On Feb. 16, approximately 90 people (residents and guests) met in our community center to see a show put on by Cahal Dunne, “Ireland’s Happy Man.” This was one terrific show that included many types of music and several songs.
Before each song was performed, Cahal told a small story of how it came about. Some were touching stories that really got to you, while others were cute and snappy.
He started off with a country Irish tart and song, complete with a dance step.
The first song that he performed on his white piano was entitled “Mary, Did You Know?“ He did a beautiful job on this song, complete with little antics of expression.
During the evening, he did several more, including a country song by George Strait called “I Just Want to Dance with You,” and this included some audience participation while he played it on the piano.
He then told us a story, which was quite touching, about a “special” student named Sara. As he told the story, chills ran up and down my body. Everyone was quiet, as they listened to the story. He then proceeded to sing the song called “An Angel for Sara.” In the song he related precisely what he told the audience in the story about a teacher stating that Sara was “special.”
One of the cute and funny songs was entitled “On the Internet,” which was priceless the way it was presented. By this I mean he had expressions that spoke volumes. Everyone in the audience had quite a chuckle.
When he first started the show, he was wearing a lovely jacket with blue and, then he changed to a green jacket. He proceeded to sing “The Galway Girl,” originally by Steve Earle. He not only played the piano but also the flute and, once again, with intermittently good antics. This was a lovely song, and the audience definitely showed their appreciation.
There was one really cute moment where he sang “The Pheasant Plucker” with no music, but the song had us in stitches.
Also performed was “Danny Boy,” while he played on the piano and sang the song. It was a fantastic performance.
“A Daisy A Day” was a beautiful love song and was performed on the piano. At this point, he changed into another jacket, which looked like a Liberace jacket with all sparkles.
He performed the “MIA” song that definitely brought a tear to many an eye. As with the other songs, before he sang, he told a story that touched our hearts. A cute moment was when he sang and played, “When You Wish Upon a Star,” and also used a baster when humming.
Another moment stood out when he sang “The Menopause Song.” This was simply adorable, and in the song “hot flashes” was mentioned along with the pulling of blankets plus the initials for Punish my Spouse. Yes, this was supposedly the worst song, but the best of humor.
He also performed, on the piano, a tribute to the Eagles, including “Desperado” and “Heartache Tonight.”
Once again, he changed jackets and wore a Scottish jacket to perform a cute and clever song called “The Scotsman.” This was performed with no music, but clapping from the audience.
A few more songs and then another jacket went on his back, and this was a black jeweled one. He performed “Why Do Fools Fall in Love,” “Run Around Sue” and “ In the Still of The Night.”
The last one performed was to “Shooby-doo’s” by the audience in the appropriate spaces. The audience went wild and loved the entire performance.
He put on one last jacket — a patriotic jacket, and sang the song called “The Journey,” which was a song of life.
Also, he had a drawing and one lucky person got their choice of either a CD or a book.
Everyone went home in a great mood after the show.
By Helene Rubenstein, Grand Horizons
