CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — The Benevolent Irish Society, continuing a long-standing tradition, is hosting a special winter variety show on Saturday in the Katherine Hughes Memorial Hall at the Irish Cultural Centre at 582 North River Rd.
The show, which begins at 7:30 p.m., will feature performers who are among the pioneers of the BIS variety show, which began more than 40 years ago.
Performers include Roy Johnstone, Margie Carmichael, Jim and Laura Farrell, Jim Hornby and sisters Flora Anne Donovan-Whitty and Judy Donovan-Whitty. The event is hosted by Mary Ellen Callaghan, the BIS president.
Carmichael is a well-known P.E.I. musician, entertainer, songwriter, author and playwright. She has written radio plays, theatre sketches and parodies that CBC has aired locally, regionally and nationally. She has performed many times at the BIS since the society began hosting music in the 1980s.
Johnstone, a versatile and popular fiddler, has been active in the East Coast musical community for nearly 40 years. As well, his musical career has taken him to Iceland, Scotland, Mexico, Cuba and the United States. He was honoured as a P.E.I. musical ambassador and has received awards for both his dedication to preserving traditional music and his studio and sound track recordings.
The Farrells, of the Celtic music group Guinness, have been playing for audiences in North America and Ireland since 1981. Now based in P.E.I., they still perform internationally. They accompany their singing on guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin and tin whistle.
Hornby, who was born in Charlottetown, is a folklorist, fiddle player, historian and lawyer. The recipient of two master’s degrees, he is the author of several well-known books on Island history and law and is known to Islanders for his fiddle music.
Flora Anne Donovan-Whitty is enthusiastic about performing a few favourites in a duet with her sister, Judy, who will also sing a few of her favourite songs solo while accompanying herself on piano. The sisters were frequent performers onstage at the society when ceilidhs and variety shows began at the Irish Hall.
There will be a 50/50 draw during the evening. There will also be bar service, as well as tea and treats served during the intermission. Admission is at the door, which opens at 6:30 p.m. For information, call 902-213-3924.
