Irish vocalist Maura O’Connell first came to this country in the early 1980s as a member of the acclaimed traditional Irish band, De Danaan. Immediately, American audiences warmed to her and she found a home on this side of “The Pond.” Grammy-winning instrumentalist Jerry Douglas became an early and enduring friend. When O’Connell decided to step out as a solo artist, she invited Douglas to produce her albums and moved to Nashville, Tenn. The collaboration paid off with a Grammy nomination for her 1989 CD, “Helpless Heart.” A native of Ireland’s County Clare, she continues to delight audiences with her eclectic choice of songs, pitch-perfect singing, and warm Irish charm. On Saturday, O’Connell will perform at the ArtsCenter. www.artscenterlive.org