Thrasher Opera House is pleased to welcome Dervish, an Irish/Celtic band from County Sligo, Ireland, for a Wisconsin-exclusive performance in Green Lake on Friday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m.

From the Great Wall of China to packed auditoriums in the Holy Land and more recently being the first Irish band to perform at the greatest music festival in the world, "Rock in Rio" on front of an estimate audience of 240,000 people, Dervish have come a long way in 24 years. Formed in 1989 by a group of five musicians, Liam Kelly, Shane Mitchell, Martin Mc Ginley, Brian Mc Donagh and Michael Holmes, Dervish came together to record an album of local music that was released as The Boys of Sligo. Inspired by the project, they decided to develop this informal gathering into a working band under the name Dervish, which was chosen as it related to any group of spiritual people who become enraptured by music.

It's now nearly 24 years since first coming together and with four of the original members still at the helm, Dervish is more in demand than ever. Their colourful career has taken them to every corner of the globe and has seen them share centre stage with such names as James Brown, The Buena Vista Social Club, Oasis, Sting, REM, Beck and many more. Dervish is one of the most respected acts of modern time in World/Roots music worldwide. Their musical genius and innovative approach will ensure that they will always be a leading force in Irish music bringing the world the joy and excitement and fun that is traditional Irish music. Please visit their Biography page at www.dervish.ie for more information about their impressive history of music and entertaining for nearly a quarter of a century.

Tickets for Dervish are only $25 and available at the Thrasher office, Knowledge Emporium, Green Lake Bank (Green Lake); Pick N’ Save, Ripon Drug (Ripon); Twister (Princeton) or by calling (920) 294-4279. Tickets available at www.thrasheroperahouse.com.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts. Accommodations provided by the Heidel House Resort and Spa.