MUSIC HALL SERIES RETURNS WITH IRISH NIGHT
JOSEPHINE SARNELLI
On March 24th, the Music Hall Series returns with Irish Night in Westfield. Featured will be Banish Misfortune, a six-member Irish band, and Emerald Road, the 14-member adult dance troupe of Small Planet Dancers. The fundraiser will be held at St. Mary’s High School, 27 Bartlett Street, Westfield.
Banish Misfortune’s instrumentation includes fiddle, concertina, mandolin, accordion, flute, and guitar, with which they perform rousing sets of traditional jigs, reels, hornpipes, waltzes, polkas and airs. “… As well as the occasional inspired song or accompanied Irish poem,” adds David Meuser, their guitarist. All its members hail from western Massachusetts, some having played together for decades.
Small Planet Dancers is the umbrella organization of several different dance troupes; Emerald Road focuses on Irish and Scottish dances. “Our mission is to educate as well as entertain,” explains Josephine Sarnelli, the Artistic Director. “A routine such as I’m Shipping Up to Boston is based on the large number of Irish immigrants coming to the United States, especially in response to the Potato Famine. Our newest choreography, Cry of the Celts, starts off with the Druids and evolves into a contemporary reel.” Although strongly influenced by Michael Flatly and contemporary Irish dance, the choreography will also include some traditional numbers, such as Dancing at the Céili.
Julie Gillette, Chair of the evening at St. Mary’s Church, said that the event is open to all ages. “Shenanigan’s Pub is providing beer, corned beef sandwiches and snacks for purchase all night long. We’re hoping that families will come for dinner and stay the night.”
The Music Hall Series was started in 2009 by Sarnelli and Kevin Mulligan. “We had sellout shows for the Celtic rock band Seven Nations and Canadian fiddle player Kelli Trottier,” relates Mulligan. “Brass Attack, Prydein and Jay Unger and Molly Mason were also successful shows that we produced.” Sarnelli adds, “After a year sabbatical, it’s nice to be planning another community event. The proceeds from the night will benefit the Fr. Dion Scholarship Fund.”
The doors open at 5:00 for open seating. The performance begins at 6:00. The cost is only $10 for adults and $5 for students for tickets purchased in advance. Tickets will also be available at the door for $12 and $7. Tickets can be purchased at Mina’s Wine & Spirits (Tobacco Barn) and Shenanigan’s Pub in Westfield.
Visit www.SmallPlanetDancers.com for complete details or phone (413) 455-2175 for more information.
