Celtic Woman returns to Sarasota

Celtic Woman has released 15 CDs, many of them with accompanying DVDs. They've toured the United States at least five times, depending on how you count, and they've toured Europe several times as well. They've also created several popular specials for PBS that usually get aired during fundraising campaigns.

They've done all that in about 10 years, which means the members of Celtic Woman have been staying very busy for the past decade or so.

They're returning to Sarasota this weekend, for a Friday-night concert at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

The group has had a fluid membership since it was founded in 2004. David Downes, a former music director from the acclaimed Irish-flavored dance show "Riverdance," chose the original members and put together a show combing traditional Irish music with pop songs. There have been 12 members of Celtic Woman in 10 years, and the current lineup includes only one original member. But the lineup we see in Sarasota this week will be essentially the same on that performed here two years ago in a sold-out show.

But the lineup doesn't matter too much. No matter who the actual members are, "Celtic Woman" is more like a show with a cast than a concert by a band. The formula never wavers: Lovely Irish women with gorgeous voices sing lush arrangements of traditional ballads and contemporary easy-listening favorites.

Details: 7:30 p.m. April 24, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Tickets: $79.83. Information: 941-953-3368, vanwezel.org.

-- Marty Clear

This story was originally published April 23, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Celtic Woman returns to Sarasota ."