My favorite performers just happen to be to very good friends. Sara McCabe and Suzanne Gallic make up the musical group Croi na mBan, which means a Woman's Heart in Irish. These two women have the most amazing voices, and when they sing in harmony, well, it's enough to make the fairies sigh.
I met Sara about 10 years ago, when she and I were in a play together. Her talent on the stage was astounding, she just glowed. Suzanne and Sara have been friends for years.
When Sara was moving in to directing her first musical in 2004, naturally she chose one of her best and most talented friends to join her. That was for I Am Ireland, a tribute in song to the amazing women that bind Ireland together. Sara not only directed, but created the intricate musical arrangements that made the show so magical.
Since then they have performed throughout the tri-state area, at the Celtic Fling at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Fair Grounds, at the Jersey Shore Irish Festival in Sea Girt, and other locations. They also performed together in another show directed and arranged by Sara, Ceol na Mara (Songs of the Sea).
They songs they sing are in Irish and English, many of them are sung in the haunting sean-nós (old style), which has no or minimal accompaniment. It is just beautiful to listen to. One of my favorite songs that they sing is Come By The Hills - it just sounds like a beautiful day in Ireland.
Sara and Suzanne, along with Sara's husband, Jim McCabe, will be performing at the Watchung Arts Center on April 19, 2008 at 8 p.m. If you enjoy Irish music - or just if you enjoy music, I hope you can join us. You can get a taste of their singing at their MySpace page.
After all, their dlúthchara (close friends), and this is Celtic Chairde - which is all about friendship!
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