OGDENSBURG – The Christmas season will be celebrated Irish-style when the professional touring company “A Taste of Ireland” brings “A Celtic Christmas” to George Hall Auditorium on Dec. 15.

The special holiday north country performance is part of the Ogdensburg Command Performances series.

The 7 p.m. staging will bring together the best musicians and Irish dancers from Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom for an artistic celebration that director and producer Brent Pace says captures the very essence of the show’s title – “A Celtic Christmas.”

“In our Christmas show we’ve curated a spectacular line-up, featuring unparalleled talents from across the globe,” Mr. Pace said in a recent interview. “From world-class musicians to the most skilled Irish dancers, our stage is graced by the very best in the industry.”

But beyond the technical brilliance, what sets this show apart from other Celtic music and dance performances is the heart-warming spirit of the Christmas season infused in every note played and every step danced, according to the director.

“It's a production that embodies the essence of the holidays. A feel-good extravaganza filled with laughter, Christmas cheer, and the pure joy of the festive season,” Mr. Pace said.

Following a series of shows in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, ‘A Celtic Christmas” is now embarking on a coast-to-coast tour of the United States. The family-friendly performance follows the story of two star-crossed lovers as their lives twirl beneath the mistletoe with the help of a troupe of award-winning Irish musicians and dancers.

The show has been described by reviewers in Australia as a powerful mix of traditional Irish tunes, heartfelt ballads and favorite carols, while the stage settings, costuming and dance routines have been called “nothing short of spectacular.”

Tickets for the 7 p.m. Dec. 15 performance of “A Celtic Christmas” at George Hall Auditorium in Ogdensburg can be purchased by calling 315-393-2625 or by emailing ocp@ogdensburgk12.org.

More information can also be obtained by visiting www.ILoveTheatre.org or www.Facebook.com/OgdensburgCommandPerformances.

The latest Ogdensburg show comes on the heals of a recent announcement from the New York State Council of the Arts that Ogdensburg Command Performances was been awarded a $30,000 grant to further the organization’s mission of bringing live professional theater to St. Lawrence County and Northern New York at an affordable price.

Governor Kathy Hochul and NYSCA Executive Director Mara Manus both said such funding, totaling $240 million statewide this year, is instrumental in supporting the arts.

Likewise, NYSCA Chair Katherine Nicholls said Ogdensburg Command Performances has a proven track record when it comes to promoting individual and community growth through access to artistic expression in the region.

“On behalf of the entire Council, I congratulate Ogdensburg Command Performances on this grant award,” Ms. Nicholls said in a release. “Their creative work provides the benefits of the arts to both their community and all of New York. Arts organizations are essential, leading our tourism economy and fueling sectors such as hospitality, transit, and Main Streets across our state.”

Ogdensburg Command Performances Administrator Sally F. Palao echoed those sentiments and pointed to her organization’s decades-long involvement in the region.

“Recognition by the state in the form of this grant, and other grants over the years, has enabled us to play a major role in bringing culture and creative vibrance to this region for over 60 decades,” Mrs. Palao said. “It’s that state-level support, coupled with our generous patrons and the tireless efforts of our large number of volunteers, that has helped us continue this important mission.”