St. David’s Celebration has festivities in store

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Fellow Welshmen will lead the New Castle St. David’s Celebration this year on Feb. 23 at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 2434 Wilmington Road. Geraint Wilkes will return to serve as master of ceremonies and conductor, and the featured soloist for the Gymanfa Ganu is baritone Trefor Williams. Accompanist for the afternoon and evening festivities will be Lois Hopkins.

A social will begin at 3:30 p.m., the Gymanfa Ganu will start at 4, and a prime rib dinner will follow at 5. Reservations are required only for the dinner and must be made by Feb. 16. To make a reservation, send a check for $21 per person, made out to Lawrence County St. David’s Day Society, to Debbie McHattie, 409 Clen-Moore Blvd., New Castle, PA 16105.

After-dinner entertainment will include a monologue presented by Wilkes, and he, Williams and singer-guitarist Amy Johnson of Farmdale will perform a variety of music.

Wilkes has appeared with many stars of the World Opera and musical theater in Great Britain. He is a recipient of the silver medal from the National Operatic and Dramatic Association of Great Britain and has performed for Charles, prince of Wales.

Williams runs his own voice studio in the Milwaukee area and is recording his first CD, titled “Love Divine.” He has sung and conducted at many Welsh-American events across the country.