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www.celtic-connection.com
JUNE 2009
Celtic Thunder Roars at UBC Thunderbird Arena
VANCOUVER - The forecast called for thunder in the vicinity of UBC. However, the system that rolled in, in the form of Celtic Thunder, was very welcome indeed.
Celtic Thunder, the group consisting of five male soloists, backed by the Celtic Thunder Orchestra, played to an appreciative audience at the newly constructed Thunderbird Arena at UBC on May 7.
While the 7,500 seat venue wasn't a complete sell-out, about 6,000 fans took in the spectacle that has been wowing audiences since the group performed their debut concert in Dublin back in 2007.
With an expansive set, massive video screen, creative lighting, and a stage constructed to resemble an ancient stone path, the men of Celtic Thunder performed an impressive array of songs.
The audience was treated to traditional folk songs, haunting ballads, love anthems, even tunes from The Police and The Proclaimers.
From the opening number where Paul, George, Keith, Ryan and Damian descended the "stone" steps in flowing black coats - you could hear the appreciative hoots from the legions of female fans in the crowd.
Judging from the variety of ages represented in the audience, Celtic Thunder's fan base is truly multi-generational. I spied grandparents toting their grandchildren, entire families, giggling groups of pre-teen girls and men and women of all ages.
Yes, men too. (It's evident that Celtic Thunder offers talent that goes far beyond their collective good looks).
At the concession just prior to the show, a young girl was doing the happy dance behind me, telling grandpa she would "die, justDIE!" when she saw Damian. I had to laugh.
Those familiar with the broadcast of Celtic Thunder: The Show, which has aired on PBS, would have recognized most of the songs performed at Thunderbird Arena.
I suppose part of the widespread appeal is the sheer variety of musical numbers they offer.
From the poignant My Boy performed by the oldest member of the group, 41-year-old George Donaldson, to the crowd favourite Lauren and I, written and performed by 22-year-old Keith Harkin, this show had something for everyone.
Thirty-year-old, Paul Byrom from Dublin is the sole tenor in the group. He brought the audience to their feet with his powerful version of You Raise Me Up.
An incredibly talented vocalist, Paul has performed at the All Ireland Finals in Dublin's Croke Park and for Ireland's President, Mary McAleese.
So Justin Timberlake may have brought sexy back, but County Tyrone-born Ryan Kelly, (31) had it all along when he performed the catchy Ride On and the Fagles super-hit Desperado.
At just 16, Damian McGinty is the youngest member of the group. His versions of Neil Sedaka's Breaking
Up is Hard to Do and Sweet Sixteen were entertaining. Fven if his fancy footwork isn't exactly Dancing with the Stars, Damian, who hails from Derry, has energy and style that's fun to watch.
With a scattering of Irish flags, the crowd was waving their hands in the air to Ireland's Call and when the lads arrived on stage, fully decked out in kilts for Caledonia the applause was long and loud.
Honestly, who knew kilts could look so good? Originally from Glasgow, George Donaldson belted out an unforgettable version of The Proclaimers, 5,000 Miles and a real highlight of the evening was Paul Byrom's stirring rendition of Remember Me.
All five members of the group are incredibly talented vocalists who had to audition for show producer Sharon Browne, also the driving force behind Celtic Woman.
With his model good looks, Keith, who is from Derry, barely made the
auditions, only finding out about them on the very day they were taking place.
Ensuring the Celtic Thunder Orchestra never miss a beat, the legendary Phil Coulter is Celtic Thunder's Musical Director.
Performing for just over two hours, with a 15 minute intermission, Celtic Thunder returned to the stage for one encore, exiting to thunderous cheers and applause. While Thunderbird Arena isn't exactly an intimate setting, when the performers and the music truly connect with the audience, it somehow feels more intimate.
It's clear the men of Celtic Thunder have a repartee with the audience that says "hey, we love being up here and we love performing these songs for you." You get the feeling they're not just going through the motions.
It's been described as a production that explores the expression of Celtic music and so much more - all in all, it delivers just that.
The show in Vancouver was the final date in their spring 2009 tour. Celtic Thunder is scheduled to begin a 50 date concert tour of the U.S. this fall.
Originally from Belfast, Anne Sanders is a freelance writer living in Ladner, B.C.
Susan Boyle worried about career: brother
LONDON - Talent show contestant Susan Boyle's biggest concern after being admitted to the Priory, a London clinic, suffering from anxiety and exhaustion is where her career is headed, her brother said.
The 48-year-old Scottish singer was defeated in the final of Britain's Got Talent television contest on May 30 after becoming a global Internet sensation. Following her second place showing doctors were called to her London hotel and suggested she go to a clinic for rest.
The singer's brother Gerry Boyle told The Early Show, a U.S. television morning news program, in an interview that aired on June 2 that Boyle was anxious about her singing career.
"Would you believe her biggest worry after Saturday night is that where does her career go from here? Will she be still accepted?" he said. "She didn't win the competition. Will people still want to hear her sing?"
He said Boyle's health seemed to be improving and that she was anxious to return to her home in the small town of Blackburn, Scotland.
"Susan seems to be coming back to her old ways," he said. "She's fine. She's anxious to come home, and she's sounding a bit more like herself."
Boyle's future has been seen as secure despite coming second. Britain's Got Talent creator Simon Cowell and his Syco music label were
SUSAN BOYLE sang Memory from the musical Cats on the semi-final for Britain's Got Talent contest.
widely expected to sign her up for an album.
Starved of oxygen at birth which caused minor brain damage, Boyle has been pursued by the world's press since early April when she sang J Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables. She broke down in tears repeatedly ahead of the final.
Gerry Boyle said his sister did not blame the media for exploiting her and said she simply needed to return home for a few days.
"You know, be reunited with the now world-famous Pebbles cat, have a good cup of Scottish tea," he said. "Let's face it, Susan seven weeks ago was just a lady from Scotland."
After returning to Scotland she could then consider any offers and where her career will go, he added.
THE CAMBRIAN HALL was officially opened in 1929.
Cambrian Hall: Home to the Vancouver Welsh Society
By EIFION WILLIAMS
VANCOUVER - This year marks the eightieth anniversary of the building of the Cambrian Hall, the only Welsh hall built specifically for that purpose in North America.
Early Welsh immigrants brought with them the rich cultural traditions of their homeland, including the eisteddfod and the gymanfa ganu. By the 1920s the Welsh of Vancouver had come together to form the Cambrian Society to celebrate and coordinate their contributions to the cultural life of the city.
By the end of the decade they came to realize the need for a hall where they could hold their various activities.
The Cambrian Hall was built largely by voluntary labour and financial donations. The Society was fortunate at the time to have some wealthy donors, whose names are commemorated on the cornerstone of the building at Seventeenth and Main.
Land for the Cambrian Hall was sold to the Cambrian Society for $1 by Joseph Jones, the owner of a Vancouver dairy and a long-term school trustee.
Among the other donors commemorated on the cornerstone are Chris T. A. Spencer, owner of the Spencer's department store chain, later sold to Eatons; developer and philanthropist Jonathan Rogers, who built the downtown Rogers Building; and prominent Vancouver businessman Thomas Edwards.
The Cambrian Hall was officially opened before a large number of visitors on September 1, 1929 by Marion Malkin, the mayor's wife. The ceremony was followed by a sold-out afternoon and evening concert presented by Society members.
During the grim years of the Depression and the Second World War the Cambrian Hall continued to be the focus of Welsh activities, with the holding of an annual Gymanfa Ganu and Eisteddfod.
In 1941, the Vancouver Province headlined the accomplishments of a young Japanese-Canadian named Bobby Ito, who won several prizes in the Eisteddfod at the Cambrian Hall. It is not recorded whether young Bobby was later one of the Japanese-Canadians forcibly relocated from the West Coast by the Federal Government.
In the years following the War, the various cultural activities continued at the Cambrian Hall. Gradually, however, immigration from Wales declined and it became difficult to
attract new members. There were serious discussions on the future of the hall, including the prospect of selling it.
The Hall was saved in the 1970s with the renovation of the Lower Hall, which was converted into the Red Dragon Lounge where Welsh Society members could hold events and socialize. This was followed in the 1980s by further renovations to the Upper Hall, including the addition of a stage and washrooms.
The conversions were carried out through voluntary labour by a building party consisting of members, many of whom are still active in the Society. The renovations had two income-generating results: a club bar was installed in the Red Dragon and the Upper Hall became available for rentals.
In recent years the building has been plagued by structural problems that have been a financial drain on the Welsh Society. A few years ago, the roof had to be replaced.
Money has been raised through events such as concerts by visiting Welsh choirs and the fraternal Vancouver Welsh Men's and Vancouver Orpheus Choirs. Fortunately, rentals of the Upper Hall have increased substantially in the last few years.
The Hall has also benefited from voluntary work carried out in recent years by dedicated members of the Society. A monthly work day has been instituted to carry out repairs and maintenance on the building.
In the 1980s the Vancouver City Council recognized the cultural significance of the Cambrian Hall by designating it a Heritage B building.
Today, it is home to the Welsh Society and many of its affiliates and offshoots, including the Cambrian Circle Singers, the Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir, the Vancouver Orpheus Choir and the Dylan Thomas Circle.
On the second Sunday of each month a bilingual church service is held in the Hall and there is also a monthly Welsh-speaking session.
Plans are now being developed to celebrate the Cambrian Hall's eightieth anniversary during the annual Welsh Weekend in November.
This will include a celebration dinner and the traditional Gymanfa Ganu. Information on future Cambrian Hall events can be found on the Welsh Society's website www.welshsociety.com.