Fiddling sensation plays beyond borders

The Whitefish Theatre Company's world music series concludes with Irish fiddle phenomenon Eileen Ivers and her band Immigrant Soul on April 6 at 8 p.m. at the O'Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.

Ivers will change the way you think about the violin. She has been called a "sensation" by Billboard magazine and "the Jimi Hendrix of the violin" by The New York Times.

Fiddler Ivers' biography has established her as the pre-eminent exponent of the Irish fiddle in the world today. As the daughter of Irish immigrants, Ivers grew up in the Bronx, New York.

Being deeply rooted in Irish traditional music led her to represent the United States in Ireland's music competitions winning nine All-Ireland fiddle championships, a 10th on tenor banjo and over 30 other championship medals, making her one of the most awarded persons ever to compete in these prestigious competitions.

Since then, Ivers' accomplishments, tours and affiliations are varied and impressive. She has performed with the London Symphony, Boston Pops, the National Symphony, and the Atlanta Symphony and headlined the Kennedy Center with Martin Hamlisch conducting. She has played with the Chieftains, Cherish the Ladies, Paula Cole, Patty Smith and Riverdance.

Not limiting herself to the Irish tradition, Ivers sought out other traditional music styles, embracing the rhythms of African, Latin and American roots music. Ivers and Immigrant Soul encompass a mix of African and Latin percussion and bass, Irish instrumentalists and American soulful vocals.

"Ivers bridges the gap between her celtic roots and styles ranging from jazz, salsa and flamenco to rock funk and even electronica … a sensation."

- Billboard Magazine

Tickets are $24 with reserved seating. Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and two hours before a performance. To purchase tickets call 862-5371.

For more information on this concert and other upcoming events, go to www.whitefishtheatreco.org