Flutist and Irish Dancers Join Kim Robertson for ICHC Celtic Christmas on Dec. 5

Posted: Nov. 22, 2009

Flutist and Irish Dancers Join Harpist Kim Robertson for ICHC Celtic Christmas on Dec. 5

Harpist Kim Robertson will bring the warmth and joy of a traditional Celtic Christmas to the Irish Cultural and Heritage Center, 2133 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m. Joining Robertson in this celebration of traditional music and dance will be dancers from the McMenamin Irish Dance Academy as well as University School of Milwaukee teacher Brett Lipshutz, who plays flute and tin whistle. The Caledonian Scottish Dancers, guitarist Randy Gosa, and vocalist Stephanie Halfmann complete the musical lineup.

Based in Shorewood with a second location in Brown Deer, McMenamin students range in age from 4 to 21. The champion dancers have performed around the world and in front of numerous dignitaries.

Lipshutz, a French teacher in the University School’s Upper School, has been involved in Milwaukee’s Irish music community for several years. He and Gosa currently perform as a duo and Lipshutz is involved in a number of other music projects. Both Lipshutz and Gosa regularly perform at Milwaukee Irish Fest and both men teach at the Irish Fest School of Music and Irish Fest Summer School.

The Wisconsin-born Robertson is internationally recognized as one of the top players of the ancient instrument, which is regarded as a symbol of Ireland and is imprinted on the country’s euro. Classically trained on piano and orchestral harp, Robertson discovered the Celtic harp in the 1970s and has become one of the instrument’s leading proponents and innovators. She has more than 20 album projects, 11 volumes of published harp arrangements, and instructional videos and international workshops to her credit.

According to folk and world music magazine Dirty Linen, “Her style of playing gives her instrument at once a deeper, and yet also more delicate sound...each string seems to have an individual voice underneath her fingers.”

Adding to the evening festivities are the Caledonian dancers who have toured as far as Japan and Stephanie Halfmann, a respected local vocalist who will add her beautiful voice to the concert.

The Hallamor or “great hall” of the historic ICHC building will be decorated for the holiday concert.

Tickets for the show are $15 in advance and $17 the day of concert with discounts for students and groups. To order online, visit www.ichc.net. Tickets may also be ordered by calling (414) 345-8800.