Irish vocalists to visit Finney

St. Patrick's Day is still about a month off, but this weekend, folks will have the chance to swoon to Irish music Saturday with Cherish the Ladies, an all-women's American Irish ensemble.

Praised in magazines from Dirty Linen to newspapers including the Los Angeles Times, Cherish the Ladies travel this country and beyond offering their melodies and harmonies to raving critics and audiences. The Ladies have toured with Joan Baez and James Taylor among others, and have appeared on both National Public Radio and PBS in the States as well as European broadcasts.

Cherish the Ladies, was formed over a decade ago, comprised of members of various musical and regional backgrounds; from jazz to jigs, New Jersey to County Tipperary. Joanie Madden, who serves as the group's principal singer, has performed on over 30 albums including the group's self-titled debut and her own solo album, A Whistle on the Wind.

Madden took on a career in music early in life with help from her parents. She is a champion whistler and acclaimed concert flutist in addition many accomplishments, including being the youngest inductee in the Irish-American Musicians Hall of Fame.

The remaining members of Cherish the Ladies have equally impressive resumes. Mary Coogan and Donna Long are both highly sought-after accompanists, Mary Rafferty is both a flute and accordion virtuoso, Siobhan Egan is a multi-instrument performer and attributed composer, and Aoife Clancy is an accomplished solo performer.

Cherish the Ladies is the third major choral group to come to Oberlin in recent weeks, and Saturday's concert provides the college with the first real folk concert of the season, as opposed to last weekend's more classic-contemporary-oriented Dale Warland Singers. Cherish the Ladies have been dubbed "a mighty example of the richness of America's music traditions" - this weekend, that tradition visits Oberlin.

Cherish the Ladies will sing Saturday in Finney Chapel at 8 p.m. Tickets are $4 OCID, $8 others.

Irish eyes are smiling: The six members of Cherish the Ladies, with varied musical and regional backgrounds, perform Valentine's Day at Finney Chapel. (photo courtesy of the Student Union)