Irish Folk Stars The High Kings Perform at the Garde Arts Center March 2

New London, CT – In a unique collaboration between two leading southeastern Connecticut cultural institutions, the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center (The Kate) in Old Saybrook and the Garde Arts Center co-present The High Kings on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 8 pm at the historic Garde Theater, 325 State Street, New London.
 
The High Kings, contemporary heirs of Ireland’s folk heritage, are returning to the region as part their “Decade World Tour” after multiple sold-out performances at The Kate. The partnership with the Garde Arts Center allows for even more fans to enjoy The High Kings while emphasizing the power of collaboration in the arts.
 
Celebrating ten years of sell-out shows and topping Irish and World Music recording charts, The High Kings is comprised of four Irish singers, performers and songwriters – Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy, Martin Furey and Darren Holden.  They have received accolades from the likes of Christy Moore and Ronnie Drew, the lead singer of The Dubliners.  They have toured the world with their contemporary approach to classic and original Irish folk songs.  Their eighth album, “Decade – Best of the High Kings,” released in December 2017 launched the world tour that is coming to the Garde.
 
“When Kate Executive Director Brett Elliott connected with me a year ago about jointly presenting The High Kings, I said yes before he went into any details,” stated Steve Sigel, Garde executive director. “We both saw it was a perfect model of cooperation and mutual support between our arts organizations and audiences.   We expect our staffs to share resources and maximize what each of us brings to the table in every aspect of this presentation.”
 
“This is a new cooperative experience that will benefit both organizations, but more importantly, will benefit our audiences,” said Elliott.  “The common denominator here is helping each other better serve our shared communities through the arts.  We hope this will lead to more joint projects.”
 
Tickets are available online at www.gardearts.org, at the Garde box office at 325 State Street, or by phone at (860) 444-7373 ext. 1, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and two hours prior to curtain the day of the performance.

About the Garde Arts Center
The Garde, Southeastern Connecticut’s non-profit home for the performing arts and cinema,  presents at its restored historic (1926) 1425-seat movie palace - the Garde Theatre -   and the 130-seat Oasis Room, a full spectrum pf touring musicals, opera, orchestras, music, dance, special events, and state-of-the art 4K surround sound digital cinema. The Garde hosts performances by regional arts organizations and provides educational programs for more than 12,000 young people. Under the leadership of Steve Sigel, executive director since 1988, the Garde has become a major catalyst for the cultural and economic revitalization of greater New London.

About the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center
The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center is a non-profit performing arts organization located in an historic theatre/town hall on Main Street in Old Saybrook. Originally opened in 1911 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Center has been renovated with public funds from the Town of Old Saybrook and donations raised by the Trustees of the Center. It includes a 250-seat theatre and a small museum honoring Katharine Hepburn, Old Saybrook’s most celebrated resident. As befits an organization born of such a public/private partnership, programming is eclectic, offering something for all ages and income levels on the Connecticut shore and in the lower river valley.