Lynchburg VA center for arts, culture, and community building
Join Champion Scottish fiddler Seán Heely and a cast of nationally-acclaimed Celtic performers on a magical journey through Scotland and Ireland during the holidays. The fiddle and bagpipes will sweep you away to Christmastime and Winter Solstice celebrations along with percussive dance and Highland dance that will lift your holiday spirits and warm your heart. Kilts and tartan abound as the show travels through ancient Gaelic carols and songs, tucked in perfectly with lively Irish tunes and familiar Christmas melodies with a Celtic twist. Heely is a DC-based US National Scottish Fiddle Champion, award-winning Irish fiddler, Scots Gaelic Singer, and harpist.
Champion fiddler and singer Seán Heely is one of the most creatively versatile and captivating young artists of his generation. He is a U.S National Scottish Fiddle Champion as well as an award-winning Irish Fiddler, singer, and harpist in the folk and Gaelic traditions of Scotland and Ireland.
Irish fiddle legend Liz Carroll calls Seán: “One powerhouse of a fiddler”.
Seán holds a degree from University of South Carolina in Classical Violin Performance and was a 2019 Artist in Residence at Strathmore Music Center in Maryland. He has performed in Scotland, Ireland, South America, Germany and at prestigious venues in the U.S such as the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C, Hylton Performing Arts center, and Strathmore Music Center.
Seán has shared the stage with traditional music icons such as Bonnie Rideout, Liz Carroll, Natalie Haas, Cathy Jordan, Eamon O’Leary, Zan McLeod, Maeve Gilchrist. Along with his accolades in Traditional Music, Seán made his Classical solo debut with the Virginia Symphony in 2012 performing Mozart’s 5th Violin Concerto.
In April 2023, Seán was honored to win the prestigious Dan R. MacDonald Memorial Prize from the Clan Donald Trust from the Gaelic Performing Arts.
Seán has been a featured soloist with the Virginia International Tattoo in Norfolk, VA and the Washington Tattoo.
Sean has recorded three full length internationally acclaimed albums: the latest of which (“Dramagical”) has been featured on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal, RTÉ Raidio na Gaeltachta in Ireland, and NPR’s Thistle and Shamrock. Currently based in Washington DC, Seán performs locally and abroad with the Seán Heely Celtic Band, The Glencoe Lads and Jennifer Cutting’s Ocean Orchestra.
He is a musical ambassador for the British Embassy Scottish Affairs Office and the St. Andrew’s Society of Washington. He also frequently travels abroad as a solo artist and maintains a private teaching studio in Falls Church, VA.
Academy Member Presale begins Monday, August 5, 2024. Remaining tickets will be released to the public on Friday, August 9, 2024. All sales begin at 10 AM EST.
Academy Members Level 5+ Pre-Sale: Monday, August 5, 2024
Academy Members Level 4+ Pre-Sale: Tuesday, August 6, 2024
Academy Members Level 3+ Pre-Sale: Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Academy Members Level 1+ Pre-Sale: Thursday, August 8, 2024
General Public On-Sale: Friday, August 9, 2024
Box Seat: $67*
Pit Seat: $57*
Premium Seat: $48*
Standard Seat: $39*
Value Seat: $29*
Obstructed Seat: $20*
*Plus taxes and fees
For more information or to purchase tickets to this performance, contact our Bank of the James Ticketing Office at (434) 846-8499.
All patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket for this event unless otherwise stated. All ages are welcome.
Videography and audio recording during the performances are prohibited. Photography of the set on stage is allowed pre-show, post-show, and during intermission. But we do ask that you show our designers and visiting performers some love by crediting them (and by tagging us) in your social media posts.
The Academy Center of the Arts offers a diverse selection of entertainment. Not all productions may appeal to or be appropriate for every guest or for all ages. Ticket buyers should take responsibility for making informed decisions regarding their purchases. We recommend visiting the official show website of each show you are coming to see at the Academy. If you ever have questions about the content or appropriateness of a show, please contact us at boxoffice@academycenter.org.
Unless otherwise noted, our lobby doors open 60 minutes prior to show time and house doors open 30 minutes prior to show time for seating.
Parking is available on-site and throughout downtown Lynchburg. Our parking map (linked below) shows all of the free public and paid parking available. In addition, street parking is also available on most streets.
Ticketing purchases are non-refundable. By purchasing a ticket to an event at The Academy Center of the Arts, you are agreeing to our ticketing policy. View our full ticketing policy.
Want to volunteer and see this show for free? Contact Mele Thompson, mthompson@academycenter.org, for more information.