Senior Lookout
Those who prefer a more genteel St. Patrick's Day celebration, as opposed to the traditional political roasts, or the green beer that often flows at local pubs, have several options in the coming week.
Cape Ann and the North Shore are fortunate to have so many opportunities for residents to attend and participate in cultural events, and this is no exception. They are also a great opportunity for people of Irish or Scottish ethnicity to introduce traditional music to their children or grandchildren, and for children to honor their parents by celebrating their shared heritage.
There will be a Gala Gaelic Dance Benefit at Gloucester City Hall on Sunday, March 14, to benefit the City Hall restoration fund, to which you can bring the whole family.
Emerald Rae and her Irish/Cape Breton musicians and dancers will step to the tunes of Celtic fiddlers, vocals and guitar from 4 to 7 p.m. at Kyrouz Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and $25 for a five-person family. Refreshments will be served.
Tickets will be at available at the door, or you can pick them up early at Alexandra's Bakery or Bananas, both on Main Street.
On Saturday, March 13, the Ipswich Rotary Club plans a fundraising benefit concert, "Celtic Night at IPAC" and the headline act is Boys of the Lough. Their traditional acoustic instruments are the fiddle, flute, guitar and bodhran (a drum, which some think may have derived from Celtic war drums), and their vocal traditions are Irish and Scottish. According to the New York Times, Boys of the Lough (http://www.boysofthelough.com) is "one of the finest bands in Celtic traditional music." For those who enjoy this music, a unique opportunity presents itself next week in nearby Ipswich at the Ipswich Performing Arts Center (located at Ipswich High School), 134 High St., in Ipswich.
Frank Ferrell, who started playing at age 8, and who, while stationed in Boston at the Charlestown Naval Shipyard during the 1960s, became more interested in local Irish, French-Acadian, and Canadian Maritimes fiddlers. Ferrell, who still lives in Boston, has made numerous recordings; his 1991 recording "Yankee Dreams" was selected by the Library of Congress (http://www.loc.gov/folklife/selectlst/selrec91.html) as one of 25 recordings included in its "Select List of American Folk Music on Record." It was also nominated for a NAIRD (National Association of Independent Record Distributors) award for best traditional folk instrumental.
As if the event didn't have enough star power, Maeve Gilchrist (http://www.maevegilchristmusic.com), the Scottish singer, songwriter and harpist, will also take the stage Saturday night. Born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland, she attended the City of Edinburgh Music School. There, she studied classical piano, pedal harp and the clarsach, or traditional Celtic harp. She has performed at such events as the International Edinburgh Harp Festival, the Celtic Connections Festival and even the opening of the Scottish Parliament. She received a full scholarship to the Berklee College of Music, and is now based in Boston. She tours regularly with Scottish bassist Aidan O'Donnell.
So, if you don't mind going over the bridge for a dose of Erin Go Bragh from Boston area musicians, you can enjoy the tradition of the St. Patrick's Day season and contribute to a good cause at the same time.
Proceeds go to the Ipswich Rotary Charitable Endowment, money from which are used to benefit people locally and in other corners of our world. Tickets can be reserved by calling 978-356-2674 from 11 a.m. to 7pm. daily, and credit cards are accepted. Reserved seats are $30 per person, open seating $25. Tickets are also available at the door the night of the performance, first come first served.
For more information, see www.IpswichPAC.com.
Don't let these be the last performance you go to at a local venue! Also check out the Cape Ann Symphony (http://www.capeannsymphony.org), the Gloucester Stage Company (http://www.gloucesterstage.com), and other local performing arts opportunities. Or check these out:
Saturday, March 13, is also Irish Night at Holy Family Parish Hall from 6 to 10 p.m., with Irish stew, salad, soda bread, rolls, a cash bar of beer and wine, and a variety show featuring our own singing priest, the Rev. Ronald O'Gariboldi. Tickets are $15 and should be purchased in advance through all Guild members and at Holy Family Parish Office, after masses.
On Monday, March 15, from noon to 2 p.m., the Rose Baker Senior Center will celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a "Luck 'a the Irish Lunch" provided by The Causeway restaurant. Entertainment will be provided by the Good Old Salty Jazz Band, and the feast features chicken parmesan, lasagna, grilled sausage, mixed salads, rolls and desserts. Tickets are $6 per person, reservations required by Friday at the senior center.
Want "dinner without the song and dance?" On Saturday, March 13, the fundraising committee of First Baptist Church, 38 Gloucester Ave., will hold an old-fashioned Irish boiled dinner, with corned beef, ham, beverage and dessert. Take-out is available and the cost is $8 for adults, $5 for children under 12. For details, call the church administrator at 978-283-4808, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon.
Anne Springer is the public relations director of SeniorCare Inc., your Cape Ann area agency on aging. To reach SeniorCare, call 978-281-1750.
