AUGUSTA — The public is invited to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a distinctive French flair at a festive Franco-Irish Soirée planned for Sunday, March 17, at the Calumet Club in Augusta. This family-friendly event features authentic old-time French-Canadian jigs-and-reels music as well as dancing for all ages.
The doors will open at 5:15 p.m. for people to socialize over their beverage-of-choice from the bar, or, if they come hungry, to enjoy a classic Franco-American supper of meat pie and pea soup with a choice of whoopie pie or crème roll for dessert.
At 6 p.m., the entertainment will kick off with the Sizzling Shamroques performing a mini-concert featuring both French-Canadian and Irish jigs and reels, followed by an hour or more of music for dancing. This sprightly Franco-Celtic ensemble features dynamic 20-year-old fiddler Hannah Rodrigue backed up by guitar/mandolin player Don Cunningham and string bass player Rod Pervier, with Mike Boyd providing a driving Celtic “heartbeat” on the bodhran (Irish hand drum).
Dance caller Cindy Larock will lead attendees in a lively assortment of fun and easy French-Canadian-style contra, square and circle dances reminiscent of those done at the house parties which were common on Saturday nights throughout Quebec and in Franco-American communities in Maine until two or three generations ago. Larock is a master dance teacher with the Maine Arts Commission’s Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program who learned her craft from noted Quebecois folk musician and dancer Benoit Bourque.
Admission to the St. Patrick’s Day Soirée is $5 for adults and $3 for students up to age 22, with pre-school children admitted for free. Refreshments will be sold separately. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Calumet Club lounge, and will also be available at the door if the even does not sell out in advance. The Calumet Club is located at 334 West River Road in Augusta. More information is available by calling (207) 623-8211 weekdays between 8 am and 1 pm.
More information is available via the organization’s website at www.MaineFolqueCo-op.com.
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- The Sizzling Shamrocks comprise fiddler Hannah Rodrigue of Lewiston, backed up on guitar, mandolin, bodhran (Irish hand drum) and string bass by Don Cunningham of Lewiston, left, Mike Boyd of Mexico, right, and Rod Pervier of Pownal, not pictured.
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