The beer was flowing, the music was pumping, and the stage was full of dancing as St. Patrick’s Day festivities were underway on Cove Rd. in London, Ont. Saturday.
“Everybody’s Irish today,” said Allen Somjee, vice-president of the London Irish Canadian Cultural Society (LICCS).
“The best Guinness in London is flowing today, and we’re very excited for tonight and everyone seems to be partaking.”
Culture, arts, crafts and music were all part of the family day event during the day before the venue is converted for multiple bands to play in the evening.
A feature of the event is the Goggin-Stewart dancers. Six of Saturday’s performers will be headed to the World Championships in Ireland next month.
“We’ll be doing a lot of training for the world’s as it’s about in four weeks, so we’re getting excited,” said Kylie Paliani, 26, of London, Ont.
“We’re going to be going to Dublin. A bunch of us were just there competing at the All-Ireland Championships, so we’re excited to head back.”
This group did not do National Championships this year, so they qualified through Oireachtais.
As the performers danced on stage, the crowd joined in.
“It’s super fun to watch everyone getting into it and clapping,” said Grace Bowman, 25, who is also going to Worlds.
“We just get to dance to some fun music today and just have a great time with our friends.”
Bowman is looking forward to head to Dublin to enjoy the Irish culture, eat “Murphy’s Ice Cream” and she described the city as “beautiful.”
Teammate Fiona Newsome loves Irish Dance as it’s a combination of ballet and tap and allows her to travel the world.
“I feel like it’s a big opportunity for me to go there (Dublin) because I’m the youngest world qualifier in our school,” said Newsome, who will turn 12 while at the Worlds.
The venue was divided into three big rooms, with music and food in the pub, more music and celebrations going on in another room, and then a bazaar and main stage was packed for the sold-out event.
“We partnered with the London Irish Folk Club and we’re with the Irish Society, so we’ve got three rooms of entertainment here at the German Club as we’re new tenants with them,” said Simon Geary, president of the LICCS.
“The Irish are going to automatically party, but when you see Canadians coming in too - everyone being Irish for the day - it’s just a lot of fun and good times, which I think we need nowadays with everything going on in the world right?”
The party won’t be limited to Saturday. Somjee says they will have a smaller event at the club Monday with music and food.
