Naomi O'Neill plays the traditional role of the middle child.
"I'm the glue, the one that calms things down," she says.
FAQ
Women of Ireland
WHEN — 7:30 p.m. today
WHERE — Alma Performing Arts Center
COST — $25 and up
INFO — 632-2129
But not many middle children tour internationally with their sisters, as Naomi does with Fiona and Evangeline. The three have been singing together since they were around 10 years old, growing up in County Kerry, Ireland.
"We formed a group and won a talent show," she remembers. "1,500 pounds! We invested it in getting equipment for ourselves so we could do gigs."
After walking the red carpet with Tom Cruise, performing for American troops and singing in English, Irish, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Latin, Japanese and Sanskrit, the sisters are touring with a show titled Women of Ireland -- with the subtitle "not just another Irish dance show." The production is intended to showcase "the next generation of Ireland's leading female performers."
Being on the road with her sisters means not just performing three-part harmony but "exploring no matter where in the world we are," Naomi O'Neill says. "We get up, get out and see what's around. In a town that's very small, we might go find a cute coffee shop or a unique shop."
Sometimes it also means dealing with "the dynamic that's there in all families," O'Neill adds. "But we can fight and get over it 20 seconds later. We're in this together. If it advances one person, it advances us all."
-- Becca Martin-Brown
NAN What's Up on 03/17/2017