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HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY ! 

Dear Friends,

You don't have to be Irish to enjoy the show in East Durham this St. Patrick's Day weekend.

But it always helps!

The Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural and Sports Centre presents, It's a Great Day For the Irish!, a cabaret of great Irish-American performers on Saturday, March 15th (7PM) and Sunday, March 16th (2PM) at Weldon House, Rt. 145 in East Durham, NY.  The admission of $12.00 benefits the Centre and reservations can be made by calling 518-634-2286.  Members of the Centre who reserve their tickets in advance pay a special advance price of only $10.00!

It's a Great Day For the Irish!, arranged and directed by East Durham resident and well-known local performer Mary Ellen Petti, traces the musical careers of such notable Irish-American performers as George M. Cohan, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney.  Along the way there will be a variety of song styles, from Vaudeville, to Broadway, to standards, to reinterpretations of Irish folk songs, that follow the paths of Irish-American performers as they blazed their way to stage and screen stardom.

Performers from Greene, Dutchess and Orange Counties include John Thayer, Sal Polichetti and Terri Massimi.  The cabaret will be musically directed by Jonathan Delgado. With songs such as "Swinging on a Star," "Over the Rainbow," and “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” as well as traditional Irish favorites like "Danny Boy" and "Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ra," there will be a little something for every appreciative ear of popular music. What better way to welcome in the greenest of all holidays?

Come support the Centre, enjoy some quality entertainment and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day weekend with us!

Sincerely,

Brian C. Petti

Who Was St. Patrick?

St. Patrick was born in 387 A.D. - he is the patron Saint of the Irish, although Patrick was not Irish - he was born in Scotland. At that time, Ireland was a land of pagan kings and warriors. When Patrick was 16 years old, Irish warriors raided Scotland and carried captives back to Ireland to be slaves. Patrick was among them. For six years, he was put to work as a shepherd for an Irish Druidic high priest named Milchu. One night in a dream, God told Patrick to escape his master and go to the coast, two hundred miles away. Patrick did as he was told and made the journey safely. He found a ship about to sail to Britain. Once there, Patrick studied to be a priest. He was ordained a priest and later ordained a bishop.

Patrick returned to Ireland on March 25, 433, and began his work of teaching. Patrick used the three leaves of the shamrock to explain the trinity and the shamrock has been associated with the Irish since that time.

Although opponents of his teachings conspired against him and imprisoned him several times, he outwitted them with his faith and courage. When Patrick died on March 17, 493, all of Ireland was Christian.

©2008 Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural & Sports Centre, Inc.