Irish Association returns with Saint Patrick’s Day shindig

AFTER a quiet ten years the Central Victorian Irish Association returns in high spirits on Monday’s Saint Patrick’s Day with a glorious two-hour concert showcasing all things Irish music and culture.

To be held at The Engine Room in View Street, performances will include traditional Irish dancing by the O’ Shea Ryan Academy of Irish Dance, and former professional operatic soprano Suzanne Houlden, baritone Bryan Milne and soprano Gayle Ritchie will also appear.

Leading Irish instrumentalists including Meryl Wilkinson on Celtic harp, Emily Calder on fiddle, and a very special guest from Melbourne, Matthew Horseley on the Irish Uilleann Pipes, are also set to perform.

Another special part of the concert will be a centenary tribute to Irish born composer Victor Herbert, featuring songs from his light opera Naughty Marietta and several songs/arias from his rarely performed grand opera Natoma.

Central Victorian Irish Association vice president John Clancy said the celebration, which is funded through the City of Greater Bendigo Community Grants Program, will feature music for all tastes because “not everybody likes one kind, which I think is important.”

“The songs are going to be quite a wide variety of old ballads, folk songs, traditional and one or two modern ones as well,” he said.

“Instrumentally, most of what will be played is older traditional Irish music, sometimes arranged for other instruments.”

The Central Victorian Irish Association’s Saint Patrick’s Day concert takes place on Monday 17 March from 7.30pm.

To check for ticket availability, visit Gotix.