Christmas carols with a twist-the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra will be entertaining concert-goers this holiday season with flare and excitement as Cherish the Ladies, the Grammy nominated Irish-American Celtic group, joins them for “A Celtic Christmas.” The evening of Celtic magic will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, in the Grand Junction High School Auditorium.

Cherish the Ladies is no stranger to the Grand Valley, having performed in the Grand Valley twice within the last 10 years, once with the GJSO. They are a lively, award-winning group and have performed all over the world, enchanting audiences with their immensely humorous and entertaining concerts.

Originally a one-time concert concept, the group began as a concert series that featured up-and-coming talent in Irish music. Twenty-four years later, the group has become an Irish music sensation, performing all over North and South America, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

They have recorded 11 highly acclaimed albums. On its release, the album “On Christmas Night” was chosen as one of the top Christmas albums of the year by several newspapers, including the New York Times and Washington Post.

Cherish the Ladies have shared the stage with many familiar acts, including James Taylor, Emmylou Harris and the Clancy Brothers. They are well-known for their instrumental skills, mesmerizing vocals and stunning step dance. In 1999, Cherish the Ladies was nominated for a Grammy following their collaboration with the Boston Pops Symphony on “Celtic Album.”

Queen City Jazz Band

Get ready for a rip-roaring good time when the Symphony presents the legendary Queen City Jazz Band in the Avalon Theatre on Saturday, Jan. 9. The fun begins at 7:30 p.m. as one of the country's most recognized jazz bands takes the stage to entertain with the great sounds of New Orleans-style Dixieland jazz. One of the evening's highlights will include local musicians joining the group on stage to improvise jazz tunes.

The Queen City Jazz Band originated in Denver more than 50 years ago when a local jazz disc jockey opened up his home for jam sessions. Eventually, the group booked its first gig at Mon Vue Village in Denver, where they played for 14 years.

The Queen City Jazz Band enjoys playing jazz classics, and then giving them their own personal twist, while still respecting the style of the original. It has been one of their trademarks for the last 50 years.

Tickets are on sale for both events now at www.gjsymphony.org, at the symphony office in the Alpine Bank Building, or by calling 243-6787.

Jennifer Schultz is marketing director for the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra.