O'Laughlin's Pub Celebrates Arrival of 'Irish Idol'
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Members of the Pittsfield Sister City Committee welcomed 17-year-old Liam Geddes, who is set to make his American debut at the Colonial Theatre on Friday. Geddes, a native of Ballina, located in County Mayo, Ireland, was a finalist in the Eurovision Song Contest and also in The X Factor, the European version of American Idol. In the 2007 show, that had judge Simon Cowell delivering criticism to the competing singers, much like the American adaptation, Geddes was the highest-placed Irish contender and the youngest in the competition.
"He's a very big voice for someone so young," said his father, Liam Geddes Sr.
Geddes was told the Irish delegation was going for a quiet drink at the pub and was surprised to find festivities in his honor. He had previously visited New York, but this trip marks his first time in Massachusetts and Pittsfield. The singer, who traveled from Logan Airport in Boston by limousine on Tuesday, was met by a police escort upon arriving at the Pittsfield city line. He was also greeted at his hotel by cheerleaders and basketball players from St. Joseph Central High School.
"This is lovely, we've got a fantastic welcome," said Geddes Sr.
The younger Geddes said he had been looking forward to his visit for months and that he was surprised by the warm weather in Pittsfield.
"It was such a shock to come here," said Geddes, who, added that there had been a great deal of rain in Ballina lately.
His debut concert at the Colonial Theatre will have a surprise for Pittsfield natives, as he will be performing a duet with 16-year-old Caroline Sinico, a junior at Taconic High School.
"It's exactly what Liam wanted — someone his age he could do a duet with," said Richard Stockwell, producer of the show.
Geddes has yet to meet with Caroline but plans to practice with her this week leading up to the show. Andy Kelly and the Pittsfield Sister-City Jazz Ambassadors, an eight-piece band, along with Vicky True, Daniel Alberts and the step dancers from the Michael Farrell School of Irish Dance will also be performing.
Stockwell said members of the Sister City Committee were introduced to Geddes during their July visit to Ballina to celebrate the 10th anniversary of becoming sister cities. A delegation of 42 people from Pittsfield attended along with Andy Kelly and the Pittsfield Sister-City Jazz Ambassadors. During a reception for the Pittsfield visitors, Geddes was brought out as a surprise to sing for the group.
 Photos by Lyndsay DeBord
The Irish delegation to Pittsfield is welcomed at O'Laughlin's Pub. |
The show will be held at 8 p.m. at the Colonial Theatre on Friday, Oct. 10. Tickets are $35 for orchestra and balcony seating and $20 for gallery seating, and students will receive a $5 discount. Tickets can be purchased at the Colonial box office at 413-997-4444 or on the Web site.
"He's creating a big storm in Ireland," Geddes Sr. said, adding that he is hopeful his son will do the same here.
Cultural Exchange
St. Joseph's previously hosted the high school basketball team from Ballina, the Ballina Braves, for nine days last November. Most of the players stayed with the families of the St. Joseph's basketball team.
Lillian Quinn, academic dean at St. Joseph's, said the trip was a "cultural exchange for [the] students" with the visiting team experiencing American culture. During the trip, the students also went to a Boston Celtics game and visited the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield.
The concert featuring the "Irish Idol" will benefit a similar trip for the St. Joseph's team, allowing the players to travel to Ireland in July 2009, during which the 10-day Ballina Street Festival will take place.
"That is the best time to go," said Quinn, and added "It's not just fun and games," with members of the sister cities also discussing future exchanges during the trip.
Mary Kelly, a Ballina councilor, was also at the pub to welcome Geddes and said she had been to Pittsfield nine or 10 times through the sister cities' cultural exchanges. Kelly also brought her son Jason with her for his first visit to the United States.
"I love it here," said Kelly, who added that the warmth and friendliness of the people of Pittsfield allowed for lasting friendships.
"The relationships got stronger and stronger with twinning (the Irish term for sister cities)."
Patrick Gormalley, a member of the Pittsfield Sister City Committee and Matt Farrell from the Irish Sister City Committee were also among the group welcoming Geddes at O'Laughlin's.
The "Irish Idol" concert is part of the Fourth Annual Pittsfield City Jazz Festival, going on Oct. 10 to 12. For a list of events taking place throughout the city, click here.
