It was a high-spirited, multi-layered show on PBS, and I expect “Celtic Crossroads” to be even more exciting tonight when it plays on the Visalia Fox Theatre stage.
The group of more than 20 Irish musicians got their start on the streets of their hometown of Galway, Ireland, in 2005. Their name comes from a time when neighboring communities met unlawfully at the crossroads between towns to socialize and play music.
The show is on tour, bringing traditional Irish music, bluegrass, gypsy and jazz, including pulsating dance. Producer Kevin Crosby says that the cast are all sons and daughters of musicians steeped in the traditions that were once outlawed in their homeland. He says they play with the “wild, raucous relish of freedom in tribute to their relatives and their country.”
The show is at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $20 to $30 at 625-1369, www.foxvisalia.org or at the door.
One Day without Shoes
This Tuesday, the Fox is participating in a nation-wide event to raise awareness about the impact a simple pair of shoes can have on a person’s life. One Day without Shoes is an annual event established by TOMS Shoes where people are asked to go barefoot to understand what many people around the world have to go through, walking miles to get food and clean water, risking disease and infection.
The Fox will show the 2010 TOMS Shoes documentary from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Then people are invited to walk a few blocks to 210, which will feature live music, a photo booth, a shoe drive and vendors. For every pair of TOMS Shoes that is sold, one pair will be donated to a child in need.
The event is free. View more information at www.foxvisalia.org.
Fox film series
The classic films showing on Tuesdays at the Fox have been catching on and the audience has been growing, so they will continue through May 10. Coming in April are three big epics with many megastars of the 50s and 60s.
ª April 12: “Lawrence of Arabia,” starring Peter O’Toole
ª April 19: “Spartacus,” starring Kirk Douglas
ª April 26: “Ben Hur,” starring Charlton Heston
All movies begin at 7 p.m., and tickets are only $5 at the door.
The Mighty Russians
The Tulare County Symphony concludes its 2010-11 season with a program at 7:30 p.m. April 16 featuring some of the most popular works by two Russian composers -Tchaikovsky’s “Violin Concerto” and Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scherherezade.”
Soloists with the symphony have all been very popular this year, and violinist Stefani Collins is sure to continue that tradition. She is only 21 years old but already has what is considered to be the most loved of all violin concertos in her repertoire.
Tickets are $15 to $35 with student prices at $8. Contact the symphony at 732-8600 or go to www.tcsymphony.org.
Good Friday service
Local churches will continue their tradition of hosting a community Good
Friday service at the Fox on April 22. Participants can start at St. Mary’s Church at 11:30 a.m. and walk to the Fox. The service begins at noon.The ecumenical program is sponsored by Catholic Church of Visalia, Crossroads Community Church, First Presbyterian, St. Mary’s Armenian, St. Paul’s Anglican Church and the Visalia Rescue Mission. Everyone is welcome.
Mindy Smith concert
Young singer/songwriter Mindy Smith will perform at 7:30 p.m. April 29. Her first hit, “Come to Jesus,” spent 11 weeks on Billboard’s pop charts. She’s also performed twice on the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” The first time was in 2004 when she appeared with Dolly Parton singing Parton’s classic “Jolene,” which Smith had sung on Parton’s tribute album, “Just Because I’m a Woman.”
Smith’s music is described as folk, country, Americana, bluegrass, pop, rock and even alternative.
“Mindy Smith is playing Sacramento on Thursday and L.A. on Saturday, so it only made sense to submit an offer for her for Friday night,” said Ryan Stillwater, Fox talent buyer. “I’ve been somewhat of a fan of hers for awhile, so I am really excited to bring her to the Fox.”
Opening for Smith is Visalia native Jerrod Turner of the up-and-coming band The Gospel Whiskey Runners. The band opened for The Weepies at the Fox in October, and Stillwater got many good reviews about the two-person band.
Turner will be promoting the release of his band’s first album.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 on day of show. Get them at the Fox or at www.foxvisalia.org.