Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul Celebrate Album Release With National Tour

Tour to include seven dates as part of American Fleadh Festival

Featuring a Celtic music infused with a global sound, Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul announce their 2003 spring/summer tour in support of their self-titled release on KOCH Records. The tour will include 7 dates as part of the American Fleadh Festival.

Nine-time All-Ireland champion Eileen Ivers has established herself as the pre-eminent exponent of the Irish fiddle in the world today. The violin virtuoso who has an amazing array of accomplishments including headline tours, recording credits on more than 80 contemporary and traditional albums, numerous movie scores, and affiliations with the London Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony at The Kennedy Center, Boston Pops, the musical star of Riverdance, The Chieftains, Paula Cole, Patti Smith, Hall and Oates, and Cherish the Ladies,

In 1999, Ivers formed Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul to present her signature sound, which encompasses Irish instrumentalists, soulful American vocals and a mix of African and Latin percussion and bass. Their heart-pumping, show-stopping live performances continuously receive accolades from audiences of all ages and rave reviews worldwide.

As part of their 2003 tour, Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul will perform seven dates for the American Fleadh Festival. These dates showcase the best of contemporary Celtic music. Also appearing on the bill is Black 47, Hothouse Flowers and Saw Doctors.

Here's what the critics have said about Eileen Ivers’ dynamic live performances:

"The Eileen Ivers band [& Immigrant Soul] electrified a familiar repertory, merging the Celtic and African diasporas...she made her instrument sound like Jimi Hendrix's guitar."

— Neil Strauss, The New York Times

"(Ivers) launched into one of her amazing accelerando takeoffs that leaves the earth behind…She has charisma and technique to burn, but she isn't playing into a mirror? it is all about tradition and renewal … the audience went wild."

— Richard Dyer, The Boston Globe
 

"The music that had the capacity audience leaping to its feet and clapping in unison was...Ivers’ incredible fiddling."

— Joseph McLellan, The Washington Post
 

Kissers on Tour

The Kissers are on tour! Be sure to check the website for pictures daily from the road.

Also, the show in New York on July 1 (see below) will be broadcast live on the internet. Check Paddy Reilly's website (http://www.paddyreillys.com/) for details.

Upcoming Shows:
Get all The Kissers shows on the showdates page
(http://www.thekissers.com/shows.htm).

Tue., Jun. 24 9 pm
Mike 'N' Molly's
http://www.ichampaign.com/directory/business.cfm/id/154516
105 N. Market St., Champaign, IL
(217) 355-1236

Thu., Jun. 26 9 pm
Connors Pub
6331 Ferguson St., Indianapolis, IN
(317) 255-5039

Fri., Jun. 27 10 pm
Art's Billiards and Bar
2617 Vine St., Clifton, OH
(513) 227-4282

Sat., Jun. 28 9:00pm
Hi Fi Club http://www.hificlub.info/
11729 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH
(216) 521-8878

Sun., Jun. 29 Noon
Artvoice Street Festival
Buffalo, NY

Sun., Jun. 29 9 pm
Valentine's http://www.valentinesalbany.com/
17 New Scotland Ave., Albany, NY
(518) 432-6572

Tue., Jul. 1 10 pm
Paddy Reilly's http://www.paddyreillys.com/
519 2nd Ave., New York, NY
(212) 686-1210

**Whiskey Lash All-Stars**
Featuring Ken, Kevin, and Caitlin

Irish American Heritage Festival
July 11, 12, and 13

If you are like thousands of other good folk in the area, you have already made your plans to attend our upcoming festival. In what promises to be one of the most heavily attended festivals in years, the Irish American Heritage Festival is scheduled for the weekend of July 11, 12, and 13. The only Irish Festival held in Chicago will be at 4626 N. Knox Avenue.

This year's fest will be highlighted by the performances of The Young Dubliners and Lúnasa on both Saturday and Sunday. The Young Dubliners are considered one of the best Celtic rock bands in the U.S. and Lúnasa is hailed as the best traditional Irish music band to come out of Ireland in the last decade! On Friday night, local favorites The Tossers will bring a high energy show perfect for the party crowd.

The festival always provides a wide variety of family entertainment and this year will be no exception. The children's area will be open throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday and there promises to be a few different wrinkles to keep the kids entertained. We will be hosting a variety of craft and cultural exhibits from the Center's own Nimble Thimbles and Cultural Committee, as well as several artisans and craftsmen who will provide demonstrations of their crafts. 

Several dance schools will be in attendance, providing us with some of the best in local step dancing and showcasing many of the area's talented youngsters. The Folk Tent is also returning to the schedule with a mix of activities for children as well as hands on displays of Irish music, step dance lessons, and an old-fashioned sing-along.

Rounding out the weekend's incredible line-up is a vast array of the best local musical groups. Scheduled to appear are: Gan Bua, Whitey O'Day, Salthill Mines, North and South, The Heritage Singers, The Larkin Brothers, The Dooley Brothers, St. James Gate, Another Pint, Dyed in the Wool, Fonnmohr, The Chancey Brothers, Baal Tinne, Moore and Broaders, and Finbar Fagan's Band. 

Joining us once again will be our friends the Misericordia Heartbreakers. Their special musical performances touch everyone in the audience and on stage alike. There won't be a moment of down time at this year's fest as we will also have several appearances by our own Shapeshifters and The Irish Heritage Singers, as well as a few bagpipe bands thrown into the mix. 

Tickets to for the festival are available now! $8 Pre-sale if purchased before July 9, $12 at the door, $7 for seniors and children under 12 free. Call the Center for your tickets with Visa or MasterCard - (773) 282-7035.