Musicians of all ages at the Plough and Stars
After the long holiday hoohah, it looks like Philly’s Irish are taking a break.
The main event this week is a meeting Monday night to discuss Senate Bill 1983, which would allow Irish professionals to live and work in the United States on E3 work visas. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at Finnigan’s Wake at 2nd and Spring Garden in Philadelphia.
If you’re a fan of the prolific Irish author Edna O’Brien, you’ll definitely want to take in “She Moved Through the Fair,” a comitragedy about the life and loves of an Irish countrywoman. The play, based on the works of O’Brien, is performed by actress Polly MacIntyre. It’s on stage at the Centre Theatre Montgomery County Cultural
Center, 202 DeKalb Street in Norristown. Show time are Saturday the 14th at 8 p.m. and Sunday the 15th at 2 p.m. For details, visit the website.
Other than that, there is something of a lull in the proceedings. (Don’t worry; it won’t last. It never does.) So it seems like a good time to draw your attention to the wonderful Irish music that happens all around us most days of the week. We’re talking about the traditional Irish music session, an often hours-long total immersion experience that draws in many of our best Irish fiddlers, pipers, whistlers and what-all. They circle up on their chairs and stools and they slam through reels, barn dances and jigs, and many other tunes whose names they can’t remember. The tunes are free, but because sessions usually are held in a bar or restaurant, you’ll have to order food and/or drinks. (We presume beer and fish and chips is not a hardship.)
One or more of these rollicking affairs takes place most days of every week, but if you really want to see what we’re talking about, let’s look at Sunday. We’re lousy with sessions on that day, including:
Traditional Irish Music Brunch
McCarthy’s Tea Room
534 Main Street
Bethlehem
610-866-3244
http://www.donegalsquare.com/mysitecaddy/site3/mccarthys.htm
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Molly Maguire’s Irish Restaurant and Pub
329 W. Main St.
Lansdale
267-421-9257
http://www.mollymaguireslansdale.com/
3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Supper and Session
Molly Maguire’s Restaurant and Pub
197 Bridge St.
Phoenixville
www.mollymaguirespubs.com
610-933-9550
4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Plough and Stars
2nd Street, between Market and Chestnut
Philadelphia
215-733-0300
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Check out any one of them this weekend. Note well: Session times shift from time to time. At this time of year, that usually depends on the start time of the Eagles game. No more worries on that score.
