Raise your voices up.

Last night the Hillside Pioneer Memorial Church 'got it's green on', hosting an Irish dinner and entertainment with Rev. Jolyn Campbell and Noah's Larks.

For this occasion, they were Noah's O'Larks, and they were wonderfully into the spirit of the occasion.

With a great 'family style' dinner of Irish stew, cabbage salad and soda bread to settle everyone in, the entire room got into the singing.

Hats off to the Great Good Sports who helped act out some of the songs...

Charlie donning his wee kilt for a nod of the head to the Scots in a rousing rendition of Johnny, Where's Yer Trousers?

Jan, for taking on the part of the rather active village Dad in another song... and while I have no photos, no-one will soon forget the marvellous ladies who lead us through Seven Old Ladies got locked in the Lavatory.

With more than 70 people in the room, there is an obvious hunger for evenings like this -- where the entertainment is made by everyone, and not spoon fed through a television monitor.

Every table had a joke to present -- in the best Irish tradition, and several of the audience stepped up to recount an adventure they'd had in Ireland, or with their Irish ancestors. Such as the lady who's very Irish grandpa asked her to pour him a 'finger' of whiskey with his breakfast. She measured it out carefully. He took the shot glass, raised it to the heavens, and intoned, "Lord, we're having communion this morning"

What good fun, what good company, what a great time had by blending voices together to build not only strong songs but stronger communities. Well done, everyone.