Milton Musician and Christine Devlin’s Showband Bring Irish Music Night to Summerfest-July 26, 1983

On July 26, 1983, Norwood Summerfest was set to bring a vibrant touch of Ireland to the town green with an upcoming performance by Christine Devlin’s Showband. Part of the fifth installment of the summer performing arts festival sponsored by the Norwood Arts Council, the free outdoor concert was scheduled for 7 p.m. at the town hall and VFW area on Town Square, with a rain location designated at the former Aaron Guild School on Washington Street across from Norwood Hospital.

The band features lead singer and rhythm guitarist Christine Devlin, who grew up in Westwood and had lived in Norwood for three years; Kevin Hession of Walpole, formerly of Norwood, on Irish accordion and bass guitar; Carmine DiMascio of Westwood on lead and bass guitar and vocals; and Edward Healy of Milton on drums. The ensemble originally formed at the Blarneystone Pub in Dorchester and had since performed at numerous regional venues, including the Cornerstone in South Boston, Jumpin’ Jacks in Whitman, and the Irish Village on Cape Cod. In addition to the live music, Summerfest organizers held weekly prize drawings funded by ticket sales (three for $1 donated by area merchants) to support the ongoing concert series. Meanwhile, local cable television Channel 14 announced upcoming “Encore” programming featuring taped broadcasts of the previous “Razmataz” swing-era concert, the St. Anthony Festival events at St. Catherine’s Church, and the Norwood High School graduation ceremony.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger