Great news for all Irish traditional music lovers. The Chieftains, an iconic Irish band, are embarking on an impressive tour this year and are kicking things off with a show-stopping performance at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas on Feb. 22, 2018.
Anybody who may find themselves in Nevada next week, prepare for an unforgettable night celebrating the very best of Irish music and dance.

The Chieftains
After forming the original Chieftains lineup in 1962, founder and leader Paddy Maloney created the instantly recognizable sound that continues to live on today.
His experience in the music industry is truly unmatched and he and the other talented musicians of the chieftans are renowned for reinventing traditional Irish music on an international scale.
Celebrating its 55th anniversary, the group’s captivating blend of folk and contemporary music continues to capture a broad audience spanning all ages.
Performing at the world’s top venues such as Carnegie Hall, this six-time GRAMMY®-winning band pushes genre boundaries with acclaimed artists on vocals, guitar, flute, fiddle, bodhrán, tin whistle and uilleann pipes.
The band’s highly anticipated concert will include more than instrumental pieces. The show is packed with performances by acclaimed singers, musicians and dancers from around the globe.
The show will also feature high-energy step dancing by world-renowned Canadian dancers Jon and Nathan Pilatzke, as well as Irish step dancing champion Cara Butler, who has performed on national TV shows including “The Tonight Show” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.”
Scottish singer Alyth McCormack, who has performed across the globe at leading venues like the Kennedy Center, will also perform haunting and heartwarming Irish melodies. The Chieftains will even welcome Las Vegas performers on stage to croon Irish tunes.
For a little taste of how The Chieftains bring a stage to life, check out this YouTube video....

The band will also give a multi-media retrospective on highlights from its storied career, including video of a Chieftains’ tin whistle performed on the International Space Station.
“They seem ageless, and so does their Irish music.”
~ The Boston Globe
After 55 years of making some of the most beautiful music in the world, The Chieftains' music remains as fresh and relevant as when the group first began.
Introducing Irish Folk Music Group, RUNA:
Additionally, RUNA is stopping by the intimate Myron’s Cabaret Jazz space inside The Smith Center for two nights of high-energy Irish folk music on March 15 – 16, 2018.
RUNA has been enchanting audiences by pushing the boundaries of Irish folk music into the Americana and roots music genres since its inception in 2008. The group offers a fresh perspective on traditional music while simultaneously preserving the classic Irish culture from the band member’s signature roots.

Irish Folk Group - RUNA
Quickly gaining recognition as one of Irish music’s new super-groups, RUNA has been enchanting audiences by pushing the boundaries of Irish folk music into the Americana and roots music genres since its formation in 2008.
Check out their wonderful sound here ....

Interweaving the haunting melodies and exuberant tunes of Ireland and Scotland with the lush harmonies and intoxicating rhythms of jazz, bluegrass, flamenco and blues, the group offers a thrilling and redefining take on traditional music.
Receiving enthusiastic acclaim for the recent release of its fifth album, RUNA consists of vocalist and step-dancer Shannon Lambert-Ryan of Philadelphia, Dublin-born guitarist Fionán de Barra, Cheryl Prashker of Canada on percussion, Dave Curley of Galway, Ireland on mandolin, vocals, bodhrán and step dancing, and Maggie White of Kentucky on the fiddle. (I always like to hear of links between Ireland and Kentucky 🙂 🙂 🙂 )
About The Smith Center For The Performing Arts:
The hallmark of downtown Las Vegas’ 61-acre urban development known as Symphony Park, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts is a public-private partnership that opened in March 2012.

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Las Vegas
Heralded as the city’s Heart of the Arts®, The Smith Center is an architectural triumph and long-awaited cultural achievement that educates and entertains the citizens of Southern Nevada.
The $470 million world-class performing arts center offers a blend of performances by resident companies, first-run touring attractions, lectures and internationally-acclaimed performers in music, theater and dance.
The five-acre campus features four performance spaces including the 2,050-seat Reynolds Hall, the 244-seat Myron’s Cabaret Jazz club, the 220-seat Troesh Studio Theater and the 1.7-acre Donald W. Reynolds Symphony Park for outdoor concerts.
Additionally, the campus is home to the Discovery Children’s Museum that opened in March 2013. For more information, please visit The Smith Center for the Performing Arts.
Thank You:
A big thank you to The Chieftains, RUNA, and the good folks at Kirvin Doak Communications for alerting me to these wonderful celebrations of Irish music, and for giving me permission to share these photos and videos with you today.
Anyway I hope these concerts will bring a little bit of Irish culture and joy to Las Vegas over the coming weeks.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Irish American Mom
If you enjoyed this guest post, here are some other installments you might enjoy ....
Why Are Irish Americans So Captivated By Ireland
Top Ten Reasons Why Toursists Love Ireland
Sheila
I wish I was in Las Vegas - sounds wonderful.
Irish American Mom
I agree Sheila. This sounds like a great evening of entertainment.
All the best,
Mairéad
Mary
Sounds like a lot of fun! I’m taking my 80 year old mother to see Emmet Cahill next week. Another Irishman that has a beautiful voice! Have a lovely day,
Mary
Irish American Mom
Hi Mary - I hope you and your mom have a lovely time at Emmet Cahill's concert. An evening of Irish music is good for the soul.
All the best,
Mairéad
irishnannie
These videos were wonderful! Best wishes for great success!
Thank you and God bless the Chieftains, RUNA, and Kirvin Doak Communications, and you, Mairead!
Irish American Mom
Hi Irishnannie - St. Patrick's Day is the perfect time to check out these videos. Such wonderful talents.
All the best,
Mairéad