An eclectic—one might even day “odd”–mix of events this week, from a Celtic worship service to an immigration reform “happy hour” to a performance by The Band of the Irish Guards. We’re going to peek into next week a little because there’s a fabulous music event coming up that you trad fans won’t want to miss.
First up: Tune in to 800AM between 11 AM and 1 PM on Sunday to learn how you can support the WTMR Irish radio shows. Fundraisers last year kept the shows going for seven months, but that money has run out. You can make a donation to the shows by sending a check made out to WTMR Radio (that’s important–it has to be made out to the station) to WTMR Radio-Sunday Irish Radio Shows, 2775 Mount Ephraim Ave, Camden, NJ 08104. Mark the envelope “ATTN: Vince Gallagher and Marianne MacDonald.”
St. Thomas Church in Whitemarsh is holding its monthly Celtic worship service on Sunday at 5:30 PM. Read our story explaining what it’s all about.
On Tuesday, join representatives from the Philadelphia Irish Immigration Center at Tir na nOg pub and restaurant in Center City to learn about how the new immigration reform bill could affect Irish immigrants. There will be “happy hour” specials for those who attend. There are other immigration meetings going on throughout the city next week, but I believe this one will be the most fun along with being informative. Way to go, Irish!
Pipe and drum aficionados, listen up: The Band of the Irish Guards will be performing at the Stabler Arena in Bethlehem on Thursday night. Also featured: the Pipes, Drums and Highland dancers of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. What a sound!
If you’re marching in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade this year, you have a meeting on Thursday night at the Doubletree in Philadelphia at 8 PM to pay up and pick up your badges. That apparently means that there will be a parade this year. Yay!
Frank McCourt’s “The Irish and How They Got That Way” is playing through April at the Kimmel Center. If you mention the word “special” you get 20 percent off your ticket price. It’s the Irish discount.
Peeking into the following week: AOH Div. 87 is holding its annual beef and beer fundraiser at Finnigan’s Wake in Philadelphia on Sunday, January 17. Paddy’s Well is playing. As always, money raised at AOH events goes to charities large and small.
Later on Sunday night, three incredible trad musicians will be playing at the Coatesville Cultural Society. Singer-guitarist Pat Egan, his wife, flutist Laura Byrne Egan, and Brooklyn-born accordian player Bill McComiskey not only play together regularly, but teach others to play at the Baltimore Irish Arts Center. The Egans were recently in Philadelphia with Jim Eagan for an Ed Reavy tribute at the Irish Center.
As always, there’s a session just about every night of the week in the Philly area. One of our new year’s resolutions is to get to every one of them. Maybe you should add that to your list too!
Check the calendar for details.
