Canada’s East Coast was in the spotlight in Ottawa this St. Patrick’s Day weekend as Chez 106’s St. Pat’s-A-Palooza took over the Bronson Centre Music Theatre on Saturday.
The party kicked off early and in high gear as the Bytown Sea Shanty Collective lead the sold-out crowd in a sing-along of the best shanties from across the Atlantic to the shores of the Maritimes, karaoke-style; including traditional and original favourites from the catalogues of Stan Rogers and Great Big Sea; while the Ottawa Valley’s own, MacEoin-Ramsay Pipe Band extended the party to the Highlands with a performance of Scottish classics.
The MacEoin-Ramsay Pipe Band would return again later on in the night to accompany Cape Breton’s own fiddle-playing legend, Ashley MacIsaac, onstage as he wowed the dancing audience with his dynamic style and hypnotizing melodies.
Finally, headlining the night with a powerful, electrifying set of radio staples was Sloan; who kept the audience mesmerized with a set of fan favourites and rare album cuts from their 30-plus year career.
St. Pat’s-A-Palooza proved to be the perfect Saturday night party celebrating Irish and Celtic culture through Canada’s own legendary musicians and stars.