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Thursday, August 27, 2009
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The voice of Riverdance Irish singer McMahon to headline Monson benefit
AITKIN - Katie McMahon, known as The Voice of Riverdance, and nine dancers will perform from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday at the Aitkin High School auditorium for a cancer benefit.
Mike Monson was diagnosed with mesothelioma last fall, had surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester and is undergoing treatment in Aitkin. Monson's cancer is a rare form in the abdominal lining that only two treatment centers in the U.S. had ever treated. Mayo attempted surgery/treatment with direction from a New York facility.
"If successful, this benefit performance would greatly help with the medical expenses and loss of income," said Janie Nolan in a news release. "All we need to do is fill the seats. Anything you can do to help would be greatly appreciated."
Monson has been self-employed as a log home builder in the Aitkin, McGregor and Grand Rapids area for years. His wife, Lisa, works part time at DAC Mart in McGregor, and they have two children in Aitkin schools. Monson is an avid fan of Celtic music. He is well known for backing his truck up on his job sites so he can play his Celtic CDs loudly via his truck's stereo.
The benefit concert will be led by McMahon, known as "The Voice of Riverdance," who was the famous lead vocalist for the original and largest Riverdance production for five years and starred with dancers Michael Flatley and Jean Butler. She will be accompanied by her band: Marc Anderson, world percussionist; Karen Mueller, international autoharp champion; Zack Kline, Chicago's fiddle virtuoso; and backup singer Jenny Russ. Nine dancers also will perform.
McMahon, born in Dublin, Ireland, was discovered by Riverdance producers while performing with the internationally acclaimed a cappella group "Anuna" in Ireland. She currently performs with four-time platinum-award winning Secret Garden when she's not on her own worldwide tours. She has performed for kings, queens, presidents and celebrities, including former President Bill Clinton and U2's Bono. She also is a classically trained harpist, which concert-goers also will experience at Saturday's performance.
Nolan said McMahon's concerts sell out worldwide at a high price and are in high demand. Nolan said McMahon has agreed to bring in the singers, musicians and nine members of the dance troupe at a drastically reduced ticket price of $10 in order to enable entire families to attend and still contribute to the Mike Monson Cancer Benefit Fund at Bremer Bank in Aitkin.
Nolan said a performance of this caliber is a first for Aitkin, and a must-see event promising world-class lively music, haunting ballads, tremendous vocals and fabulous Irish dancers willing to help Monson and his family.
General admission tickets are on sale at Bremer Bank and Jeanie's in Aitkin, The Office Shop in Aitkin and Brainerd, The Palisade One-Stop and Sather's in the McGregor/Big Sandy Lake area.
Contributions may be sent to The Mike Monson Benefit Fund, c/o Bremer Bank, 101 Minnesota Ave. N., Aitkin MN 56431.
For more information call (218) 549-3207.
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