Magical Strings 26th Annual Celtic Yuletide Concerts Bring Joy, Music to Tacoma and Seattle December 17-18

It's one of the most joyous traditions of the Northwest holiday season -- the Magical Strings 26th Annual Celtic Yuletide Concert! Each celebratory event is an unforgettable and festive evening of music, dance, song and storytelling. Magical Strings and its glorious Celtic Yuletide Concerts return to Tacoma on Friday, December 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church (902 Market Street), and to Seattle on Saturday, December 18 at 7 p.m. at the Seattle First Covenant Church (at the corner of Bellevue and Pike on Capitol Hill). This popular gala event unites the Boulding and Raney families three generations of musicians and dancers in a beautiful and magical holiday concert for the whole family.

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) December 7, 2004 -- Dont miss one of the most joyous traditions of the Northwest holiday season -- the Magical Strings 26th Annual Celtic Yuletide Concert! Each celebratory event is an unforgettable and festive evening of music, dance, song and storytelling. This year's glorious Celtic Yuletide Concerts return to Tacoma on Friday, December 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church (902 Market Street), and to Seattle on Saturday, December 18 at 7 p.m. at the Seattle First Covenant Church (at the corner of Bellevue and Pike on Capitol Hill). This popular gala event unites the Boulding and Raney families three generations of musicians and dancers in a beautiful and magical holiday concert for the whole family.

An Evening of Ancient Instruments, Carols and Processionals:
With Celtic harps, hammered dulcimers, whistles, concertina, strings and harp-like instruments from around the world, the Bouldings will be joined by the lightning feet of the Raney Irish Dancers, the lyrical juggling of their own Brenin and songs of the season with Mike Saunders on guitar and Cape Breton fiddle. Colleen Raney with her beautiful soprano voice will sing a carol in Gaelic, Tom Creegan will play haunting melodies on the Irish pipes, and Jarrod Kaplan will shake the rafters with his dynamic percussion.

Brittany, the Bouldings youngest, will return from graduate studies at the Colburn School of Performing Arts in L.A., and will wow the audience with her violin solo and lively Irish fiddling. Geoffrey and Brenin, the two eldest, will join in with their fiddle and cello while twins Morgan and Marshall add their concert whistle, harmonium, wire-strung harp and endless merriment. The Ancient Bard" will provide a glimpse of another world through story and verse, and invite the audience to don a costume, process through the hall, and join in the caroling near the close of the evening.

About Magical Strings:
Popular worldwide since 1980, Magical Strings has performed to critical acclaim throughout the United States, Canada, Ireland and Japan. The group has toured and recorded with Dan Fogelberg, appeared on Garrison Keillors Prairie Home Companion," and played two sold-out tours of Japan. They have recorded 13 albums to date, including their latest critically acclaimed release, Where Dragons Dance.

Tacoma Yuletide Concert tickets:
Reserved seating $20, general seating, $16 adults and $10 children (12 and under), ($2 more at the door).
Tickets are available at 253-857-3716 or on-line at www.magicalstrings.com. Tickets sell out in advance, so early purchase is advised.

Seattle Yuletide Concert tickets:
Reserved seating $25, general seating, $18 adults and $12 children (12 and under), ($2 more at the door). Tickets are available at (253)-857-3716, online at www.magicalstrings.com, at TicketMaster (206-292-ARTS), from Elliott Bay Book Co. in Pioneer Square, Galway Traders in Ballard, the Seattle Waldorf School (206-524-5320), and Dusty Strings in Fremont. Tickets often sell out quickly, so advance purchase is advised.

Press Contact Info:
Philip and Pam Boulding are currently available for in-studio appearances, performances and interviews. For further information, photos, complimentary press admission to the show, or for a review copy of Where Dragons Dance, please call (253) 857-3716 or (253) 857-6402.

2004 Yuletide Concert Schedule: (as of December 6, 2004)
Please visit www.magicalstrings.com for more information

Olympia:
Date: Saturday, December 11th, 7:30PM
Venue: Saint John's Episcopal Church (114 20th Ave SE).
Tickets: (253) 857-3716. Online Tickets available via www.MagicalStrings.com. Also available at: Traditions Fair Trade, 360-3705-2819; Rainy Day Records, 360-357-4755; and Olympia Waldorf School, 360-493-0906.

Kent:
Date: Sunday, December 12th, 3:00PM
Venue: Kent-Meridian HS Performing Arts Center (10020 SE 256th Street).
Tickets: (253) 856-5050 or via www.Magicalstrings.com.

Tacoma:
Date: Friday, December 17th, 7:30PM
Venue: First Baptist Church (902 Market Street)
Tickets: (253) 857-3716, Online Tickets via www.Magicalstrings.com. Tickets also for sale at The Harp and Shamrock at 253-752-5012.

Seattle:
Date: Saturday, December 18th, 7:00PM
Venue: First Covenant Church (at the corner of Bellevue and Pike on Capitol Hill)
Tickets: (253) 857-3716 or online tickets via www.Magicalstrings.com. Tickets also at Elliott Bay Book Co. in Pioneer Square; Galway Traders in Ballard; Seattle Waldorf School (206-524-5320), Gaelsong in Ravenna, and Dusty Strings in Fremont.

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