By Alice Chamber /Freelance Writer
The North Central Arts Foundation for Arts & Education and the Cultural Kaleidoscope are proud to present Irish Kaleidoscope, to Shirley School on Monday, January 28 for a day of fun and learning. The Irish Kaleidoscope will also be at West Side School, Greers Ferry, on Wednesday, January 30 for a day with students there. ‘Cead Mile Failte’ – A hundred thousand welcomes to the Emerald Isle where music, history and heritage are delivered in a colorful, exciting and fresh medium by Dearbhail Finnegan and Robin Slater from Ireland.
In this daylong event the students will get to experience Ireland’s native dance, music, and the colorful costumes of Ireland. The music of the Irish harp and traditional drum, the bodhran, and other instruments will also be part of the Irish experience.
The presenters of this program are Dearbhail Finnegan and Robin Slater from County Meath, Ireland. They are a husband and wife team and professionals in the arts. As an Irish harper, Dearbhail Finnegan has won many competitions and performed in Germany, England, Scotland, France and the United States. In 1999, she had the honor of playing for President Clinton at the White House for the 50th anniversary of NATO. She has many solo albums to her credit and is the featured harpist at Silver Dollar City, Branson, Missouri.
Robin Slater was trained at the Royal Ballet School in London, England and has performed in many London West End theater productions and television shows. He developed an interest in traditional Irish music and instruments after he met his wife and has played in major festivals, concerts and events in Ireland.
The North Central Arts Foundation for Arts & Education is located in Fairfield Bay and is dedicated to bringing culture and arts education to the public and the surrounding schools.