Concert for Aware to be streamed from Kilcullen
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| At last night's launch were Deirdre Ward, Canice Keane, Lorraine Nolan, Pat Kelly, Arlene Bailey, Mary Masterson and Lorraine Kelly. |
A concert to be live-streamed from Bishop Rogan Park on 30 August will raise funds for the mental health charity Aware, writes Brian Byrne. It's being organised by local musician Pat Kelly and will feature top singers from the Kilcullen area and beyond.
The Anvil at Rest gig is being staged in Pat and Lorraine Kelly's front garden, running from 3pm to 5pm, and everyone is welcome to come along, bring a picnic blanket or camping chair, and enjoy an afternoon of music with friends, family, and neighbours in the surroundings of Bishop Rogan Park. The event is being live-streamed through Facebook.
Aware supports mental health through education and support services and promotes understanding of the issue across Ireland. "Very many families have experience of mental health problems, and I felt that I wanted to do something for it," Pat told the Diary at last night's launch of the event in McTernan's Bar. "When I began looking for artistes for it, I got a great response."
The performers will include Arlene Bailey, the Sallins-based country singer who has resumed her music career in country rock after a break from the business. Arlene has worked with some of the finest musicians in Nashville, including Bob Hatter, Donnie Skaggs, and Gene Rabbai. Arlene is also an ambassador for Aware.
Lorraine Nolan from Newbridge, director of the Liffey Choir and a former lead vocalist with Riverdance, as well as having an extensive portfolio of national and international performance, has also come on board.
The concert will also feature Kilkenny-born singer-songwriter Canice Keane, who lives in Kilcullen and is another member of the Liffey Choir along with Pat Kelly. Gordon Turner, musician and sound engineer, will be handling the sound quality as well as taking a turn on stage himself. Also on the card are Emma Kayaalp, Yvonne Ennis, and John and Joe Kelly. And, of course, Pat himself will take a turn or too.
When it came to a name for the event, which Pat hopes will become an annual mini-festival, he chose the anvil to reflect his father's work as a blacksmith and his late brother Ned's prowess as both blacksmith and master farrier.
Donations for Aware associated with the event can be given via a QR code and can also be made on the day for those who go along to hear the music live.
A social media campaign for Anvil at Rest is being organised by Emma Keane.
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