Christmas cheer in Westport with Festive Harmony

AFTER 12 sell-out concerts, internationally renowned vocalist Anne Marie Gibbons is back for the highly anticipated Festive Harmony concerts at Westport Town Hall Theatre on Friday and Saturday, December 13 and 14.

She will be joined by tenor Hugh Francis, the Cresham Academy of Irish Dancing, Carrowholly N.S. Choir, St. Joseph’s N.S. Choir, Derrywash, the Music West Big Band, pianist Richard Lewis and some very special guests to present a varied programme of music, dance, popular songs and musical theatre favourites, carols and Christmas cheer.

Mayo-born and based Anne Marie Gibbons has performed all over the world in some of the most renowned theatres and concert halls. Such international credits include performances in Covent Garden London, Paris, Madrid, Adelaide, Lausanne, New York and Sydney. In Ireland she has appeared with orchestras including the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, the Irish Baroque Orchestra and the Irish Chamber Orchestra.

Born in Australia, tenor Hugh Francis sings in many of the world’s major opera houses and concert halls across four continents, including Amsterdam, London, Los Angeles, New York, Singapore, Tel Aviv and Sydney. Following a five-year absence, Hugh is back on the stage in Westport.

No night would be complete without pianist Richard Lewis who performs an eclectic mix of song selections that can range from the cheesy to the downright inspired! Not only is Lewis’ patter quick-fire and knowledgeable, his piano playing is sublime, with selections that can range from The Lion King and Queen right through to Beethoven.

The Cresham Academy of Irish Dancing has a strong presence around Louisburgh, Westport and Castlebar, catering for children and adults at all levels. Directors Bernadine and Louise Cresham are vastly experienced and their names are synonymous with success in the world of Irish Dancing. The Cresham Academy is renowned not only for producing award-winning dancers but also for teaching and nurturing every dancer to the best of their individual ability.

The Carrowholly N.S. Choir, led by their musical director Marese Cannon, will perform on Friday (13th) and St. Joseph’s N.S., Derrywash, Castlebar, will perform on Satruday (14th), led by their musical director Elaine Fitzgerald. Joining them on the Saturday (only) will be the Music West Big Band, the west of Ireland's newest big band. Based at Music West in Castlebar, they play a varied repertoire of big band jazz, swing, latin and rhythm and blues from Glenn Miller, through Count Basie, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald to Van Morrison, Caro Emerald and Kirsty McColl plus, of course, all of your Christmas big band favourites.

The above artists will be joined each night by the following very special guests, all of whom have an affiliation with Westport and the surrounding area(s): Rebecca Ball, Orla Campbell, Hannah Carty, Peterina Grealis, Aimee Murnane, Kara Gibbons Murray, Lucy O’Brien and Caitlin O’Malley.

For more information/booking details, contact (098) 28459 or log on to https://www.westporttheatre.com/.