One of the most engaging and successful ensembles in the history of Celtic music, Cherish The Ladies have shared timeless Irish traditions with audiences worldwide for more than 25 years.

They bring their distinctive sound to Givens Performing Arts Center on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29.

In their Celtic Christmas program, the Ladies put their signature mark on classic carols such as “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Silent Night,” in arrangements that highlight the group’s unique Celtic instrumentation, beautiful harmonies and spectacular step dancing.

Hailed by The New York Times as “passionate, tender and rambunctious,” Cherish The Ladies have released two critically acclaimed holiday albums, “On Christmas Night” and their latest Christmas release, “A Star In The East.” The performance is Health Care Professionals Night at the Performing Arts Center. Health care professionals receive a discounted ticket.

They have grown from a one-time concert concept to an Irish traditional music sensation, literally the most successful and sought-after Irish-American group in Celtic music.

Organized by folklorist-musician Mick Moloney and sponsored by the Ethnic Folk Arts Center and the National Endowment for the Arts, they began as a concert series featuring the brightest lights in Irish traditional music.

Taking their name from the name of a traditional Irish jig, the group initially won recognition as the first and only all-women traditional Irish band. In a relatively short time, they soon established themselves as musicians and performers without peer and have won many thousands of listeners and fans of their music.

With their unique spectacular blend of virtuosi instrumental talents, beautiful vocals, captivating arrangements and stunning step dancing, this powerhouse group combines all the facets of Irish traditional culture and puts it forth in an immensely humorous and entertaining package.

Under the leadership of the dynamic and irrepressible Joanie Madden on flutes and whistles, they have grown from a one-time concert concept to an Irish traditional music sensation and are the most successful and sought after Irish-American group in Celtic music.

The past years have seen the group touring all over North and South America, the United Kingdom and Europe, China, Australia and New Zealand performing in the finest concert halls and international festivals. They are equally at home in front of a symphony orchestra, a performing arts center, a folk festival or even the White House.

During their travels, they have attained numerous awards and achievements including; named Best Musical Group of the Year by the BBC, Top North American Celtic Group at the Irish Music Awards, Entertainment Group of the Year by the Irish Voice Newspaper, chosen the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall's International Group of the Year at the Celtic Connections Festival in Scotland and voted Top North American Celtic act by NPR Radio “Thistle and Shamrock” program.

They have shared the stage with such noted entertainers as James Taylor, Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris, The Clancy Brothers, Tommy Makem, The Chieftains and dozens of symphony orchestras. The “Celtic Album,” their collaboration with the Boston Pops Symphony led to a 1999 Grammy nomination. Their latest release, “Country Crossroads,” sees the Ladies joining forces with the Nashville music scene and they are joined by top session musicians with guest vocals by legendary singers Vince Gill, Nanci Griffith and Maura O’Connell.

The Ladies have recorded 14 highly acclaimed albums, which were all released to rave reviews including their Christmas album which was chosen as one of the top Albums of the Year by The New York Times, Washington Post, The Village Voice and many other nationally syndicated newspapers.

Cherish the Ladies have appeared on radio and television both in the U.S. and overseas. At the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, they were chosen to represent Irish music and culture at the Official Cultural Olympiad.

The event is sponsored by Mariani’s Restaurant of Pembroke.

Tickets range from $12 to $30. For more information contact the GPAC box office at (910) 521-6361 or visit the GPAC website at www.uncp.edu/gpac.