Tickets are on sale for The Makem and Spain Brothers, who return to Melrose with a concert of Irish music on Friday, March 16, at 7:30 PM, at Memorial Hall, 590 Main St., Melrose –- just in time to kick off a gala St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
Proceeds from the concert will help support Donate Life Melrose, a local organization that is part of the national group promoting organ donor awareness and education. Members of Donate Life Melrose will help staff the event, and the group will hold a raffle, offering many intriguing and beautiful baskets.
Irish music has a long history in Melrose; the legendary Tommy Makem began a run of annual concerts back in the late 90s, playing annually to sold out audiences in Memorial Hall. For several of those years, his sons –Shane, Conor and Rory -- appeared with him, along with Mickey and Liam Spain. Since Tommy’s death in 2007, the brothers have taken over, offering their own brand of Irish folk music.
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The band of brothers, who were once considered the new kids in town, have honed their craft over nearly two decades of international performances. According to music critics and their fans, they are now one of the truly stalwart, road-tested Irish vocal groups available. They have played before millions of people from Canada to Texas, from California to the Caribbean and in Ireland, highlighting national PBS specials and popular Irish talk shows along the way.
According to Stephen Jones, organizer of the concert, “We want to continue the tradition of offering great Irish music in the beautiful setting of Memorial Hall. The Makem and Spain brother like coming to Melrose, as did their Dad, because the audience here is so warm and welcoming.”
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Tickets for unreserved gallery seats at $20 each are on sale at Breads ‘n Bits of Ireland, 530 Main St., Melrose. For reserved table seats at $25, call 781-662-5407.
