The fiery playing of Riverdance fiddler Eileen Ivers opens the 2002-2003 season of West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s Distinguished Performance Series.

Ivers and her band will appear in concert at 8 p.m., Friday, September 6, in WVU Parkersburg’s multi-purpose room.

The DP Series will also include the Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats, Nov. 22; pianist Leon Bates, Feb. 1, and the National Theatre of the Deaf’s production of "Oh, Figaro!" on April 4. All programs are at 8 p.m. in the college multi-purpose room.

The New York Times has dubbed Ivers "the Jimi Hendrix of the electric violin." Born in an Irish community of the Bronx, Ivers began playing fiddle at the age of eight. She has won seven fiddle titles, an eighth on the tenor banjo and over 30 additional medals, establishing her as the most awarded competitor ever in the All-Ireland Championships.

Ivers has toured the world to great acclaim, not only with Riverdance and the all-woman folk group Cherish the Ladies but as a featured player with such contemporary performers as The Hothouse Flowers and Patti Smith. Her session work and appearances have included with The Chieftains, the London Symphony and the Boston Pops Orchestra. Recording credits include appearances on more than 75 contemporary and traditional albums and numerous movie scores.

But it is her unique Irish-fusion sound that brings her acclaim as she draws upon a wide range of musical styles while remaining true to Celtic traditions. She is regarded as the world’s pre-eminent exponent of the Irish fiddle.

Tickets for the Distinguished Performance Series are available in the college business office; any remaining tickets will be at the door one hour before each performance. They are $10, adults and $5, students.   WVU at Parkersburg students may purchase special advance tickets for themselves and one guest for $2 each. All tickets at the door will be regular price. There are no reserved seats.

The Distinguished Performance Series is presented with financial assistance from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and National Endowment for the Arts with approval by the West Virginia Commission on the Arts, Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, University System Board of Trustees Social Justice program, WVU at Parkersburg Academic Affairs budget, and student activity fee.

Ticket information is available by contacting the college’s business office, 424-8223.