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Ring in the New Year with live music, great company, and a little sparkle!Join Northern Lakes Arts Association for our Annual New Year's Eve Gala & Concert at Ely's Historic State Theatre, featuring Irene Hartfield and Orchestra, with special guests Chickadee-dee-dee and the Drift!
We're bringing together some of the Northland's finest musicians for an evening of live music, delicious food, and celebration.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2026
5:30 PM | Ely's Historic State Theatre
238 E. Sheridan Street, Ely, MN
TICKETS: $40
Includes live music, heavy hors d'oeuvres by Boundary Waters Catering, and a celebratory champagne toast.
Tickets available at www.northernlakesarts.org
FEATURING IRENE HARTFIELD & ORCHESTRA
Singer, keyboard artist, songwriter, and arranger Irene Hartfield takes center stage for a concert unlike anything she's presented before.
The evening will feature Irene's original compositions alongside her distinctive arrangements of songs by other artists, brought to life through new orchestrations by Jennifer Fagre-Golya, concertmaster of the Mesabi Symphony Orchestra, and an ensemble featuring four string players.
Irene's remarkable career has taken her from New York City clubs and recording studios to performances in Sweden, Bermuda, Venezuela, Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, and aboard Holland America cruise ships.
Since returning to her hometown of Ely in 2002, she has become an active part of northeastern Minnesota's musical community. From serving as music director for Reflections Dance Company to accompanying local theater productions and performing with the Mesabi Symphony Orchestra, Irene's contributions to the arts have touched generations of Northland audiences.
Most recently, she served as musical director for Ely's Historic State Theatre's 90th Birthday Gala and was honored with the Ely Music and Drama Club's 2024–2025 Community Service to the Arts Award.
OPENING THE EVENING: CHICKADEE-DEE-DEE AND THE DRIFT
Known for their lively harmonies, playful arrangements, and fun covers, Chickadee-dee-dee features:
• Grace Klein: Vocals and ukulele
• Ellen Root: Bass
• Emily Weise: Vocals, washboard, and spoons
For this special New Year's Eve performance, they'll be joined by Colin Walker on fiddle and mandolin and Henry Hark on guitar.
AN EVENING TO REMEMBER
Your ticket includes a full concert experience, heavy hors d'oeuvres catered by Boundary Waters Catering, and a champagne toast to celebrate the new year.
Whether you're continuing a New Year's Eve tradition or starting a new one, we hope you'll join us for a night celebrating music, community, and the year ahead.
A SPECIAL DEDICATION
This year's concert is dedicated to the memory of Robin Anders, who performed alongside Irene for several years as her drummer and helped produce and record her album Play Me. We are honored to celebrate his life and musical legacy through this performance.
GET YOUR TICKETS
$40 per person
www.northernlakesarts.org
Presented by Northern Lakes Arts Association.
Funding for this concert is provided in part by the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council.
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Event venue
Ely's Historic State Theater, 238 E Sheridan St,Ely, Minnesota, United States
Tickets
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