Fans of Celtic Thunder can enjoy one of the group’s concerts this Saturday as they remember the principal singer, George Donaldson, who died unexpectedly this week. Tune in to West Virginia PBS Saturday at 8 p.m. for the Heritage concert which was taped in Poughkeepsie, NY, in front of a live audience in 2010.
Heritage focuses entirely on Celtic Thunder’s Celtic and Irish roots, featuring traditional standards such as “Whiskey in the Jar,” “Black is the Color,” “Skye Boat Song” and “Red, Red Rose” as well as a few beautiful love songs such as, “The Dutchman”, “Noreen” and “Just a Song at Twilight.”
The video performance above by George Donaldson “The Old Man” is from Celtic Thunder’s debut concert The Show in 2008.
Donaldson, 46, died at his home in Glasgow on Wednesday due to a massive heart attack. He was a self-taught musician, accomplished on both guitar and flute, with a lifelong passion for Celtic music inspired by his late father Bernard. Donaldson joined Celtic Thunder in 2007 and was known affectionately as the “steadfast” one. He had the distinction of being the sole Scotsman in the show, as well as the only married family man of the group. He appeared in all nine Celtic Thunder concert specials and on all of the show’s CDs and DVDs released to date, the most recent being last year’s “Mythology.”
Celtic Thunder fans may leave condolence messages for fellow group members and Donaldon’s family here – http://bit.ly/O7zfbk.
Fans of Irish music and dance won’t want to miss the special programs Wednesday, March 12 on West Virginia PBS!
Beginning at 8 p.m., the all-new Heartbeat of Home is a high-octane dance extravaganza that lovingly encompasses an array of multicultural influences, blending the thunder and drama of Irish dance with the sultriness and attitude of Latin American salsa and the glorious rhythms of Africa.
This musical tour de force was created by the producers and director of Riverdance, with original music by Golden Globe-nominated composer Brian Byrne and lyrics by award-winning writer Joseph O’Connor. With a world-class cast of 29 dancers and 10 musicians, the high-energy production creates a dream world of joyous, heart-stopping music and dance.
http://video.wvpublic.org/video/2365190995/
At 10 p.m., Celtic Thunder: Heritage takes the popular Celtic vocal group back to their roots with traditional standards such as “Whiskey in the Jar,” “Black is the Color,” “Skye Boat Song” and “Red, Red Rose” as well as a few beautiful love songs such as, “The Dutchman”, “Noreen” and “Just a Song at Twilight.” Celtic Thunder Fan Favorites “Ireland’s Call” and the new “A Voice in the Choir” are present also. The performances range from solo numbers, to enchanting duets and powerful ensembles. The show is a celebration of Celtic Music and the Celts Heritage, a joy for all the family, performed as ever with Celtic Thunder magic.
9:30 p.m. — Celtic Woman: Home for Christmas — Internationally renowned for alluring stage productions and songs of heartwarming inspiration, Celtic Woman present their new chapter of musical enchantment in Home For Christmas. Vocalists Lisa Lambe, Susan McFadden, Méav Ni Mhaolchatha and Celtic violinist Máiréad Nesbitt perform timeless holiday favorites (“Silent Night,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,” “Joy to the World”) with their signature Celtic twist, under the distinctive musical direction of Emmy®-nominated music producer David Downes. This program also airs on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 1:30 p.m. on WV PBS.
Tuesday, Dec. 5 on WV PBS.2 (where available)
Credit darlaz.com
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Celebrate Christmas wHear the different sounds of Christmas by the captivating songstress Darla Z.
7:00 p.m. — Darla Z’s Christmas ‘round the World — Hear all your favorite Christmas melodies in a new and exciting way, arranged in flavor of a particular country or locale. See and hear Darla Z sing a soulful version of “Silent Night” and hear about the beloved Christmas carol’s impact on the soldiers in WWI. Some other holiday favorites include: “O Holy Night,” “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer” (Country style), “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting),” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Up On The Housetop (21st Century)” and “Jingle Bells.”
Saturday, Dec. 7 on WV PBS
7:00 p.m. — Lawrence Welk Holiday Special: Great Moments and Memories — Nine stars of the Lawrence Welk Musical Family are reunited to host great moments and memories spanning 30 years of Christmas holiday shows. The cast includes the Lawrence Welk Champaign lady, Norma Zimmer, Myron Floren, Jo Ann Castle, Mary Lou Metzger, Bobby Burgess, Ron Anderson, Sandi Griffiths, Ken Delo, and Gail Farrell. All the traditional and favorite Christmas songs, plus performances by the children of the Welk Musical Family.
Credit Celtic Thunder
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Promotional photo of Celtic Thunder on stage for “Celtic Thunder Christmas,” filmed in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. in front of a live audience in 2010.
9:30 p.m. — Celtic Thunder Christmas — This heart-warming Celtic Thunder show features holiday standards such as “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas,” “Let It Snow,” “Winter Wonderland” and “Silent Night” as well as a few specially-written originals, “Going Home For Christmas,” “Christmas Morning Donegal” and “Our First Christmas Together.” Filmed in 2010 in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., in front of a live audience, Irishmen Damian McGinty, Keith Harkin, Paul Byrom, Ryan Kelly and Scotsman George Donaldson of Celtic Thunder bring together their affinity for a great popular song with outstanding live performances, pay homage to cherished holiday favorites. The show is a holiday celebration for all the family performed as ever with Celtic Thunder magic. This program also airs Sunday, Dec. 8 at 1 a.m.
On WV PBS.2
Each December, at the Vatican in Rome, Europe’s biggest manger scene stands in front of its biggest church.
7:00 p.m. — Rick Steves’ European Christmas — After producing a hundred of his travel shows, Rick Steves and his public television crew finally celebrated Christmas in Europe. Rick and his gang brought home a vivid and intimate look at how seven diverse cultures celebrate Christmas. From England to Norway, Burgundy to Bavaria, and Rome to the top of the Swiss Alps, this special gets you down on the carpet with wide-eyed children, up in the loft with the finest choirs, and into the kitchen with grandma and all her secrets. You’ll experience traditional European Christmas like never before: from flaming puddings and minced pies in jolly old England to angelic girls’ choirs sporting flickering crowns of candles in Olso: from grandpa reading the Bible high in Switzerland to the pope in a jam-packed St. Peter’s Basilica for midnight Mass. Above all, you’ll be treated to traditional European holiday music –unfamiliar to most American ears — performed by families and choirs in their homes, chapels and cathedrals.
