Dynamic Irish Musical Group Anuna To Make Major U.S. Launch With 'Celtic Origins' Public Television Pledge Drive Special

Dynamic Irish Musical Group Anuna To Make Major U.S. Launch With 'Celtic Origins' Public Television Pledge Drive Special

Anuna Captivates Audiences With Breathtaking Public Television Special, 35-City North American Tour and Major Marketing Campaign

NEW YORK, June 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The Elevation Group, Maryland Public Television and American Public Television are proud to announce a major arrival to the U.S. -- the truly unique musical group, Anuna.

Anuna will mark its U.S. television debut as a featured act in an emotional and spectacular Public Television concert special - "Celtic Origins" - set to air as part of the August/September National Pledge Drive effort. The TV concert features Anuna creator & founder Michael McGlynn and his twin brother John McGlynn along with 14 Anuna singers. The Irish group was joined by 11 world-class musicians during the concert taping at the beautiful, Gothic-styled Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland.

Bridging the gap between classical and popular music, Anuna has an extraordinary sound all its own. The music is pulsating, hair-raising, emotive, mystical and unusual -- part classical, part folk, part world, part Celtic. The group's performance spans over 1,000 years of music history while showcasing a unique and beautiful vocal sound.

The "Celtic Origins" TV special includes music written and composed by Michael McGlynn as well as special arrangements of traditional songs including: "Greensleeves," "Scarborough Fair," "Marble Halls" and "Our Wedding Day." Additionally, the McGlynn brothers perform a very special duet of John Denver's chart-topping hit, "Annie's Song," in tribute to the late American folk singer/songwriter.

"We're expecting that Anuna will take its place along side of Riverdance, Andrea Bocelli, Celtic Woman, the Irish Tenors and many of the other stars that have come to Public Television," stated Kent Geist Senior Director of Community Development WVIZ/PBS - Cleveland. "This will be a program that the entire system can be proud of. It will appeal to our core audiences."

The members of Anuna were first seen on Public Television as the original vocal group featured in Riverdance. Since forming Anuna, the group has seen tremendous chart-topping European success and international acclaim. The Liverpool Guardian writes " ... [the group's] haunting melodies, sung without any musical accompaniment, won rapturous applause and proved beyond doubt that Anuna's repertoire extends beyond Riverdance ... "

Often credited with being the first and original creators of the entire Celtic Soprano genre, they have performed and recorded with an illustrious list of international musical performers including: Sting, Barry Manilow, Elvis Costello, Michael Crawford, The Chieftains, Ashley MacIsaac and Sinead O'Connor.

"We are so excited about this extraordinary music television special. The three nights that we captured in January were unlike any concerts I have experienced before," commented Steven Schupak, Vice President of Content Production at Maryland Public Television. "We feel strongly that this program will become a real asset to Public Television and one that will have life and resonance way beyond its original airing."

"We are delighted to have been part of this wonderful TV program," commented Michael McGlynn. "We are very excited to share our music with the American audience both on television and in concert during our Fall Tour. Anuna looks forward to working closely with Public Television stations across the USA to deliver a successful Pledge Drive special."

As part of the Pledge Drive, a limited edition Anuna Deluxe Concert DVD will be available exclusively through the nation's Public Television stations. This special pledge item will be complimented by a companion CD as well as concert tickets in select cities as part of Anuna's North American tour.

The concert tour, kicking off on October 4, will bring Anuna to more than 35 cities in the U.S. and Canada including New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Boston, San Francisco, Denver, Detroit, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Charlotte, Nashville, Knoxville, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Toronto, Atlanta, Phoenix and others. A full list of concert markets, dates and venues will be announced shortly.

   "Celtic Origins" Marketing Plan   Includes Borders Group, XM Radio, Live Nation And Columbia Artists   Management   

"When we made the decision to work with Anuna and to create "Celtic Origins," we made a very conscious effort to surround the group, the TV program and the U.S. launch with the best marketing plan possible," stated Elevation Group President, Denny Young. "We are thrilled that Borders Group, Live Nation, XM Radio, Columbia Artists Management and so many others have joined American Public Television in their interest in introducing America to what I believe is some of the best music available today."

Borders Group is the exclusive retailer of Anuna's new "Celtic Origins" CD, available in stores July 17. The concert DVD will be available October 16. During a nationwide, in-store marketing campaign, Borders will promote the TV special along with local air dates and times.

"Borders is excited to partner with Anuna and offer our customers the exclusive retail opportunity to obtain Anuna's CD and DVD," said Michael Tam, chief marketing officer for Borders Group. "Through distinctive partnerships, such as this one with Anuna, we are striving to be the headquarters for knowledge and entertainment to our customers."

XM will be the official satellite radio home of Anuna, broadcasting the concert this Fall on two channels: XM's folk music channel, The Village (XM 15) and XM's eclectic, free-form music channel, Fine Tuning (XM 76). Additionally, XM will provide promotional support across several channels for the XM broadcasts, TV special and concert tour dates.

The Anuna tour kicks off October 4. The tour is being booked and co- produced by New York-based CAMI Ventures, a subsidiary of Columbia Artists Management. CAMI Ventures has confirmed tour dates for Anuna in more than 35 cities in the United States and Canada including New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Boston, San Francisco, Denver, Detroit, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Charlotte, Nashville, Knoxville, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Toronto, Atlanta, Phoenix and others. A full list of concert markets, dates and venues will be announced shortly.

"We have a great group of promoters and presenters that believe in Anuna and this music," stated Mark Maluso, President of CAMI Ventures. "Live Nation, the world's largest concert promoter, has the largest number of dates on the tour. Their commitment speaks volumes to what we are creating on the live front. Additionally, we have a great group of independent promoters and performing arts center presenters that will help us establish Anuna as a very viable touring entity."

Live Nation, the nation's largest concert promoter, will be promoting dates in markets including Cleveland, Denver, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Louisville.

"As a promoter and marketer of live entertainment for more than 25 years, I've had the privilege and opportunity to witness a number ground-breaking performances and attractions. Anuna was one of those magical evenings," commented Live Nation Senior Vice President, Barry Gabel. "Anuna is truly an unforgettable live experience, a vocal tour de force that is ready to win over

American audiences. We are pleased to be presenting them in several U.S. cities."

   ARTWORK:   Anuna photos and artwork are available via   http://www.mpt-ptv.org/Anuna/photo_page1.html  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: The Elevation Group

CONTACT: Kristen Foster of KFPR, +1-646-792-2230, kfoster@kfpr.net

Web site: http://www.elevationgrp.com/
http://www.mpt-ptv.org/Anuna/photo_page1.html

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Profile: International Entertainment