Cherish the Ladies brings traditional Irish music to Lied Center Feb. 18

            Traditional Irish music will venture from the rolling hills to the Great Plains when internationally acclaimed Celtic group Cherish the Ladies makes its debut at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Lied Center for Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18.

                  Cherish the Ladies redefined the standard for Irish-American music after its very first performance. The group began as a performance concept and grew into an international Irish traditional music sensation, featuring five virtuosic female musicians along with stunning step dancing. Cherish the Ladies has since gained thousands of fans worldwide in both critics and music lovers.

            Cherish the Ladies has been named Best Musical Group of the Year by the BBC, Top North American Celtic Group at the Irish Music Awards, and Entertainment Group of the Year by the Irish Voice Newspaper. They were also chosen as the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall's International Group of the Year at the Celtic Connections Festival in Scotland and voted Top North American Celtic act by NPR's Celtic music show, "Thistle and Shamrock."

            With its spectacular blend of virtuosi instrumental talents, beautiful vocals, captivating arrangements and incredible step dancing, this powerhouse group combines all facets of Irish traditional culture into an immensely entertaining package. Tickets are $36, $32 and $28, and may be purchased online at www.liedcenter.org, by calling 402-472-4747 or at the Lied Center, 301 N. 12th St.

            This performance is sponsored in part by the Lincoln Association for Traditional Arts.

            Melodee Landis, Lincoln musician and actress, will give a pre-talk prior to the show starting at 6:30 in the Lied's Steinhart Room.

            The Lied Center for Performing Arts is a state-of-the-art performing arts facility. Opened in 1990, it is Nebraska's "Home for the Arts" offering major regional, national and international events designed to attract, entertain and inspire a statewide audience. The Lied Center and its programs are made possible through the generous 2011-12 season support of Christina Hixson and the Lied Foundation Trust, Friends of Lied, Ameritas and Union Bank.

Writer: Matthew Boring