They're doing a benefit for the Little Sisters of the Poor.
The month of March is nearly upon us, and from now on, the Irish will be defining the phrase “March madness.” We are about to be awash in all things Celtic, from shamrock shakes and deely bobbers to pipe and drum bands and some of the best Irish music you’ll hear on this side of the Atlantic.
Speaking of the best Irish music you’ll hear. . . we’re going to start with the end of the week when Anne Marie O’Riordan, one of Ireland’s rising stars, kicks off her first American tour at the Irish Center on Friday night, March 5. O’Riordan, a 20-year-old college student from Cork, has been singing professionally since she was 12, when she sand “Pádraig Óg Mo Chro” on a Comhaltas Ceoltoir Eireann CD called “Down Erin’s Lovely Lee.” She recorded her first solo CD at 14 and her second at 16, mixing traditional tunes with popular Irish country songs. She’s introducing her third CD, “Ireland—Love of My Heart,” during the American tour which is taking her to New York, New Jersey, New England before she returns to Philadelphia on March 13 for a performance at the Devon Theater in Philadelphia. She’s been in the St. Patrick’s Day parade and will be performing at the Irish Center afterwards.
On the same evening, The Irish Tenors are performing at the Liacouras Center at Temple University as a benefit for the Little Sisters of the Poor, who operate the Holy Family Home for the Aged in Southwest Philadelphia. No offense to the late Pavarotti and friends, but the Irish make the best tenors and this group, with five PBS specials and seven albums (the latest is “Ireland”) under their belts, sing like angels, even without their former compatriot Ronan Tynan (who will be performing the day after, solo, at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside).
Before we back up, let’s go forward a little. There’s the aforementioned Ronan Tynan in Glenside on March 6. The same night, the Chicago-based traditional music group, BUA, makes another appearance at the Irish Center, fronted by Brian O’hairt. Superb musicians who have played solo and with other performers (people like Aoife Clancy, Martin Hayes, Liz Carroll, Paddy Keenan, and Liz Carroll) they form a winning combination. If you’re down in Delaware, you have Gaelic Storm at the Grand Opera House—relive every Irish viewers’ favorite scene from “Titanic” with this group that provided all the great music Leonardo Di Caprio danced to below decks. (Right, I know your favorite scene was the one in which Kate Winslet posed naked for Leo, but I’m pretending you went for the music.)
Okay, now we back up. Early on Saturday, February 27, those crazy polar bear types are plunging into the frigid Atlantic in N. Wildwood again—all to raise money the Philadelphia Fallen Heroes Survival Fund, a program operated by the city’s Fraternal Order of Police. God bless ‘em. There will be eating, drinking, and music afterwards, including Timmy Kelly and the Camden County Pipes and Drums. What, you thought they were just going to towel off and go home?
If you’re a Blackthorn fan, you probably already know they’re playing a benefit at Holy Child Academy in Drexel Hill on Saturday, February 27. Get there early or order tickets now. Blackthorn sells out pretty quickly.
Also Saturday night, the Irish Club of Delaware County is holding a beef and beer at R.P.Murphy’s in Holmes. There’s music, dancing, food and drink, all to raise money for the Club’s educational programs.
On Sunday, the John Byrne Group, Timlin and Kane, and many other local musicians will be playing at a fundraiser for the Sunday Irish Radio Shows on WTMR 800 AM at The Shanachie Pub and Restaurant in Ambler. Tune in between 11 and 1 that morning to donate to save the shows—then come to the musical fundraiser.
The Philadelphia Flower Show opens on Sunday, and features Irish harpist Moya Brennan, Irish cookbook authors, and Irish garden experts. Irish Heritage Day at the show is on Monday, sponsored by Tourism Ireland.
Also on Sunday—hear RUNA at the Sellersville Theater or attend the Grand Marshall’s dinner in Mt. Holly in advance of what’s usually the first parade to step off the curb every year (on March 6 this year).
On Monday, the Glengharry Boys are booked at the Sellersville Theatre; on Thursday, Cherish the Ladies (you must see them at least once before you die) are performing at the Grand Opera in Wilmington.
This is one busy week (we didn’t even cover all the regular things, which you can find on our calendar), but next week is even worse. . .or better, depending on how you look at it. Stay tuned!
