Minister Humphreys to launch new Nyah CD at big marquee event this Saturday
The new Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD will be getting a real taste of cross-border culture — Cavan style! — next Saturday night, when she will be guest of honour at the launch of a new 21-track CD featuring a host of great artists from all traditions, North and South!
And not only will Minister Humphreys be getting pride of place as she launches ‘Nyah Culture Sharing – The Cavan Way, Vol 1’, she will also be happy in the knowledge that the new recording has been dedicated especially to her — and there aren’t too many government ministers can say that!
The big CD launch takes place at a free concert to be hosted in the Taste of Cavan Marquee at Cavan Institute, Cathedral Road, Cavan as musicians, singers and storytellers from both sides of the historical divide get together to add their own inimitable contributions to the ‘Taste of Cavan’ weekend’s recipe!
The 8.30pm–10pm (doors 8pm) show will see the Nyah Shared Cavan Culture Big Band joined by Willie Drennan and the Ulster-Scots Lambeg Folk Orchestra as well as the Mullaghboy Accordion Band, and songs and marches associated with the Irish regiments of the First World War will be heard again alongside traditional Irish dancing and reels, jigs, polkas, songs and recitations, as artists featured on the CD take the stage to deliver lively live versions of the recordings on offer and more.
‘Nyah Culture Sharing – The Cavan Way, Vol 1’ includes an inspiring and varied selection of performances drawn from all aspects of the culture as big songs from Cavan Co Choir rest easily with spirited trad tunes, lilts by the evergreen Seamus Fay, uplifting melodies from the Mullaghboy band and humorous offerings ranging from Willie Drennan’s ‘Lambeg Rant’ to Eamon Maguire’s mischievous recitations or Mickey McDonnell’s tongue-in-cheek verses about the all-Ireland Fleadhs in Cavan.
Fiddle maestro Gary Lynch, guitarist Fintan McManus, drummer Martin Murphy, storyteller Patsy McDermott, singer Cathal Lynch, and dancers Ellen Grant and Jasmine Scanlan will also be among the many talented artists taking part in what promises to be an unforgettable evening — sure isn’t it guaranteed to put a spring in new Minister Heather Humphreys’ step as she gets used to all things cultural!
This project is supported by the PEACE III Programme, managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the Co Cavan Peace III Peace and Reconciliation Partnership. For more info: Martin Donohoe at cavanmusiclive@gmail.com or 086 234 2270.