A Celtic Christmas at the Cambrian Hall
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
VANCOUVER - On November 30, the Welsh Society of Vancouver presented A Celtic Christmas at the Cambrian and what a superb and entertaining evening it was!
Jennifer Parkinson-Dow and Neville Thomas are to be roundly congratulated for the wonderful program of music, dance, song and readings. There was something representative of the Celtic nations in the evening’s program.
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JANE BYRNE, president of the Welsh Society and Neville Thomas of the Dylan Thomas Society enjoying the evening at the Christmas at the Cambrian.
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The event was held in the Red Lion Pub, which is downstairs from the main hall at the Cambrian Hall. The Red Lion has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, it’s the way we imagine a real Celtic pub should be. Resplendent in Christmas decorations, the tone was set for the first Celtic event of the season.
The festive atmosphere put everyone in a relaxed and happy mood and as the evening’s events unfolded, the audience seemed to be in a reflective mood, especially throughout the readings of A Child’s Christmas in Wales. No doubt, many related to the poetry of Dylan Thomas, recalling their own childhood Christmas memories.
Starting off the entertainment was Highland dancer Caitlyn Ryan, who did a sword dance with piper Kevin Watsyk providing the music. The Celtic Ayre Vocal Ensemble sang some favourite Celtic and Christmas songs.
The Jocelyn Band from Squamish is a family group with the main attraction being their 10- year old daughter Jocelyn, an incredible fiddle player, who plays with the North Shore Fiddle Orchestra. She blew the audience away with her expertise on the fiddle and many wondered what the future holds for such a talented 10-year. There is no worry about the demise of the fiddle traditions when there are dedicated young fiddlers like Jocelyn in our midst.
Nicole Slade from the University of British Columbia played some traditional Christmas music on the harp. Each Celtic nation reveres the Celtic harpist as an integral part of the culture. Next up were the O’Connor Irish Dancers in their beautiful burgundy velvet and gold dance costumes.
They gave a soft and a hard shoe rendition of Riverdance-style Irish dancing, to the delight of the audience. Many people who otherwise would not know of Irish dancing, have became aware of its impact with the very popular Riverdance.
And then...the absolute crème-de-la-crème of the evening, the reading of A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Russell and Colleen Roberts, who were accompanied on the piano by Brian Tate. It was my first time hearing this reading and it won’t be my last, it was superb. I heard many of the audience saying that it was the best reading they had every heard of this Dylan Thomas classic.
Finally, the evening drew to a close with traditional carolling and wassailling around the piano, as Yuletide greetings were exchanged over mulled wine. What a great Welsh custom to start the Christmas season! Don’t miss this annual Christmas event next year at the Red Lion. Get your tickets early because it’s always sold out.
The Cambrian Hall is located at 215 East 17th Avenue, Vancouver. For more information about upcoming Welsh events, call: (604) 876-2815, or visit their website at: www.welshsociety.com.
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