It must be the luck of the Irish, or just how the Gregorian calendar rolls, but after a long wait, St. Patrick’s Day is finally falling on a Friday.
It was way back on March 17, 2006 when this last happened, and what better way to celebrate a Friday St. Paddy’s Day than with Vernon’s own band Cod Gone Wild.
The Cods will bring both modern and traditional Irish and Maritime music to their performance in the grand ballroom at the Vernon Lodge and Conference Centre.
“St. Patrick’s Day allows everyone the chance to be Irish for a day, dress in your favourite green outfit, drink some green beer (or a Guinness), eat some Irish stew (which will be available for sale at the event) and of course dance to some great Irish and Celtic tunes,” said Cod frontman and founder, Andrew Mercer.
Last year, the band was on tour and was unable to put on its annual St. Patrick’s Day performance.
As in the past, this year’s show is in aid of the Sun FM Have a Heart radiothon, which raises funds for the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation. The Cods have donated more than $8,000 from its St. Patrick’s Day concert proceeds towards the radiothon the last several years, said Mercer.
“It’s exciting to be back in Vernon, partnering with Sun FM and the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation for St. Patrick’s Day, with a brand new lineup of amazing musicians to showcase to our followers in the area,” he said. “Vernon has given us so much support in the past and it is important to give back to the community that has supported us from day one and has made this journey possible.”
The Cods, who went through some changes last fall, adding drummer David Mihal, bassist Martyn Jones, and guitarist Sean Bray, are not wasting any time. The March 17 show will mark the launch of the band’s Pledge Music Campaign in support of its brand new album, set to be released in May.
“Fans will have the opportunity to pre-buy a signed copy of the album at the show and get a chance to hear a few of the new songs that will be recorded on the upcoming record,” said Mercer.
The new album will consist of a mix of original and traditional material that the band will be touring over the summer and into the fall across Western Canada.
Friday’s St. Patrick’s Day party at the Vernon Lodge features a full cash bar and concession serving Irish stew and a bun for $5. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and showtime is 8:30 p.m.
Tickets are $27 in advance at the Ticket Seller in the Performing Arts Centre, by phone at 250-549-7469 or online at www.ticketseller.ca. Tickets are $35 at the door. Must be 19 and over to attend.
For more information visit www.codgonewild.com or email andrew@codgonewild.com.