The Barra MacNeils bring An East Coast Christmas to River Run

November 26, 2014

Guelph, ON November 26, 2014 – Those looking for a truly Canadian dose of holiday spirit need search no further than Guelph’s own River Run Centre. One of the most beloved concerts on the seasonal circuit, the Barra MacNeils: An East Coast Christmas makes its way to the performing arts venue on Friday, December 12. Presented as part of the Richardson GMP Music Series, this Main Stage show starts at 8 p.m.

For 27 years now the Barra MacNeils have been Canada’s ambassadors for Celtic music. Native of Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, this family-based group has been sharing the Cape Breton sound with the world and winning over new fans for over a quarter of a century. The East Coast Christmas event will feature traditional seasonal songs, mixed with entertaining tales and new musical twists; stamped with the lush harmonies and intricate instrumental stylings for which the Barra MacNeils are known. Fans can look forward to hearing classic favourites including: Oh Holy Night, Ave Maria, A Christmas in Killarney and Auld Lang Syne as well as some comedy, seasonal stories, music, singing, and dance.

The Barra MacNeils are comprised of talented multi-instrumentalists: Kyle MacNeil (vocals, guitar, violin, mandolin), Lucy MacNeil (vocals, bodhran, Celtic harp, fiddle, stepdancing), Sheumas MacNeil (keyboards, piano, bodhran, fiddle, bouzouki, vocals), Stewart MacNeil (vocals, accordion, tin whistle, flute, bouzouki, guitar, stepdancing), Boyd MacNeil (mandolin, fiddle, guitar, banjo, percussion, stepdancing) and Jamie Gatti (bass). They have 17 recordings to their credit, including their most recent CD release, O Christmas Tree. In addition to taking home the Juno Award for Roots/Traditional Group of the Year in 1998, they have also won multiple East Coast Music Awards, including Group of the Year, Pop Recording of the Year and Album of the Year.

The MacNeils are widely regarded as one of the greatest live concert acts in the Celtic world. They frequently sell out concert halls during their regular tours of Canada and the United States. A Barra MacNeils live concert experience offers a rich variety: multiple lead vocalists, beautiful sibling harmonies, top drawer instrumental prowess on a wide variety of acoustic, stringed, percussion and wind instruments blended with dancing, storytelling, Gaelic songs and a journey through an ancient culture. These musical siblings offer family entertainment at its highest level.

Tickets for this performance start at $44 for adults, and $42 for students and seniors. $5 eyeGO tickets are available for high school students with valid ID. $20 uGO tickets are available to university and college students with valid ID. Tickets are available at the River Run Box Office at 519-763-3000, or online at riverrun.ca/the-barra-macneils

FOR INFORMATION

Ella Pauls | Manager of Cultural Development
Culture & Tourism| Community & Social Services
City of Guelph

519-822-1260 extension 2589
[email protected]

Scroll to Top