Cherish the Ladies are back at the Garde Arts Center with their Celtic Christmas show.

The group formed in 1985 “to celebrate the rise of extraordinary women in what had been a male-dominated Irish music scene,” and their shows combine instruments, vocals and some step dancing.

Since then, they have starred in a public TV special that won an Emmy, and they have performed with Don Henley, Vince Gill and The Boston Pops.

The group’s leader, Joanie Madden, plays the flute (look out, Lizzo!) and the tin whistle. Her tin whistle playing was so extraordinary that she became the first American to win the senior all-Ireland championship, in 1984.

Cherish the Ladies Celtic Christmas, 8 p.m. Friday, Garde Arts Center, 325 State St., New London; $28-$48; (860) 444-7373, gardearts.org.