Photo courtesy of Magical Strings
CELTIC CHRISTMAS. Celtic family ensemble Magical Strings brings their 31st annual Celtic Yuletide Concerts to Urban Grace Church Dec. 18.
For many in the Puget Sound region, it just is not the holidays without the Celtic Yuletide concerts by family act Magical Strings.
Performing throughout the Puget Sound each December for the past 30 years (and in Tacoma for more than 20), the Boulding family of classical Celtic musicians has become a coveted tradition for Tacoma families, as well as their own family.
“What we hear from our audience is that it would not be Christmas without coming to our yuletide performance,” said Pam Boulding, who co-founded Magical Strings with her husband Phillip Boulding in 1978. “We’re beginning our fourth decade of yuletide concerts, and we’re having as much fun as we’ve ever had.”
This year, the Bouldings’ five children and four of their six grandchildren, as well as one of four daughter-in-laws, will be taking the stage in Tacoma, showing off classic stringed instruments such as harp, cello, violin and fiddle, as well as hammered dulcimers, whistles, organ and traditional dancing.
Special guests also include brother and sister performing duo Mark and Colleen Raney and the fleet of Raney Irish Dancers, Irish flautist Hanz Araki, lyrical juggler Thomas Arthur and Irish pipe player Tom Creegan.
The two-and-a-half hour performance will include traditional Celtic yuletide favorites, a sprinkling of holiday tunes, as well as caroling and participation from audience members and new original arrangements by Pam and Phillip inspired by their most recent trip to Ireland last September.
Magical Strings performs with special guests at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at Urban Grace Church, 902 Market St. Admission is $26 for reserved seats; general seating is $18 for adults and $12 for children (add $2 if purchasing at the door). Tickets available online at http://www.magicalstrings.com or order by phone at (800) 838-3006.
Commenting rules
Tacoma Weekly is happy to provide a forum for commenting and discussion. Please respect and abide by the house rules:
Keep it clean, keep it civil, keep it truthful, stay on topic, be responsible, share your knowledge, and please suggest removal of comments that violate these standards.
Read full commenting rules