Church choir to host Shamrock Shenanigans

The Sisters Episcopal Church's Transfiguration Choir will be hosting an Irish-themed fundraiser for the choir's upcoming Ireland tour. Dubbed the "Shamrock Shenanigans," the event will feature choral performances, Irish storytelling, an Irish dancer, a "Pot of Gold" raffle, and a silent auction. The auction items are primarily from choir members who are donating their services and resources.

There is no admission charge and the public is invited to the event, which will be held on Saturday, February 19, at 2 p.m. Complimentary appetizers and desserts will be provided by the choir.

The Transfiguration Choir, which toured central Europe in 2009, now plans a choral tour to Ireland in June 2011. Proceeds from the Shamrock Shenanigans will be used to help defray costs for the choir members' trip expenses. The choir's concert tour will include concerts and stops in Shannon, Galway, Connemara, Killarney, The Burrens, Glendalough, and a final concert tour in Dublin.

The choir's preparations and rehearsals for the tour began last summer, and the choral pieces selected for the Shamrock Shenanigans will constitute the choir's first public performance of songs to be performed in Ireland. The choir's repertoire includes several Irish songs, as well as spiritual, contemporary, and traditional selections.

The familiar "Irish Blessing" and other songs will be performed by the full choir in a 20-minute set at the event next Saturday. Talented tenor Randy King will also sing a medley of songs from Brigadoon. Gayla Nelson will sing "Look to the Rainbow," and Roger Fairfield will perform "Galway Bay."

Chuck Christopher will recount the stirring tale from Irish mythology of "Fionn MacCumhaill and the Salmon of Knowledge," and Emily Woodworth will perform an Irish jig in authentic Irish costume.

The fundraising portion of the event will be the Pot of Gold raffle and the silent auction. The raffle is for a pair of tickets to the Irish dancing phenomenon, Riverdance. That show will be held in Eugene in late May. The silent auction features a number of interesting - and unusual - items up for grabs.

A few of the silent auction items include framed art work, a fruit and vegetable basket, a custom-made jewelry set (including necklace, earrings, and bracelet), voice lessons, bread-making lessons, and a massage at GreenRidge Physical Therapy.

Some of the more unusual items include a snowshoeing trip for four, and three different guided hikes. One will be for any size party on a hike of your choice in the Sisters Country, led by The Nugget's own hiking columnist. A second hike along the Metolius River will offer wildflower and bird identification, with picnic lunch included.

The third hike up for auction will be led by a self-proclaimed "renowned unprofessional guide," who gained acclaim last year as Sisters' own infamous "lost hiker." This hike is billed as an early fall trip around Clear Lake.

"It's expected to be a one-day tour," joked leader Greg Pozovich, "but we're not sure." However, since the Clear Lake trail is well marked and portions are paved, there is a good chance that the winners of this auction item will return safely and on schedule.

The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration is located on the west side of Sisters at 68825 Brooks Camp Rd.