By Cullen Lea
Intern
Celtic multi-instrumentalist and songstress Jennifer Licko will soon return to her native state of North Carolina to present a Christmas concert featuring traditional Irish instruments like the bodhran. The Jennifer Licko Band and Dylan Foley will present “A Celtic Christmas” Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Wrightsville United Methodist Church.
Wrightsville UMC music director Julia Walker Jewell said the concert is the church’s Christmas gift to the community.
“People can visit us for a stress-free evening and listen to fantastic musicians,” Jewell said.
Licko grew up in Swansboro, one hour north of Wilmington. When she began learning Scottish Highland dancing at an early age, the sounds set to the movements piqued her interest.
“Since there’s a large amount of Scottish heritage in North Carolina, the music felt a part of me,” Licko said. “After that introduction, I had to know more.”
Licko spent years living in Scotland and Ireland where she became immersed in the Celtic culture. She even learned to speak Scots-Gaelic. Her experiences led to an authentic Celtic sound that can be hard to find outside of the Scottish Highlands.
Foley, a three-time all Ireland fiddle champion, and Bob Noble, venerable music producer, will join Licko onstage.
“People start hearing Christmas songs in department stores in October and it can get tiring,” Jewell said. “It’s nice to hear these songs in their original forms by such talented artists.”
This will be the fourth time The Jennifer Licko band has played “A Celtic Christmas” in the Wilmington region and Jewell is elated to have her perform.
“She received rave reviews last year so it’s special to have her at our church,” Jewell said.
Licko said the concert will be a family-oriented experience that will get people tapping their feet and clapping their hands. She likes to get the audience involved, making sure they play along and enjoy themselves.
Licko is excited to return to the Port City, where she believes there is a focus on celebrating the arts not found in many places.
“The Wilmington area is a fantastic venue with great diversity and culture,” she said. “Artists feel at home here and it will be great to see returning faces.”
The concert is free and open to the public.
