News

Elders Rock Rome's Capitol Theater

January 15, 2008

As expected, The Elders, who cemented their status as the hottest band on the Irish music circuit with an explosive performance at the Great American Irish Festival last summer, thrilled a packed house at the Capitol Theatre in Rome on January 12, 2008. Singer Ian Byrne noted as they took the stage that, after their welcome at the festival last summer, playing in Central New York again 'felt like coming home' and the Kansas City-based sextet made it a homecoming to remember. Brought on stage by emcee James Masucci (Rome's Public Safety Commissioner, who assured the band they had free reign in Rome that night!) the Elders had the sold-out crowd literally dancing in the aisles (as well as on the stage), not an easy feat at an alcohol-free venue! While it's difficult to pick out a highlight from a show that had no lows, the performances with the band accompanied by the wind ensemble and choir from the YMCA Center for the Creative Arts brought the audience to its feet with a well-deserved standing ovation. Also performing with the band (as well as on their own) were dancers from the Butler-Sheehan Academy of Irish Dance. Proceeds from this concert will go towards Rome Weed & Seed's 'Prudy Ellinger Scholarship Fund' that was established in memory of one of Weed & Seed's founding members. The scholarship fund is designed to benefit a local youth who wishes to further his or her education. For those who were there, it was show they'll never forget. For those of you who missed the show, gosh, who knows when you'll ever get a chance to see this band in upstate New York again? (wink, wink)