Celtic Spring

www.celticspringband.com

MIM:  A burst of energy, riveting dancing, driving music, youthful exuberance, unparalleled talent – all in one family.  Celtic Spring is composed of six siblings who play the fiddle and step dance, backed by their mom on the keyboard and their dad on percussion.  Their music hails from Ireland, Scotland, and Cape Breton in Nova Scotia, Canada.  While firmly grounded in the traditions of their ancestors, Celtic Spring’s style is all its own.

The six wood family siblings have spent their lives on stage.  They each began learning the fiddle and Irish step dancing at the age of four years old, and they can hardly remember a time when they were not performing.  The siblings are also classically trained violinists, which has brought a certain beauty and clarity to their music.  A defining element of Celtic Spring is the members’ dual expertise in music and dance.  the Wood siblings are champion Irish dancers, and they have been influenced by French Canadian and Cape Breton step-dancing styles.

Celtic Spring was named Grand Champion of the World at the World Championships of Performing Arts, in Hollywood, California.  In the summer of 2007, twelve million people watched Celtic Spring on the number-one rated TV show of the season, NBC’s America’s Got Talent.  The band was one of the top five finalists. 

I was delighted to work this sold out show!  What fun!  What energy!  This really was a great family and the music and dancing was fabulous.  They were able to interweave several different sets and styles, delighted the audience with their dancing, and were engaging and fun.  It was obvious the family enjoyed each other, and – aside for the youngest – all loved performing.  We enjoyed watching the youngest boy who was a little unhappy and pulled out of the back for big-wow-factor moments. 

All-in-all, this was a fun show and exactly the moments I was hoping for when volunteering as an usher.  Well done!

Kuniko Yamamoto: Magical Mask, Mime, and Music of Japan

www.kunikotheater.com

MIM:  Welcome to Kuniko Yamamoto’s Japanese storytelling!  This afternoon, she will share Japanese myths and folktales and bring them to life with masks, mime, music, origami, and even a touch of magic.

A native or Japan, Kuniko Yamamoto started performing professionally in her hometown of Osaka and, in 1985, received national exposure performing in Kansai Telecasting Corporation.  She traveled to the United States to study with Tony Montanaro the following year, later touring with the Leland Faulkner Light Theatre to present ancient Japanese tales with shadows and magic.  Since creating her solo show, she has toured across the United States, appearing at Epcot/Disney, the Kennedy Center, and the National Storytelling Festival.

This was not technically a music concert.  A Father’s Day matinee, this show was geared towards families and Kuniko was a master showman at drawing in the audience and delighting children.  She is a storyteller above all else, and her musical skill was only a part of the overall show. 

I loved her origami portion of the show.  She cleverly modified the folds and paper to create images for her story – one piece of paper became a boat or bird or hat. 

I also enjoyed the many families – grandparents, fathers, and happy children – that were at the show today!  It really was a special Father’s Day show.  I wished Elayna was a little older so she could have enjoy this as well!