The pipes are calling at Graeme Park in Horsham.
Picnic!
We love picnics, especially when there’s a pool nearby. And there will be at the second annual Irish Club of Delaware County event at the Knights of Columbus De La Salle Pool in Springfield. The terrific local group, Round Tower, will be providing the musical accompaniment along with a DJ and the Celtic Flame Irish Dancers (who have the coolest sparkly red outfits). No need to bring a pic-a-nic basket, Yogi: It’s catered and beer and other drinks are available. Costs $20 for grown-ups, $7 for kids.
Other than that it’s a relatively slow week for big events (though there’s something Irish to do every day of the week—don’t believe me? Check the calendar!). One new entry to our calendar is open mic night at Downey’s Irish Restaurant at Front and Second, home of the famous Downey’s Irish Whiskey Cake on Mondays. Kevin Ricci is the host this Monday—so bring your party piece all you singers, musicians, and songwriters (doesn’t have to be Irish either). There are cheap drink specials ($2 shots of Jagermeister, so you know they’re catering to a young crowd because, ewwww, I’d rather chug vanilla extract and Scope).
Also, just a plug for a local musician: John Byrne (The John Byrne Band) has been getting boffo reviews for his first CD, “After the Wake,” and getting airplay on WXPN (he’s doing World Café Live Friday night, July 9). We think that someday you’ll be paying loads to see him on stage, so grab your chance to see him for free on Monday nights at Slainte, the great pub on Market Street across from 30th Street Station.
Likewise, newly local musician Enda Keegan is burning up the Internet with sales of tracks from his new CD, The Bridge. He’s still playing mostly in New York, but some smart publican in our area ought to snag him while it’s still possible. Just a thought.
Next Saturday, at Graeme Park in Horsham, celebrate your Celtic heritage with the Martin Family, the Hooligans, the Bucks Caledonian Band and other musicians, dancers, and vendors at this historic, Colonial-era home.
And on Tuesday, July 19, plan on heading to the Irish Center to hear Galway singer-songwriter Don Stiffe in his first Philadelphia showing, performing with Gabriel Donohue. Stiffe has a distinctive, goose-bump-raising voice and an eclectic playlist that includes everything from traditional ballads to Richard Thompson, his own tunes, and even some surprises (if you liked Nat King Cole’s version of “Mona Lisa,” wait till you hear Don’s take on this Jay Livingston song!). We talked to him this week and we’ll have an interview up next time.
