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Boston concert honors Irish bandleader

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

Nearly one hundred musicians from around Massachusetts will gather at the Hatch Shell on Boston’s Esplanade on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 7:30 p.m. for a musical tribute to Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore, a 19th century Boston Irishman who influenced American music and culture.

Best known for his song, "When Johnny Comes Marching Home," written during the Civil War after the Battle of Gettysburg, Gilmore was also a masterful organizer of large-scale musical events. He created Boston’s annual Fourth of July concert promenade, originally held on the Boston Common, and the New Year’s Eve countdown in New York City’s Times Square.

The concert, under the direction of Stephen Babineau, will include leading musicians from several dozen community bands. Babineau is a music program director in the Narragansett Regional School District.

The concert is part of an ongoing effort to recognize Gilmore, who emigrated to Boston from Ballygar, Co. Galway, in 1849. Michael Cummings of Milton, Mass., a nationally respected authority on Gilmore and the president of the Gilmore Society, hopes the concert brings attention to the various achievements of the man known as the Father of the American Band.

The free outdoor concert is part of a summer series of music organized by the Metropolitan District Commission. The Esplanade is one of the nation’s most popular outdoor concert venues, and home to the Boston Pops Orchestra.

For more information on the Gilmore Society, contact Michael Cummings at (617) 696-0723.

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NEW YORK BENEFIT

The Quinn Family Support Group has organized a fundraiser for Friday, Aug. 28 at Rory Dolan’s, 890 McLean Avenue in Yonkers.

The group was formed to aid the family of Chrissie Quinn, mother of three boys, Richard, Mark and Jason, who were murdered in an arson attack on their home in Ballymoney, Co. Antrim last month.

The group is chaired by attorney Frank Durkan of the law firm O’Dwyer and Bernstien.

The Rory Dolan’s event will begin at 8 p.m. Music will be by the Conlon Brothers and a raffle will include prizes such as tickets for the Irish Repertory Theatre and dinner at Bobby Van’s restaurant.

Tickets for the fundraiser are $10 and are available at Rory Dolan’s, Rocky Sullivan’s in Manhattan, the Breffni in Woodside, The Lark’s Nest in Woodlawn, and Fibber Magees in Lynbrook. For details call (212)289-3863.

Meanwhile another fundraiser is planned for Fibber Magee’s on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. Music will be by Ten Yards Range. there is a suggested donation of $10 with all proceeds to the Quinn Family fund. For details call George at (516)333-7434. Fibber Magees is at 105 Broadway.

And a meeting of the Quinn Family Support Group is set for Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. in Rocky Sullivan’s, 129 Lexington Avenue in Manhattan.

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