MacKenzie and Lads play March 16

Laura MacKenzie and the Lads, a traditional trio with a richly Irish core, along with world-class Irish dancers will perform on Friday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m. at The Phipps Center for the Arts.

MacKenzie commands a vast repertoire of traditional music. She performs tunes and songs from Ireland, Scotland, England, Central France, and Northern Spain on an array of wind-powered instruments, including flutes, whistles, concertina, Scottish smallpipes, Border pipes, French pipes, and voice.

MacKenzie has been lauded as a “Celtic music wizard” by the Star Tribune and a “High priestess of Celtic music” by Minnesota Public Radio.

She has been recognized as a Master Folk Artist by the Minnesota State Arts Board. Over the years, she has received an abundance of honors and awards, including being selected for the original Cherish the Ladies series, featuring noted women in Irish music in America, in addition to multiple performing arts awards and fellowships. Most recently, she was awarded a Bush Foundation Artists Fellowship in traditional and ethnic performing arts.

From appearing on “A Prairie Home Companion” to fieldwork in ethnomusicology to national touring with Lorie Line and her Pop Chamber Orchestra, MacKenzie has enjoyed a vast and varied experience.

Among other notables, MacKenzie has performed in extended productions with Frank McCourt, the Pulitzer prize-winning author of “Angela’s Ashes;” T.R. Knight, of “Grey’s Anatomy,” on stage at the Guthrie Theater; and with Katie McMahon, of “Riverdance.” She also performs and records with Dáithí Sproule of Altan.

MacKenzie will be supported by Gary Rue on guitar and vocals as well as percussionist Michael Bissonnette.

Tickets are $23 for adults and $16 for students of all ages. Reservations may be made by contacting The Phipps ticket office at (715) 386-8409 or online at http://www.ThePhipps.org.

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