Top trad acts for Solstice’s first concert of the year

The first performance to be staged at Navan's Solstice in 2011 is a traditional music concert on Saturday, 15th January. Featuring Caoimhín †Raghallaigh on fiddle, the vocals of Fiona Kelleher, Caoimhín Vallely on piano, Eleanor Healy on double bass, 'a (game) of Two Halves' is a traditional music concert with a contemporary twist. The Two Halves will encompass traditional and contemporary sounds and will feature new compositions and collaborations developed especially for the tour, with the aim of creating a magical listening space to mesmerise, soothe and renew audiences. Audiences can look forward to a special appearance from Meath musician Mícheál †Raghallaigh on concertina. This will be †Raghallaigh's third appearance at Solstice, following performances at the Feile na Mi opening in 2009 and the Music Network Tour 'Horsehair, Wind and Reeds' in 2008. Concertina maestro †Raghallaigh is no stranger to the world stage. As both a soloist and a member of traditional group 'Providence', he has performed in the USA, as well as throughout Europe. He has also been part of two céilí bands who won the much coveted 'three-in-a-row' senior All-Ireland titles, namely 'The Táin' Céilí Band and more recently, The 'Naomh Pádraig' Céilí Band. Following the unprecedented success of his debut album 'The Nervous Man' in 2001, he surpasses all expectations with this second helping, 'Inside Out'. They give us a glimpse of a musician totally at one with his craft. Caoimhín †Raghallaigh is best known for his work with traditional musicians, and is gaining an increasing profile as an innovative solo artist with his imaginative compositions and thrilling performance style. Fiona Kelleher's acclaimed vocal purity and distinctive interpretation of contemporary and traditional songs has received considerable praise, while her potential as a composer was recently recognised by a Deis award towards a collaboration with choreographer Mary Nunan. Caoimhín Vallely and Eleanor Healy are vastly experienced musicians whose collective sound worlds draw on traditional and contemporary Irish and international music forms. Caoimhín is one of the driving forces behind Buille, with brother Niall and recent member Dónal Lunny, and is part of Karan Casey's band. Eleanor performs regularly with Declan Synnott's Small Town Talk, and has recorded with everybody from Christy Moore to Paul Brady. (a game of) Two Halves is funded by the Arts Council Touring and Dissemination Fund. Tickets are €15 full price and €12 concession rate and are available from Solstice Box Office on 046 909 2300 or online at www.solsticeartscentre.ie