Gamanfa Ganu brings music to Gomer

GOMER - The 91st Annual Gamanfa Ganu will officially begin at 7 p.m. Sunday in Gomer, but festivities leading up to the traditional Welsh festival of songs will begin as early as Saturday night at the Gomer United Church of Christ.

Pronounced Ga-mahn-va-ga-nee, Gamanfa Ganu celebrates Welsh history and culture with hymns and the coming together of a community with strong Welsh roots. A barbecue chicken dinner is 5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the church. Tickets are $7. A vocal recital by Gomer resident Kathleen Sunderland is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. Sunderland is a senior in music education at The Ohio State University. She will graduate in June 2009, according to Elizabeth Roberts, committee person for Gamanfa Ganu.

And at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, a light lunch will be provided before the main performance. There is no charge for Sunday's events, but freewill donations will be accepted, Roberts said.

"We have our own hymn book in English and Welsh (but) there aren't too many people who speak Welsh," she said.

Songs will be sung mostly in English, with a few phrases in Welsh, Roberts said.

Gomer native Patricia Bowers Schultz, a retired professor of music at Northwest Missouri State University, will direct the Gamanfa Ganu. She and her sister, Teresa Bowers Barnes, will sing a duet, Roberts said. Harp music will be provided by Nancy Glick, of Arlington. For details on the Gamanfa Ganu or to purchase tickets for Saturday's dinner, call 419-642-2681.

WHAT: Gamanfa Ganu

WHEN: 5 p.m. Saturday; 3 and 7 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Gomer United Church of Christ, 7350 Gomer Road

COST: Music is free; chicken dinners $7

FOR MORE INFO: 419-642-2681