Anthony Kearns to Perform at 113th Annual St. Patrick's Day Banquet in Chicago, 3/14

World-renowned tenor Anthony Kearns, of The Irish Tenors, will be a featured entertainer at the 113th Annual St. Patrick's Day Banquet hosted by the Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago on Friday, March 14, 2014, it was announced.

"We're excited to have famed Irish Tenor Anthony Kearns join us for this wonderful celebration of the Irish season," said Kathy Taylor, executive director of the Irish Fellowship Club. Taylor said other featured guests will include Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and John McDonough, President and CEO of the Chicago Blackhawks and Grand Marshal of the 2014 Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade, among others.

The event annually draws 600-800 guests and will take place at the historic Hilton Chicago, with cocktails at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 7:00 p.m. Kearns, who enjoys a robust international solo career, will be introduced by this year's Master of Ceremonies, Devon C. Bruce, partner of Power Rogers & Smith, and Board Member of the American Ireland Fund in Chicago.

Mr. Kearns said, "I'm delighted to be a part of this year's St. Patrick's Day gala hosted by the Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago - an evening which embodies rich history and deep friendships." Kearns will sing the beloved Irish ballad, "Danny Boy," and a few other favorites. He will be accompanied by Dean Roland of the City Lights Orchestra.

Founded in 1902, The Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago is the city's oldest and most celebrated Irish organization. The Club has witnessed some of America's greatest legends at its annual dinners. Past speakers and honored guests included President William Taft; Padraic Colum (well-known Irish poet, novelist, and playwright); Vice President Harry Truman, then-Senator John F. Kennedy, and many others. The hotel itself is a Chicago landmark that overlooks Lake Michigan. It has housed every president of the United States since its opening in 1927.

This year's honored guests include Sean Sherlock, T.D., Irish Minister for Enterprise and Innovation; Christopher Kennedy, former president of Merchandise Mart Properties and son of the late U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy; Chicago Alderman Edward M. Burke; Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke; President of the Illinois Senate, John Cullerton; and others.

Last year, Kearns performed as the guest of U.S. Speaker of the House, John Boehner, at the 2013 Friends of Ireland Lunch at the U.S. Capitol. Special guests included President Barack Obama, approximately 100 Members of Congress, and a foreign delegation that included Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny. President Obama led the standing ovation. www.anthonykearnsmusic.com

On March 16, 2014, Kearns will join The Irish Tenors for their annual March tour, beginning in Key Largo, FL. They will also travel to Clearwater, FL, Sarasota, FL, Knoxville, TN, Morgantown, WV, and Virginia Beach. www.theirishtenorsmusic.com. His new CD, "With a Song in My Heart," can be found at: www.anthonykearnstenor.com.

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