January 28, 2009

• Enjoy Irish music, dance before show

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Alys Stephens Center presents Paddy Moloney and The Chieftains, in their 2009 Celtic Connections tour, with special guests Scotland's Alyth McCormack and Nashville's Jeff White and Deanie Richardson, at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, at the Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. S., Birmingham. Enjoy Irish music and dance from the Alabama Celtic Association in the upper lobby one hour before the show. Tickets are $75, $65 and $55; student tickets are $20. This show is part of the Global Rhythm Series. Sponsors are Alabama Power Company, WBHM, Alabama State Council on the Arts, The Birmingham News, University of Alabama at Birmingham and Viva Health. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org for more information.

The Chieftains were formed in 1962 by Paddy Moloney from the ranks of the top folk musicians in Ireland. Since then they have uncovered the wealth of traditional Irish music that has accumulated over the centuries, making the music their own with a style that is as exhilarating as it is definitive. The Chieftains are now recognized for bringing traditional Irish music to the world's attention. Six-time Grammy Award winners and 19-time nominees, they have been honored in their own country by being officially named Ireland's Musical Ambassadors.

With a career that spans 43 years and as many albums, they also have collaborated with many musical legends, including Van Morrison and Sting. The Chieftains never fail to deliver incredible live performances. More celebration than concert, their shows are known for rousing dance lines down the aisles and jam sessions with local musicians. The Chieftains are Paddy Moloney, Seán Keene, Kevin Coneff and Matt Malloy.