Celebrate a Celtic Christmas with ever-popular Out of Alba Saturday night at Art Space.
"We've got a hot concert for a cold night," laughed Margaret Coyle, band member. "This Christmas concert has become a bit of a tradition for us at Art Space."
Out of Alba is a quintet that has been delighting audiences, both young and old, for the past 17 years. The members include Irishman Alan O'Reilly, Canadian Jim Sayle, Welsh-American Carolyn Kelly, and two Scots, Margaret and Jim Coyle. Together their humour and energy make for a memorable performance.
"The show is going to be awesome," Coyle said. "It will be a collection of traditional Celtic music combined with original pieces some of the band members have written and there's certainly a seasonal flavour to the concert. There will be a variety of tempos and emotions and a good mix of ballads, reels and jigs that we play."
The group has several CDs out including their latest, Nithi Sessions, with the title track written by Carolyn Kelly, who plays a variety of woodwind instruments. Jim Coyle and Jim Sayle also create original tunes, including instrumental pieces.
"We'll be performing some of the original songs from that CD at the concert," said Coyle. "And of course, we will have some comic relief thanks to Alan O'Reilly who's our front man. Oh, and I'll be there as well!"
Out of Alba have been together for about 18 years and while some bands get anxious before a show, that's certainly not the case with this group.
"It's always a lot of fun to play Art Space," said Coyle. "We always look forward to this concert and we really enjoy it - hopefully as much as the audience will."
Tickets are $18 at Books & Co., 1685 Third Avenue. Art Space is above Books & Co. Show starts at 7:30 p.m.
