Opportunity Knocks set to reel in the years with special 30th anniversary concert
Opportunity Knocks marks a major milestone this year, celebrating 30 years since they first staged the variety concert competition in Shamrock Hall in Kilanerin.
To celebrate the anniversary, the committee is hosting a charity concert in aid of St Aidan’s Day Care Service on Friday, February 1, at 7.45 p.m. at Shamrock Hall. It promises to be a great evening, with previous winners of Opportunity Knocks taking to the stage to perform their memorable acts from years gone by.
Once the charity concert is over, Opportunity Knocks will get down to business for the competition side of things. Entries are filling up fast and acts of all varieties and ages are encouraged to get their entries into organiser Helen Whelan as soon as possible by calling her on 087 642 9291 as places are allocated on a first come first served basis.
The 30th variety concert competition returns to Shamrock Hall, Kilanerin, with the first heat on Friday, February 8, at 7.45 p.m., followed by the second on Friday, February 15, at 7.45 p.m.
‘The final is scheduled for Friday, February 22, at 7.45 p.m., too,’ said Helen.
There are junior and senior competitions in various categories, including singing, music, dancing, novelty acts, lip sync, recitation, with sole and group sections for some categories.
‘For the dancing category, anyone 11 years old and under is considered junior,’ said Helen. ‘For the rest of the categories in the junior section it is 14 years old and under.’
Two acts from each category will go through to the final night and then a special judge, who will be announced at a later date, will have the tough job of deciding the winners in the junior and senior sections.
Doors will open at 7 p.m. nightly, with the first act due on stage at 7.45 p.m. Entry is €5 for adults and €3 for children. The event is a fundraiser for the upkeep and running of Kilanerin Parish Hall.
Opportunity Knocks started in 1989 and the idea came about from Fr Paddy O’Brien, the parish priest of Kilanerin at the time. Approximately 3,000 acts have performed over the 30 years.
The funds that have been generated from Opportunity Knocks went towards improvements to Shamrock Hall, and the committee is grateful to those who have supported them over the years.