West Allis Guitarist Joins Harpist Kim Robertson in ICHC Celtic Christmas Dec. 5

Harpist Kim Robertson will bring the warmth and joy of a traditional Celtic Christmas to the Irish Cultural and Heritage Center, 2133 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m. Joining Robertson in this celebration of traditional music and dance will be West Allis guitarist Randy Gosa and flute and tin whistle player Brett Lipshutz along with champion dancers from the McMenamin Irish Dance Academy, the Caledonian Scottish Dancers and guest vocalist Stephanie Halfmann.

Gosa has been involved in Milwaukee’s Irish music community for several years. He and Lipshsutz currently perform as a duo and Gosa also plays guitar and tenor banjo with the traditional Irish band Ce. Both Gosa and Lipshutz regularly perform at Milwaukee Irish Fest and both men teach at the Irish Fest School of Music and Irish Fest Summer School

The Hallamor or “great hall” of the historic ICHC building will be decorated for the holiday concert.

The Wisconsin-born Robertson is internationally recognized as one of the top players of the ancient instrument, which is regarded as a symbol of Ireland and is imprinted on the country’s euro. Classically trained on piano and orchestral harp, Robertson discovered the Celtic harp in the 1970s and has become one of the instrument’s leading proponents and innovators. She has more than 20 album projects, 11 volumes of published harp arrangements, and instructional videos and international workshops to her credit.

According to folk and world music magazine Dirty Linen, “Her style of playing gives her instrument at once a deeper, and yet also more delicate sound...each string seems to have an individual voice underneath her fingers.”

Adding to the evening festivities, are the McMenamin dancers who have performed all over the world as have the Caledonian dancers who have toured as far as Japan. Stephanie Halfmann is a respected local vocalist who will add her beautiful voice to the concert.

Tickets for the show are $15 in advance and $17 the day of concert with discounts for students and groups. To order online, visit www.ichc.net. Tickets may also be ordered by calling (414) 345-8800