced tickets are available and may be purchased online at www.scmatx.org or call the SCMA hotline 972-943-4616 Ticket Information is also available from the Lakewood Theater at 214-821-7469.  Free parking is available at locations near the theater. The Program is produced and staffed by volunteers from the Southwest Celtic Music Association and all funds raised from the event will go to support the North Texas Irish Festival in 2008.

About the Southwest Celtic Music Association
The Southwest Celtic Music Association (SCMA) is an all-volunteer organization promoting the study, performance and preservation of traditional Celtic music, dance and culture. Formed in 1983, it is a 501(c) 3 corporation located in Dallas and serves members in a five-state regional area.

The SCMA hosts a website at www.scmatx.org. 

The SCMA will celebrate its 26th sponsorship of the North Texas Irish Festival (www.ntif.org), on February 29, March 1 & 2, 2008 at Fair Park in Dallas. The NTIF is one of the largest Celtic events in the U.S.