Bing Crosby nephew, Irish trio make Tri-City holiday stop

When Howard Crosby first saw the Celtic crossover group Affinití perform, he was blown away.

And, he was grateful.

“I thought, I’m glad I went on before them and not after them. They were even better than the headliner that night,” he said.

Crosby — a Washington native and nephew of the legendary Bing Crosby — formed a friendship with the classically trained Irish musicians after meeting them at a Dublin event several years ago.

They’re on tour together now, spreading Christmas cheer around the Northwest and beyond. On Dec. 12, they’ll stop in Kennewick.

Showtime is 7 p.m. at the Three Rivers Convention Center. Tickets still are available.

Audience members “can expect to have a great night,” Crosby said.

There’s plenty of precedent to back that up. Affinití and Crosby have twice before brought their unique holiday show to the Tri-Cities, wowing audiences with a blend of classic tunes and modern favorites with a Celtic flare.

Last year, audience members were treated to something particularly special, when acclaimed Tri-City singer Justin Raffa spontaneously joined Affinití soprano Emer Barry on a tune from Carmen.

That was “a magic moment,” Crosby said. While it could never be replicated, this year’s show will have plenty of its own magic, he said.

Affinití, which includes Barry on lead vocals, Aisling Ennis on harp and Mary McCague on violin, will perform beloved songs from movies and Hollywood leading ladies, plus favorite Irish songs.

The group also will treat listeners to plenty of Christmas classics.

Crosby will take the stage to perform some holiday and Hollywood tunes. And don’t fret, he said, “you can’t pretty much count on the fact that I won’t get off stage without singing White Christmas” — the tune made famous by his Uncle Bing.

At the show, “there’s something for everyone,” Howard Crosby said.

The event is put on by the nonprofit Arts Center Task Force as a fundraiser for its planned Vista Arts Center.

The center will go in at Vista Field, anchoring redevelopment of the former municipal airport owned by the Port of Kennewick.

It will be the only full-time nonprofit performing and visual arts center in the Tri-Cities, and will include an 800-seat theater, a community room designed to hold up to 200 people, an art gallery and a pedestrian art walk, among other features.

The task force is raising money for the facility; it isn’t seeking a sales or property tax increase.

A conceptual design was unveiled earlier this year.

Crosby said he’s looking forward to this year’s Celtic Christmas stop in Kennewick. The Affinití musicians will impress with their charm, talent and skill, he said.

“It’s a fun night, no doubt about it,” he said. “Anyone who comes will enjoy themselves.”

Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door. They’re available at https://bpt.me/3118682 or at Tri-Cities Academy of Ballet and Music, 21 Aaron Drive, Richland.

This story was originally published December 10, 2017 at 5:24 PM with the headline "Bing Crosby nephew, Irish trio make Tri-City holiday stop."