WCVE Public Radio's 5th Annual St. Patrick's Day Concert: A Growing Tradition

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Did you listen to or attend last Thursday's 5th Annual St. Patrick's Day Live Concert?  What a day!  Here's the scoop.

Richmond's own Irish-American pub band Uisce Beatha held center stage for the fifth year for us in our annual celebration.  My thanks to Jim, Judy, Ed, Sajii and to Dan who although was not able to attend did send green vibes to his bandmates.  The self proclaimed official band of St. Patrick's Day treated the audience to traditional Irish folk songs with their own unique twists often calling on the audience to participate in the music making.  All in attendance appeared more than happy to oblige quickly following the lead of band members and "Ba-Heads" in attendance. 

A very special song made its way onto the set list this year when the band performed and dedicated Page Wilson's "Virginia" to his memory.  May he rest in peace. 

Over the years Jim Guy has rustled up his bandmates and brought them to our station celebration but he has also consistently provided top notch musicians to be a part of the show.  This year was no exception when we made the happy acquainteance of Annie & Mac.  Listening to them play a combination of guitar, banjo and harmonica took us all back to a time when family music making was the norm and a joy.  Mac, who celebrated his birthday that day, provided historical and cultural information about the pieces played making for a richer listening experience.

Any proper Irish pub would find in it from time to time a storyteller captivating the imaginations of pub patrons.  Our pub had not one but two storytellers.  This year we partnered with Barksdale Theater who sent over two "top shelf" actors, Kelly Kennedy and Scott Wichmann.  Kelly read "The Lake Isle of Innisfree" by William Butler Yeats and the opening speech from "The Dead" by James Joyce.  Scott read Ernest Thayer's "Casey At the Bat".  Their talents added a whole new dimension to our annual gathering.  Let's hope this marks the beginning of a new tradition. 

For five years Uisce Beatha and friends have made their way to this pub that exists this one day only on the grounds of WCVE Public Radio.  This year it was decided that the pub needed a proper name and through the power of modern communication our audience sent us their suggestions via Facebook, Twitter and text.  In the end the band and live audience unanimously settled on "The Single Malt Pub".  Thanks to all who sent us their ideas and congratulations to Mike, the new proprietor of The Single Malt. 

Here's a look at the happenings at The Single Malt Pub.

Hope you'll make plans now to join us next year!