Local opera singer Andrew Gavin hosts concert for cancer charity

Tenor Andrew Gavin will present a concert of opera, song and musical favourites to raise funds for the cancer charity 'Look Good Feel Better' who help women undergoing all kinds of cancer treatment.

The Navan-born singer will be joined by an exceptionally talented group of male Irish opera singers, all of whom regularly work internationally, and Kildare-based traditional Irish music group Cairdeas.

Andrew said: “This is the third annual concert that we have presented in Ireland as a group that goes by the name ‘The Corona Beards’.

"Initially, the group started as a WhatsApp group chat of opera singers who had lost all of their work during the initial stages of the coronavirus lockdown of 2020. When we were stuck at home with no foreseeable employment prospects in the arts, we used the group to chart our facial hair growth and to motivate each other and to stay positive; hence the name ‘The Corona Beards’."

The Corona Beards will present the night of music in St Mary's Church of Ireland on Saturday, 11th November at 7.30pm.

Andrew said: “We decided that when national restrictions lifted we would hold a concert to celebrate our joint passion for singing and to raise funds for a charitable organisation, and we have continued that tradition every year since. The concert in Navan is the third instalment on this wonderful musical journey that we have undertaken together. It is an honour and a privilege to perform with friends who I consider to be some of the finest singers in the industry.

“I’m delighted that we’re rising money for ‘Look Good Feel Better’ as I feel a deeply personal connection with the work that they do. The charity aims to help improve the well- being and confidence of women undergoing treatment for any type of cancer. They do this by providing free ‘Look Good Feel Better’ workshops and advice, to help manage the visible side-effects caused by cancer and its treatment. I lost my own mother Joan to cancer when I was a child, and I know that the work of this charity would have been a wonderful help for her throughout her illness."

Tickets for the concert cost €25 and are available at (086) 1583474 or at the door on the night.