Direct from Ireland, Michael Black will be at the Penn-Mar Irish Festival this weekend.
Here’s a few things Dad might like this weekend, as we celebrate the joys of fatherhood.
The 11th annual Penn-Mar Irish Festival in Glen Rock, PA, is this weekend. Always an incredible lineup of musicians, and this year you’ll see Michael Black (of Ireland’s famous Black family) and a special tribute performance to Patrick Halloran of the band Ceann, who died last February in a car accident. Also on stage: Amhranai Na Gaeilge, Irish Blessing, Martin Family Band, Nua (formerly Rossnareen), and The Spalpeens.
Proceeds from the event benefit Penn-Mar Human Services, a nonprofit agency that provides support services to disabled people and their families.
“Gibraltar,” an adaptation of James Joyce’s Ulysses (Bloomsday was Thursday) is at the Plays & Players Theatre in Delancey Place in Philadelphia on Saturday.
There’s a session Saturday at the AOH Notre Dame Div. 1 Club House in Swedesburg and Belfast Connection, who have been known to show up at these sessions, will be otherwise engaged playing a gig at Brittinghams in Lafayette Hill. If you miss them Saturday night, they’ll be at the Burlap and Bean Coffee House in Newtown Square on Friday, June 24. Local trad musicians Mary Malone (fiddle) and Den Vykopal (pipes) will be joining them.
Later in the week, you might want to head down to Delaware (hey, it’s not that far away) for a performance by The Outside Track, a Celtic group whose members—and music–hail from Scotland, Ireland, Cape Breton and Vancouver. They’ll be at the Lower Brandywine Church on Thursday.
The ever energetic AOH Notre Dame Division 1 is hosting a “Last Friday,” this one with Oliver taking the stage from 7:30-10:30 PM.
Seems like every sports team wants to cash in on Philly’s Irish roots by sponsoring an Irish theme night, and the Philadelphia Soul arena football team is no exception. They’ll be serving green beer (uh-oh, plastic paddy faux pas!) and live Irish bands and dancers throughout the evening Saturday, June 25, at the Wells Fargo Center. And they’ll also be playing the Arizona Rattlers. Maybe Bon Jovi will come out and do a hornpipe. Stranger things have happened.
If you’re down the shore, particularly if you’re in North Wildwood, check into Caseys on Third where the band, Jamison, will be jamming.
And next Sunday, jig on down to the waterfront in Bristol Borough for its 15th annual Celtic Day celebration featuring bands No Irish Need Apply, the Martin Family Band, and the Bogside Rogues. The McCoy and Fitzpatrick Schools of Irish Dance will be performing too. Bring a lawn chair.
And check our calendar for all the details.
