Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day celebration on Sunday, March 13 at its banquet hall, 2245 Speers Rd., Oakville.
The event runs from 4 to 10 p.m. and will feature performances by two Irish schools of dance and music by, direct from Dublin, The High Kings, Ireland’s Folk Band of the Year.
CHIN radio personality Hugo Straney will be the host and emcee for the evening.
Irish-fare finger foods will be available at the event, starting at 5 p.m. The High Kings will perform for two hours, beginning at 8 p.m.
The High Kings are a four-man band that has sold out hundreds of shows in Ireland and the U.S., made numerous TV appearances, and recorded four albums.
There are 500 tickets being sold for the event. Tickets are being sold on a first-come, first-serve basis and are $40 for the general public and $20 for members. Tickets are limited to two per member.
Tickets for the event can be purchased from Local 793 business reps and area offices by cash or cheque. They can also be purchased by credit card by calling 905-469-9299 or 1-877-793-4863.
Purchasers of tickets will be required to pick them up at the event. No tickets will be sold at the doors at the event.
About The High Kings
Ireland’s Folk Band of the year, The High Kings are Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy, Martin Furey and Darren Holden.
Coming from accomplished musical pedigrees, The High Kings grew up in households soaked in the Irish musical tradition and each member of the band witnessed first hand the power of well-crafted Irish music on an audience.
The High Kings showcase their incredible versatility and skills as multi-instrumentalists, playing 13 instruments between them, bringing a rousing acoustic flavour to brand new songs as well as some old favourites.
The Band Members
Finbarr Clancy was born in County Waterford. He was plucking the banjo and playing the bodhran at the age of five.
His first professional performance was on stage at the tender age of 10, singing and playing the banjo with his cousin. Finbarr went on to learn the guitar and flute and began writing songs at the age of 17.
Finbarr began touring North America with his father and uncles, The Clancy Brothers, in 1995. Following the passing of his uncle and later his father, Finbarr continued the tradition by touring with Eddie Dillon and Mark Fitzpatrick along the festival route, which included playing at America’s biggest Irish Festival in Milwaukee.
As part of The Clancy Brothers, Finbarr played all over the world and had many TV appearances.
It was when Finbarr decided to move back to Ireland after touring the U.S. that things started moving very quickly. Within a few months of moving home, Finbarr joined The High Kings and spent all his time rehearsing and recording a new album and DVD.
Brian Dunphy was born in Dublin. He realized early on that the musical path would be the one he would follow.
Brian’s biggest break came when he won the lead singer role in “Riverdance The Show,” traveling extensively across America, Canada, China, Australia and Europe.
He spent two years singing at The Gershwin Theatre on Broadway in New York and as lead vocalist in Radio City Music Hall.
Following Riverdance, he joined The Three Irish Tenors and enjoyed huge success stateside. Europe beckoned next as he took on a role performing as his father in a tribute to the Irish Show-Band stars of yesteryear, “Dance Hall Qs And Hucklebuck Shoes.”
Throughout his career, Brian has had the honour of recording with many artists, including world-renowned violinist Vanessa Mae, Celtic Woman, Bill Whelan’s Riverdance-On Broadway and Riverdance – The 10th Anniversary.
Martin Furey is a well-established folk singer and songwriter. He has spent many years touring and performing in his own right.
Born in County Waterford, he has lived and breathed Irish music taught to him by his father and uncles.
Martin began his studies at Dublin’s historical Trinity College and later moved to Prince’s University, Edinburgh, to study Scottish literature and history. It was in Scotland where his band Sam Harlet was formed. The band had a huge following, and played almost every venue in the highlands and lowlands of Scotland.
In 1992 Martin and his sister joined together to form a band called Bohinta and toured the U.K. and Europe.
Martin plays multiple instruments, some of which include banjo, bouzouki, guitar and whistles which feature in The High Kings live shows.
Darren Holden is a prolific songwriter and musician and a master interpreter of lyrics.
He is from Mooncoin County Kilkenny and is comfortable performing all genres of music from pop and jazz to country and Celtic.
Darren starred as The Piano Man (Billy Joel) in the Tony Award-winning hit Billy Joel/Twyla Tharp musical Movin’ Out both on Broadway and on tour for four years, receiving critical acclaim throughout the U.S., Canada and Japan.
He was lead singer with Riverdance on Broadway and on tour for more than three years.
A top ten recording artist in Ireland, Darren toured with Boyzone on their first major tour of Ireland and the U.K.
Darren relished the opportunity to join The High Kings, and reach a new audience, singing the songs he had learnt as a child.