Celebrate the Green with D&R Greenway Land Trust And Voices Chorale NJ

Ireland and central New Jersey have one important thing in common:  rolling hills of green.  In celebration of D&R Greenway Land Trust’s work to preserve the green in our local communities, Voices Chorale NJ is bringing Irish music and dancing to a benefit for both organizations just in time for St. Patrick’s Day.  The event will take place in a restored barn on Sunday, March 12, from 3-6 p.m. at D&R Greenway’s Johnson Education Center, One Preservation Place, Princeton.

Storyteller Ron O’Reilly will be on hand to share his Irish tales, and The Kotelnicki School of Irish Dance from Hamilton will perform and teach Irish line dancing.  Local musicians Bronwyn Bird and Justin Nawn from The Birdhouse Center for the Arts in Lambertbille will entertain us with traditional Celtic. Irish harp music will set the “tone” as attendees are seated pub-style to partake beer, wine and Irish-themed food.   A Silent Auction of unique items will support these two partnering nonprofits.

Tickets for this festive event and benefit are $65 per person. Space is limited. To reserve your spot, visit https://www.drgreenway.org;  or  https://www.voiceschoralenj.org or call 609-924-4646.

“This special event combines the best from two prior events with Voices: Irish music and an unforgettable procession to an outdoor firepit at sunset that is absolutely magical!” says D&R Greenway President & CEO, Linda Mead.  Only 75 seats are available. By the “luck ‘o the Irish” be among the first come, first served and reserve your party’s seats now.

Voices board of directors president and choir member Jane Read shares her thoughts about some of the songs Voices will perform: “Wild Mountain Thyme” (also known as “Will ye Go Lasie, Go”) is one of her favorites “I first came to know this through Judy Collins and then The Byrds all the way back in the ’60s,” Read says.

“We’re also singing a song composed by our own Ken Guilmartin, called “St. Brigid’s Dance,” which he wrote after a musical journey in Ireland.” Guilmartin is a singer with Voices, a trustee of D&R Greenway, and the founder/artistic director of Music Together LLC.

“No Irish song fest (at least in the US) would be complete without Danny Boy,” says Read.” The song is based on a tune known as “Londonderry Air” which has been used by many songwriters. The words were written in 1910 by an Englishman, Frederick Weatherly and set to this tune in 1913. The tune has been used for many other songs and hymns as well.

“Voices is excited to renew our partnership with D&R Greenway with this event. We look forward to sharing our music and enjoying the afternoon with friends old and new,” says Read.

Referring to Ireland’s rolling hills, which are known for having 40 shades of green, D&R Greenway’s Linda Mead says. “Your contribution and participation in this fun event will help us keep 40 shades of green in New Jersey and the Delaware Valley!”

Photo: Party goers enjoying the last Celebrate the Green Event in 2017. Photo by Michael Abadie