Barleyjuice will be having fun in Wildwood this weekend ... you can too!
Big goings-on at the shore this weekend: The inaugural Irish Summer Fest in Wildwood kicks off on Friday night with the critically acclaimed Celtic Crossroads show at the Wildwoods Convention Center, repeated on Saturday night.
This whole weekend you can see a wide variety of Celtic artists, from the popular Barleyjuice and Raining Hearts (the enormously talented daughters of Barleyjuice’s Kyf Brewer), Roger Drawdry and the Firestarters, Nae Breeks, an ensemble pipe and drum band, and Philly and Dublin’s own John Byrne Band, who’ve been tapped to play for former British PM Tony Blair when he receives the Liberty Medal in Philadelphia in September. It’s also your chance to hear Boxty, a duo made up of Miltown Malbay’s Fintan Malone and Kevin Brennan, formerly with Van Morrison.
There are also workshops in everything from tin whistle to bodhran, vendors, food, Irish dancers and story telling for the kids by Terry Harris, author of “The Loneliest Leprechaun” and Sean McCabe.
Part of the proceeds from the event will go to Access to Art, a local nonprofit that brings music, dance, and art to residents of Cape May County; The Forgotten Irish Fund, which aids Irish immigrants to Britain; and the Irish Way, a study abroad program for American students interested in learning about Irish history and culture.
This is the last weekend for Bethlehem’s Musikfest, where Barleyjuice (wow, they’re busy!), Enter the Haggis, and Blackwater will be on stage on Saturday.
On Sunday, the tone is serious. The Mayo Association of Philadelphia is holding its annual Out Lady of Knock Mass at the Irish Center in Philadelphia. This year there will be a special dedication of an Our Lady of Knock stature sculptured in Knock, County Mayo, before the Mass begins. A dinner follows after the Mass.
A basilica stands on the ground in Knock where, in 1979, five people said they saw an apparition of Our Lady, St. Joseph, and St, John the Baptist at a small parish church. Behind them was a lamb, the symbol of Christ, on an altar.
On Wednesday, August 18, you’re in for a treat—The High Kings will be doing two shows at Brittingham’s. The first may be sold out (call and check) but they’ve added a second, 10 PM show. If you’ve seen them on PBS, here’s your chance to see them up close and personal.
On Friday, Villanova opens an exhibit called “The Quiet Men,” paintings by a group of Irish artists working in London whose works reflect the “outsider” nature of being an Irishman in England. The Irish Times newspaper called it “powerful work,” and it will be on display through October 6. On September 10, there will be an artists’ reception and artist Brian Whelan will discuss the paintings.
Next Saturday, the Second Annual Irish Picnic sponsored by the Irish Club of Delaware County will take place at the Knights of Columbus de LaSalle Pool in Springfield, Delaware County. The event, which was rained out earlier in the summer, features the band, Round Tower, a DJ, food, and vendors.
Check out the calendar for all the details.
