Sutton Coldfield Festival of Arts

• Venue: Bishop Walsh

On Friday July 11 at 7pm a Carnival hits Bishop Walsh Catholic School as part of the Sutton Festival Of Arts.

As the culmination of work from the school’s Arts Week there will be a public showcase evening featuring all the dance, music, drama, art and visual pieces that have been developed by pupils, based on this year’s theme of carnivals.

There will also be a special guest appearance by the popular Irish band Cairde.

Cairde (pronounced Korja) were formed by musicians Kevin Maher (box accordion), Mick Green (banjo), John Moran (fiddle) and former Bishop Walsh pupil Daniel O’Connor (keyboard).

The original band specialised in traditional Irish music and taught audiences how to Ceilidh dance.
“We’ve been doing really well performing as a Ceilidh band, but people were always asking us if we knew any songs.  The band members are all acclaimed musicians in their own rights, but none of us can sing a note,” said Daniel O’Connor.

Cairde put out an appeal via their website to find a singer and by chance were contacted by Walmley-based singer, guitarist and former Bishop Walsh pupil Steve Davis. Steve is no stranger to Sutton audiences. He is also half of the popular Irish duo, Norfolk & Good, has trodden the boards with Sutton Coldfield Musical Theatre Company and also worked a season as a Pontin’s Bluecoat.

Professional drummer Eddie Doherty joined Cairde at the same time as Steve and has added an extra dimension to the band’s music. The band now performs Irish, country, rock and roll and more modern classics in addition to the jigs, reels and ceilidh. A night out with Cairde really can provide something for almost everybody.

Cairde are really excited about their involvement with Sutton’s first ever Arts Festival. “We play at weddings, functions and festivals all over the country. It is going to be really great taking our act back to Daniel’s and my old school and coming back home to Sutton,” said Steve.

Steve will also be performing solo in the Songwriters’ Café at Woolworths on Saturday July 12 at 1.15pm, following on from Claret’s Tim and Sandra Robinson (12 noon). Tim taught Steve how to play the guitar during evening classes at Plantsbrook School more than ten years ago.
For more information about the band, visit www.cairde.co.uk