This is also Irish traditional dancing.
As you’re reading this, they’re already jigging their little hearts out at the Mid-Atlantic Oireachtas, the annual Thanksgiving weekend Irish dance competition held in Philadelphia. All the little boys and girls—and even grownups—will be movin’ and groovin’ at the Downtown Marriott all weekend, from 8 to 6 PM. Admission is only $15, though parking is another story.
This is actually a good week to be Irish in Philly, especially if you like Celtic-rock fusion. Enter the Haggis, the popular Celtic rockers from Canada, are playing Friday night at the World Café Live in town. The Broken Shillelaghs will be rocking out at The Auld Dubliner in Gloucester City, NJ on Saturday night. And on Sunday, some of the best local Irish bands will be playing at Finnigan’s Wake on Second Street in Philly for the Irish Winterfest 2008—that’s Paddy’s Well, the Bogside Rogues, the Sean Fleming Band, and the Hooligans, all under one great big roof. There will also be Irish dancers, vendors, and workshops at a venue where it always seems like there’s a party is going on.
The Boys of the Lough will be giving their tour of traditional Celtic music from wherever it’s played, from the Shetland Islands to Brittany, at the Sellersville Theatre on Sunday afternoon. It’s a great, comfy venue, with no bad seats–a terrific place to bring the entire clan. The Washington House Restaurant is right next door with its comfy bar and homey dining rooms—you can make a special family day of it.
If you’re in Wilmington, get into the spirit with Christmas with the Celtic Tenors at The Grand on Sunday night. If you mention “Green Willow” when ordering tickets, you get a discount.
In Bethlehem, the Celtic Cultural Alliance (those wonderful folks who bring you the Celtic Classic every year) will hold its first Celtic Music Night, featuring local faves, Barleyjuice, at the Bethlehem BrewWorks on Main Street in the Christmas City (and we do mean that—Bethlehem does it up bigtime during this season). Get a little shopping in at the Moravian Bookstore, then head over to the BrewWorks for a burger, artisan beer, and some music. There’s lots of parking and it doesn’t cost as much as it does in Philly. Then put it on your calendar for every first Monday. We’re going to.
If you want to really get outta town, The Church of the Holy Family in Sewell, NJ, is offering a bus trip on Thursday, December 4, to see the Celtic-flavored Magic of Christmas show at Carnegie Hall, featuring Andy Cooney, who is a dreamy looking as he sounds, with harpist Aileen O’Donnell, violinist Vladimir Tablokov (he’s not Irish), the Mark Miller Gospel Choir and the Children’s Festival Chorus.
Closer to home, the Shanachie Irish Pub in Ambler is hosting a dynamic trio on Thursday night: Guitarist and singer John Doyle, performer and folklorist Mick Moloney (who knows more about the Philly Irish music tradition than just about anyone), and amazing fiddler Athena Tergis. Not to be missed, and I’m planning to limp there myself.
On Friday, Irish singer John MacNally will be performing a fundraiser for St. Mary’s Parish at the Gloucester High School gym in Gloucester, NJ. And the Irish Rovers will be at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside. I’m humming “The Unicorn” song already.
And mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 9, for Teada’s Christmas Tour with former Solas singer Karen Casey, harpist Grainne Hambley, uillean piper Tommy Martin, and Teada’s own Sean McElwain and others at the Irish Center in Mount Airy. It’s sure to be a magical evening. And we could all use a little magic these days, couldn’t we?
Check out our calendar not just for this week, but for the next couple of months. We just added new events that you’re sure to want to put on your calendar (in fact, you can ask our calendar to do that for you!).
If you’re out Christmas shopping, remember to visit your friendly local Irish shop. See our listing for the address of a retail store near you. And check out our pub finder for a nice spot to rest your weary feet (and wet your thirsty whistle) during the Christmas shopping season. We all need to do our parts to keep the Irish community healthy and vibrant.
