St. Paddy's for Snowbirds

• St. Paddy's for Snowbirds

Contributed photo From left to right - Mikko Cowdery, Annie O'Flynn and Bruce Kelly.

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The third annual Mikko Cowdery and friends St. Paddy’s Day for Snowbirds United Way fundraiser is set for the AAAA Theatre in downtown Alexandria, Saturday, October 17, with a 7:30 p.m. curtain. These shows, along with the regular St. Paddy’s Day shows each March, have become an Alexandria area tradition.

It’s a fun show with lots of variety, and is set in an on-stage pub, where all the performers remain throughout the show. Audiences are invariably impressed by the musicianship, color, originality, stagecraft and infectious joy that pervades these shows.

The program will feature a dozen outstanding musicians, including the Skilly & Duff Irish Ensemble, winners of the 2009 music competition at the Minnesota Irish Fair in St. Paul. Three members of the group, Bruce Kelly, Annie O’Flynn and Mikko Cowdery, are just back from a musical tour of Ireland, where they’ve been gathering new material.

Other special offerings include a touching rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow by 11-year-old singing sensation Lily Satterlee of Sauk Centre, accompanied by 13-year-old jazz guitarist Brett Cowdery of Osakis.

The program will also showcase the phenomenal violin talents of 16-year-old Fiddlin’ Sam Steidl of Carlos, Alexandria music legend Chuck Wencl, the lovely vocal talents of Michelle Wencl, and the guitar magic of Terry Kennedy.

Back by popular demand will be Kenneth Hamrum of Fergus Falls, playing in the lobby on his big white harp, and on stage, the traditional pub instrument, the spoons. And as a special bonus, this show will mark the debut AAAA Theatre performance of concertina wizard Greg Lehrke of Evansville.

These performances range from tender and sweet to rollicking, foot-stomping fun. All profits from the show go to the United Way of Douglas and Pope Counties, according to Cowdery, spokesman for the performers.

“It’s good times with good friends, great music for a grand cause.”

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