ANNUAL supporters of the mighty ‘A Night to Remember’ concert in UCH for Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Limerick branch should mark Monday November 28 into the diary. This is when a swathe of musicians, singers, dancers and facilitators fill out the concert hall with talent given freely to a satisfactory cause.
Arts page ran to Bobby Byrne’s Bar on Monday last to hear the news on this year’s show. Oh, boy, is the 2011 event going to be a heartstopper or what. Denis Allen strolled in, as did St John’s Brass and Reed leader John Doyle with band members; singer Conor J Ryan, RTE lyric fm’s Alan Ryan, musical director Bryan Meehan, dancers from O’Rourke’s School of Dancing in costume and RTE lyric fm’s Lorcan Murray, the MC.
Producer Tony Doyle is determined to raise on 2010’s take by mixing up the programme. He is introducing names such as Conor J and Jean McGlynn for solo power and welcomes back the support of Johnny Duhan, Derek Moloney, The Limerick Tenors, Michael Shortt, comedian John Geraghty and accordion player Charlie Reynolds. Reader, there’s more gold to roll out but hold your whisht until later in the month for a further report.
“’A Night to Remember’ is for the Alzheimer/ Dementia Respite and Day Care Centre in Killaloe,” Tony (ever elegant in manner) reminds us. “The day care is full and respite constantly busy. Service users have to pay towards use although there is HSE subvention to help. Our purpose is to raise funds towards helping minimise the cost for the person with Alzheimer’s as much as possible”.
What he loves about organising this gig with musical director Bryan Meehan is that “everyone we ask to help, helps. Johnny Duhan is with us, Seoda, Denis. We can welcome the big Savoy Jazz Band back under Alan Ryan and we’ll have dancers from the O’Rourke School who were spectacular last year”.
The Limerick charity volunteers were in Bobby’s to flag appreciation: Lilian Sullivan, Gabrielle Wallace, Helen O’Donoghue, the incorrigible Ray Keane, faithful Donal Malone and more. Tickets are selling at UCH box office, the Alzheimer Day Centre in Garryowen and at Regional Office, George’s Quay House for November 28, 8pm curtin.
