TimeOut St Paddy’s Day to be a ‘craicer’

l CAIRNS

| Nick Dalton

ALL things Celtic are celebrated at the Reef Hotel Casino to mark St Patrick’s Day next week.

Starting on Friday, March 17 (St Patrick’s Day) will be an enviable line-up featuring multi-talented Irish/Aussie singer songwriter, Damien Leith, plus Melbourne Celtic rockers Claymore, special guests City of Cairns Irish Highland Dancers, Indie Irish duo and The Cane Fires.

Local Irish hero Mick O’Mara with his acoustic four-piece Shehade will also ensure it is a ‘craicing’ weekend.

Returning is Damien Leith, a multitalented artist who has made his mark in Australia s a singer/ songwriter, selling over 700,000 albums.

He is also a producer, author, playwright and TV/radio host personality.

Leith first captured the attention and affection of Australians, when he contested the 2006 edition of Australian Idol – a series he went on to win.

Casino entertainment manager

Bruce Stewart said since then his career had skyrocketed, but he had remained “charming, grounded and modest – securing him a place as a popular and well-loved Australian personality”.

“Damien will present traditional tunes, contemporary Celtic, his originals … maybe even a little Roy Orbison,” he said.

“Melbourne Celtic rockers Claymore will take to the stage for three nights for a rockin’ loud evening of entertainment.

“Internationally considered one of the world’s premier Celtic rock bands, an evening in the company of Claymore always demands audiences to be on their feet from the onset.

“Forget everything you’ve ever thought you knew about Celtic rock bands, because Claymore, defies all expectations.”

Mr Stewart said adding to the weekend’s line up, is new to the scene, Trad duo The Cane Fires featuring Tully Connors and Rob Howe with their cool modern twist of the Celtic genre.

“Everything sounds Celtic when you add a tenor banjo. Cool classics and originals,” he said.

“The perennial Shehade acoustic four-piece will deliver more traditional tunes and cool classics in the casino and BAR36 throughout the weekend.

“Featuring Mick O’Mara and Peter Ella, Shehade are to be sure to get the toes tapping and the hands clapping.

“The highlight for the weekend will be special guests, the City of Cairns

Irish Highland Dancers, presenting their high impact energized dance shows, both Irish Highland. Dancers from the City of Cairns Highland and Irish Dancers have joined the internationally acclaimed OzScot Australia Highland Dancing Team. OzScot has performed all over the world including Scotland, Oman, the US, Switzerland, Holland and Nova Scotia.

The live music starts from 2.30pm in the casino and into the evening in BAR36 on March 17 and 18 and from 4pm on Sunday at BAR36. Tickets are not required. For the full schedule visit www.reefcasino.com.au.