ME's Portland Ovations Presents Canadian Fiddler Natalie MacMaster Tonight

Portland Ovations brings holiday cheer to Merrill Auditorium with its presentation of virtuoso Cape Breton fiddler Natalie MacMaster: "Christmas in Cape Breton" tonight, December 4th at 7:30pm.

Natalie MacMaster has established herself as an electrifying performer across the world with a career spanning over three-decades and amassing many awards including multiple gold albums, two Grammy nominations and one win (for her contribution to Yo-Yo Ma's Songs of Joy and Peace), a Juno Award, eight Canadian Country Music Awards and many more accolades. A versatile and exciting musician on both the folk and Celtic music scenes, Natalie MacMaster brings a holiday concert, "Christmas in Cape Breton" to Portland, taking the audience on a musical sleigh ride through Nova Scotia by way of both traditional and contemporary Celtic melodies and Christmas carols. MacMaster brings boundless energy to her live performances with foot-tapping rave-ups, heart-rending ballads and world-class step dancing. The Los Angles Times describes it best saying, "MacMaster's a ball of fire, performing jigs and reels with unstoppable, foot-tapping energy and ballads with irresistible, keening passion."

Southern Maine's Wescustago Youth Chorale made up of singers ranging from grades 3-12 will join Natalie MacMaster on-stage to perform during a three-song medley as part of this joyous holiday celebration.

Portland Ovations also invites patrons to join them in a holiday sock drive to benefit Preble Street Resource Center. Ticket holders just have to bring a new pair or package of socks to the performance and they will be entered to win the opportunity to meet Natalie MacMaster and receive her latest CD. Performance sponsor LL Bean celebrating its 100th anniversary has already kick-started the sock drive by donating 100 pairs of socks to the cause.

Ovations Offstage offers a pre-performance lecture, "The Culture and Music of Cape Breton" at 6:30 pm in the Rehearsal Hall of Merrill Auditorium. The primary roots of Cape Breton culture can be found in the Highlands of Scotland. Local fiddler and writer, Ed Pearlman along with local dancer, Laura Scott will talk about and demonstrate the similarities and differences between music and dance of Scotland, and that of Cape Breton and Natalie MacMaster.

Tickets for Natalie MacMaster, "Christmas in Cape Breton," range from $32 to $45 for Ovations' Members and $35 to $50 for the general public. LL Bean generously sponsors the Natalie MacMaster, "Christmas in Cape Breton" performance. To purchase tickets visit www.portlandovations.org, contact PortTIX at 207-842-0800 or stop by the box office window at Merrill Auditorium.