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"The Chieftains are just plain fun - they have a blast on stage, and they make their audience feel good. And whether or not you've got Irish blood in you, when The Chieftains play, then everyone is Irish - at least for a couple of hours." wrote "Desert News".

One of the most reputable groups in Ireland, "The Chieftains" will celebrate an extraordinary milestone in 2002, 40 years of making some of the most beautiful music in the world. After all these years, their music remains as fresh and relevant as when they first began. And their touring schedule keeps them on the road for many months each year, taking their musical magic around the world.

The six-time Grammy award winners group will stage two sweeping concerts for their Hong Kong tour. They will meet local music lovers at 8pm on June 7 (Friday) at the Sha Tin Town Hall Auditorium and June 8 (Saturday) at the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall respectively.

"The Chieftains" is now recognized for bringing traditional Irish music to the world's attention. They have uncovered the wealth of traditional Irish music that has accumulated over the centuries, including the compositions of the legendary harpist Carolan, making the music their own with a style that is as exhilarating as it is definitive. The nature of their playing and their extensive use of improvisation ensure that no two performances are the same. Although their early following was purely a folk audience, the range and variation of their music very quickly captured a much broader public, resulting in their present fame worldwide.

As always, "The Chieftains" bring wonderful guest artists along with them and this tour is no exception. They will be joined by, among others, Canadian fiddler/dancer Richard Wood and talented guitarist, Jeff White. On this tour, longstanding Step-and-Tap dancers Jon and Nathan Pilatzke from Canada, as well as Japanese female singer Misako Sahara and guitarist Kazuya Sahara, who bring yet another dimensions to "The Chieftains" in concert.

The band's 40th anniversary recording has been released in early 2002 which provided a snapshot of The Chieftains' many friends and collaborators, who have included over the years such artists as Sting, the Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, Sinead O'Connor, Marianne Faithfull, Bonnie Raitt, Natalie Merchant, Joni Mitchell, Los Lobos, Linda Ronstadt, Sarah McLachlan, Elvis Costello, Diana Krall, Art Garfunkel, Ricky Lee Jones, Ry Cooder, John Williams and Tom Jones. There can be little doubt that the group's range of music is among the most eclectic and expansive in the world today. Forty years and as many albums; they are really just getting started.

One of the programmes of the "Music Rendezvous - City Hall Concert Hall Series" presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, tickets priced from $100 to $400 are now available at all URBTIX outlets and on line at http://www.urbtix.gov.hk. Half price concessions will be granted to senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients (Limited student and CSSA tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis). A 10% discount is also available for Friends of LCSD performing venues. There will also be a 10% discount for every purchase of 4 to 9 tickets, 15% for 10 to 19 tickets and 20% for 20 tickets or more.

In addition, box seats and lounge package is available for sale for the performance. Interested parties of the above packages are advised to check the details at 2268 7233.

Programme enquiries can be made on 2268 7321 or website www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp. Ticketing enquiries and reservation can be made on 2734 9009 while credit card telephone booking on 2111 5999.

Besides, a pre-concert lecture-demonstration talk by members of "The Chieftains" will be held at 7.30pm June 6 (Thursday) at Concert Rehearsal Room 2, backstage of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. The talk will be conducted in English. Free admission vouchers will be available from May 6 onwards at the Enquiry Counters of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Hong Kong City Hall and Sha Tin Town Hall.

End/ Monday, May 6, 2002

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