• Tweet

Celtic Woman, the Irish ensemble started by the former musical director of the hit show “Riverdance,” has announced a North American tour that will last well into 2013.

The tour will kick off with a show at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Conn. on December 1 and is scheduled to run through June 11, 2013, when the group will perform at the Orpheum Theater in Omaha. In between, the singing group will visit virtually every part of the continent, including stops in Atlanta, Toronto, Milwaukee, Des Moines, Charlotte, Oklahoma City and Vancouver, among many others.

“Due to overwhelming demand from last year’s sold out Christmas Symphony tour and the acclaimed North American tour, Celtic Woman returns to the stage with captivating performances you won’t want to miss,” reads a statement on the group’s website. “Check back for tour dates and news on their highly anticipated 2012 Christmas Symphony and 2013 North American tours.”

The group was formed in 2004 by Sharon Browne and David Downes. The latter is the former music director of “Riverdance” and the group has been described as “‘Riverdance’ for the voice.’” The lineup has occasionally changed over the years, and currently features four singers and a fiddler.

Before the North American tour kicks off, the group will play three shows in South Africa. The first two of these will be held at the Big Top Arena, in Carnival City, Johannesburg on September 28-29. The singers will then perform at the Grand Arena in Grand West, Cape Town on October 2.

Since they were formed, Celtic Woman has released seven studio albums, with the most recent being last year’s Celtic Woman: Believe. A re-release of the album earlier this year also included a DVD of a live performance by the group at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta.