East Strand concert for arrival of the Olympic Torch

A concert will be be held at East Strand, Portrush, on the evening of Sunday, June 3 to mark the arrival of the Olympic Torch.

The event will include two fabulous community showcases, both under the musical direction of Eric Boyd. For the first, he has brought together youth members of the Ballywillan Drama Group who recently performed their award winning production of ‘The Sound of Music’ at the Riverside Theatre. their showcase will provide a costumed version of favourite songs from this iconic show.

On hearing that this is to be performed as part of the Olympic celebrations, the rights holders of ‘The Sound of Music’, Josef Weinberger Ltd, in London and Utopia Costumes, in Scotland, who provided all the costumes for the production, have agreed to provide their services free of charge.

The second showcase will be a Celtic Fusion of music and dance. The Dominic Graham School of Irish Dance are working closely with Eric Boyd in arranging the music and choreography for the performance.

The music and song will be complemented by pipers, drummers and acclaimed Irish and Scottish dancers. One of Coleraine’s top vocalists, Linda-Jane Workman-Nelson will sing the famous song ‘Red Sails in the Sunset’ immortalised by the late Jimmy Kennedy.

With dancing from The Michelle Johnstone Highland Dancers and a performance from Aaron McLean from the Field Marshall Montgomery World Champion Pipe Band NI, it’s sure to be an event to remember.

The mayor of Coleraine, alderman Maurice Bradley, said “The Olympic Torch Relay is going to be a fantastic event and a great opportunity to showcase all the amazing local talent we have in the Borough.

“I am very much looking forward to this celebration and I have no doubt that every one of these brilliant local artists will do us all proud and that both these community showcases will be a delight from start to finish.”

Eric Boyd added “I am looking forward with eager anticipation to what will be an outstanding event, not just celebrating the arrival of the Olympic Torch in Portrush but the opportunity to showcase the wealth of talent in the Borough of Coleraine.”

Dominic Graham, the founder and director of The Dominic Graham School of Irish Dance, said “It is an honour to be able to perform our distinctive style of Irish Dance in celebration of the Olympic Flame and especially at the East Strand, a place that’s beauty has always inspired us.”

Tickets for the Olympic Torch Relay Concert are free and will be available soon. Further details from www.colerainebc.gov.uk or www.northcoastni.com