Valentine’s Day offers ‘Rhapsody & Romance’ in Bay Ridge

February 11, 2015 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

The Rhapsody Players will donate all of the concert proceeds to Saint Patrick Catholic Academy in Bay Ridge. Image courtesy of John Heffernan

Share this:

Looking for that special present to give to the love of your life on Valentine’s Day? What could be more romantic than a concert?

The Rhapsody Players, a singing group that performs at charity concerts all over Brooklyn throughout the year, is presenting “Rhapsody & Romance,” a show celebrating love on the holiday dedicated to it.

The concert will take place on Valentine’s Day, Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Aldo Bruschi-Saint Patrick Auditorium on the corner of Fourth Avenue and 97th Street, starting at 7:30 p.m.

The Players – John Heffernan, Eileen Monahan, Colleen Martin O’Donnell, Anthony Marino, Bernard Smith, Donna Heffernan, Kieran Hamilton and Kevin Sweeney – will be singing the best of ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and ’80s love songs in a cabaret atmosphere.

“It will give people a chance to come out of the cold and enjoy a warm, cozy night hearing great love songs,” John Heffernan told the Brooklyn Eagle on Monday.

The concert will also feature a guest appearance by Connor Mayrose, a talented young singer from Bay Ridge.

Heffernan, who is the founder of the Rhapsody Players, said the audience can expect to hear such timeless classics as “Hello” by Lionel Richie, “Where is the Love?” by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway and “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” by Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond.

“We’ll sing those and a lot of other songs, too. It’s going to be a night where you can sit back, relax and enjoy a night of great music,” Heffernan said.

You don’t have to be in love to enjoy the idea of love, according to Heffernan, who said it is okay to come to the concert even if you don’t have a date.

“It’s not just romantic love that we’re singing about. The show is going to be a celebration of love in all of its forms. It’s a celebration of love of family, friends and the community. It’s not just a couples thing,” he said.

All of the proceeds from the concert will be donated to Saint Patrick Catholic Academy at 401 97th St.

The Rhapsody Players exists for the sole purpose of raising money for charity, Heffernan explained. The singing group is registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a 501-C3 non-profit organization. The group performs in concert to raise money for schools, hospitals and charity organizations.

Admission to the concert is $20 per person and includes coffee and dessert. Wine and beer will also be sold at the show.

The evening will also include a 50-50 raffle.

For ticket information, contact Heffernan at [email protected] or call 646-335-2710.