Irenka *

About: TICKETS ARE $10 IN ADVANCE, & $15 AT THE DOOR "Irenka has a voice that takes you to a timeless space in a modern time." Nashville Offbeat "her Christmas music is like curling up with hot [Belgian] chocolate in front of a warm fire on a cold winter's night" Cameron Huff *** with a SPECIAL GUEST from Spain *** Come celebrate the Holiday cheers with this European transplant who will take you on a journey of celebration of Christmas around the world. As Irenka explains herself : “Christmas is an international Holiday that brings people together around the world. Different cultures have many variations when it comes to the Christmas dinner, gift giving traditions, and music, but in the end, the spirit of togetherness and celebration is the same. It’s about rejoicing with those who are closest to us. I wanted to create a show that demonstrates that, bridges the cultures, and brings us all closer together, we are one.” Accompanied by a trio of veteran Nashville musicians, her Christmas concert alternates seamlessly between all four languages, between well-known internationally recognizable classics such as “O Christmas Tree” in French (originally a German carol), “O Holy Night” in English (originally a French carol), and distinctly foreign carols such as “Mi Burrito Sabanero”, an upbeat Venezuelan tune about traveling with your little donkey to Bethlehem. In true family-friendly Christmas spirit, the singer encourages her multi-cultural crowds to sing along on “Feliz Navidad” and join in on her unique rendition of “Silent Night” showcasing each verse in a different language. This year’s edition will even feature a special guest from Spain! Irenka was born in the middle of three cultures growing up in the French speaking part of Belgium with a Czech mother and an American father. (She often laughs that the hardest question for her to answer is “where are you from?”). Drawing from her many travels, having celebrated Christmas in five different countries, Irenka punctuates her concert with stories, commentary, translations, tradition explanations, and of course European-style humor. If you ever wanted to experience what Christmas is like in other parts of the world, this concert is for you. ________________________ More about Irenka * Not many people would have the courage to chase their dreams by taking a one-way flight from Europe to the USA... yet that is what Irenka did. Since landing in Nashville, Tennessee, she has performed in cities such as New York, Dallas, and Los Angeles as well as internationally in Toronto, Brussels, and Prague. Irenka has also received media coverage from ICI Radio Canada, France 2 Television, The Pittsburgh City Paper, and on “Great Day Live!” in Louisville, Kentucky. Her EP, Wait 4 It…, showcases a variety of Irenka’s music writing styles in French and English. Wait 4 It… can be purchased digitally through her website, www.blackswanworld.com, and can be purchased in physical form at her live shows. A vocalist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, Irenka is as multi-cultural away from music as she is with her art. She is fluent in four languages – English, French, Spanish, and Czech – and can also speak some Dutch. Visiting new countries and meeting new people is one of her biggest passions. In her downtime, Irenka can be found salsa dancing or binge watching TED talk videos. She is also an advocate for mental health awareness, anti-bullying, and environmental issues and solutions. For more information on Irenka, and to download three free songs, visit www.blackswanworld.com.