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Rockin’ in the New Year at the K of C

Kirk deCordova | December 2006

While many Dallasites headed to black tie affairs or their local watering holes to welcome the New Year, a party was happening right in Lake Highlands that rivaled any of them. The annual New Year’s Eve Gala at the Knights of Columbus, 799, was the site of gourmet fare as well as some great entertainment to boot. On the culinary side, the annual gala offered delicious lamb and prime rib along with all the side dishes and a full dessert bar.

While the food was fantastic, the real focus of the evening was the entertainment. Whether from a DJ or a live band, there was plenty of opportunity to get up and show what you could do on the dance floor. The first band that rocked the evening was a local group called Ale Brje. This talented group played a variety of cover tunes from rock to Latino and even disco. When Ale Brje had finished their set, it was time for the evening’s headliners, The Killdares.

The Killdares have been around for almost ten years now. Many people have seen them perform at the State Fair of Texas or at countless area clubs and festivals. The band plays their own brand of hard-driving rock with a Celtic flair. Not only do The Killdares feature drums, bass and electric guitar, what sets them apart from the rest is the clever addition of fiddle and bagpipes. On New Year’s Eve, all of these sounds fused together for an unforgettable night of music featuring songs from the group’s latest album, Any Given Element. The band played three sets during the gala, but the last set was the one that ushered in the New Year of 2006. The Killdares brought the evening to a climax by hammering out their own rendition of "Amazing Grace" followed by a high-energy version of "Auld Lang Syne".

After the clock hit midnight and the traditional kisses had been firmly planted, the band came back for one more tune. This time, they delivered an electrified version of Peter, Paul and Mary’s, "Leaving On a Jet Plane". A hearty round of applause capped off the evening as the DJ played into the night. If we have the luck of the Irish, perhaps we’ll see The Killdares ringing in 2007 at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

If you would like to know more about The Killdares and their new album, you can visit their website at www.killdares.com/