:: Benefit Evening at Eamonn's Irish Pub  

 Featuring Frank Jaklitsch and Friends ::

 

www.FrankJak.com

Singer, song writer and versatile guitarist, Frank Jaklitsch is one of the Capital District's treasures with a big heart.

Frank is known throughout the area as the song man.  Frank works for the state of New York but devotes much of his free time to performing at local venues.

Frank arranges and hosts a number of free concerts throughout the year for many non-profit and community organizations.  Organizations that Frank has donated his time and talent to are the Joseph Walsh Benefit, Wildwood Center, Adopt-A-Native-Elder Program, Unity House of Troy, Celtic Concert For A Cure, The Sojourn House Benefit, the Catholic Charities of Albany and Rensselaer Counties, as well as a number of church organizations.

Frank has recorded a number of CDs which he sells for cost on his web site or at one of his performances.  I have reviewed "Pray For Me" here on Capital Celtic and would recommend it.

His new CD titled "Lita" (named after his dog) is a collection of twenty-two songs, over seventy-five minutes, featuring area artists Steve Butler, John Cromie, Victor Gagnon, and Scotty West.  These are just a few of his many friends that speak only good things about Frank, his love for music and people.

For a complete selection of Frank's CDs
visit his web site at:
www.FrankJak.com

Review by: EEHealy

Published: Capital Celtic Network
Year Written: 2004
 

Frank begins to tune for the start of another evening of ballads, songs and good ole entertainment.  It is a labor of love for Frank who is known throughout the Capital District as one of the most versatile artists.

Julie is prepared to serve up your favorite tap.  There is also a standard menu of Irish Pub delights severed at every event from the kitchen.

Here the evening gets started with Frank, Scotty West on fiddle and Keith Barney on whistles.

Here are some of the volunteers with CoNSERNS-U who received the donations that were gathered for the local benefit. 

Four times a year at the beginning of each season Frank hosts a benefit to collect special items that aid the benevolence of the Catholic Charities of Albany and Rensselaer Counties.

This focus was on the personal care items.  In the Fall the focus is for coats and warm clothing.  At Christmas time the focus is for toys and other gifts for children.

Keith Barney,  Mike Roche and Frank sing together and the house joins in as the spirit of fun begins to spread with toes tapping and hands clapping.

Every Sunday evening from about 5 to 9 PM Eamonn's features a special family style program.  Many Irish music lovers come to join in the fun and entertainment.  The entertainment is Frank Jaklitsch and many of his friends who join in to a real CEILIDH.

Now a real  CEILIDH (pronounced kay-lee), Gaelic for party, has started with Frank, Scotty West on fiddle Mike Roche vocal, Steve Butler on Bodran and Keith Barney on whistles.

Early Monday morning June 20, 2005  Eamonn's Irish Pub & Restaurant was destroyed by fire ending 14 years of service to the Irish community.

This is just one year after the death of its owner Eamonn McGirr in 2004.

Only the memories of friends and fellowship remain, bringing to an end one of the Capital District's great Irish places to be on St. Patrick's Day.

Although Eamonn's is a memory, the friends who gathered there to support community charities, hear great music and celebrate their Irish Heritage will continue through the music and efforts of great people like "Frank Jaklitsch and Friends",  as well as all the others who performed there over the years. 

Remember, "Proud to be Irish"...