The Irish Concerts kicked off on Saturday December 14, 1985 with a Benefit Variety Concert for the yet to be formed Irish Cultural Society and Liffey Players. The concert was presented by the Irish Music and Dance Society, an organization related to the Houston School of Irish Dance, which had a liquor permit required for such an event. Host for the evening was John Smithers supported by the “inner circle”. The programme included the Houston and Pettigrew dancers, the Drovers musical group, the Singing Smithers Sisters, and a skit and one act play performed by the Liffey Players. The evening was well attended and enthusiastically received.
Programme for the December 14, 1985 Benefit Variety Concert
A follow up Night in Concert was held on May 31, 1986 at the Deer Run Community Centre. This was organized by Tom Casey, Chairman of our Concert Committee. Committee members included Mary Hennigan, Collette Smithers, Eilish Foley, John Cleary, Ann Casey, John Smithers (also M.C. for the night) and Greg Resnik (program design). Performers included recording star Jacqueline Dolan, Ron Nolan and dancers from the Irwin and Regent Dance Schools. The Liffey Players performed a one act play, “The Shadow of the Glen” starring Carolyn Doherty, Barney Toye, Shea Scully and Martin Cowman directed by Bill Torrie. The evening was opened and closed by musical group Finnegan’s Wake – Anne Cowman, Mick Clark, Shay Scully, John Cummins and Martin Kelly.
Mary Hennigan, Fran McClure and Seamus Dunne enjoying the concert in Deer Run Community Centre
Martin Cowman, Shea Scully, Carolyn Doherty and Barney Toye played in “Shadow of the Glen” at the Irish Cultural Society Variety Concert in Deer Run Community Centre
The Social Evenings continued at the Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Centre. John Cleary led the organizing group and subsequently Des Prunty. The evenings provided musical entertainment with an ‘open mike’ opportunity.
Tom Casey flogging 50/50 tickets to Larry Austin at Hillhurst
Fran and Joe McClure with Anne Cowman