PORTLAND – The Center for Cultural Exchange will present the Cathie Ryan Trio at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9.

The daughter of Irish immigrants, Ryan was born in Detroit. Her father was a tenor and much in demand at the Gaelic League, where her family spent much of their time. As a child, she often visited her grandparents in Ireland, who had a profound effect on her singing and songwriting. Her paternal grandmother, Catherine Ryan, was a fine fiddler and singer; her maternal grandfather, Patrick Rice, was a gifted storyteller.

The New York Daily News has written that Ryan is “firmly in the upper echelons of Irish music singers.”

For the fans who have been following Cathie since her early days with Cherish the Ladies, this is proof that she’s a major artistic talent, equally at home in the Irish tradition or in contemporary songwriter movement, says a center spokesperson.

Tickets are $14 in advance and $17 at the door. They are available by calling the box office at 761-1545; going online to www.ticketweb.com; or at Bull Moose Music.