The Philadelphia Police and Fire Pipes and Drums. Photo by Lisa Marie Hunt.
A late addition to our calendar last week didn’t make it to Friday’s “How to be Irish” feature, so here it is:
On Friday, April 27, The Center for Emerging Visual Arts is hosting an exhibit called “Interchange: Contemporary Photography and Video from Ireland” at The Barclay in Philadelphia. The varied works provide a glimpse into contemporary Ireland. The exhibition is free and runs Monday through Friday, April 27 through May 18. At least one of the artists and the curator will be on hand on Friday night to answer questions.
Saturday, put up your dukes. Or rather, put up the cash to help the Young Irelands Gaelic Football Club raise some money with their fists (and, at least in one case, their feet). The YI’s are sponsoring “Fight Night” at The Irish Center in Mt. Airy, featuring local fighters. When we read the card, we recognized a couple of names, including Chuck Cawley. Last time we saw him, he was dancing. Cawley was one of the 16 volunteers who helped raise money for the Delco Gaels in the “Dance Like a Star” dance competition. Dancing, boxing. . .we like a Renaissance man. You go, Chuck!
Also on Saturday night, The Priests, the singing group from Northern Ireland (and yes, they’re priests) will be performing at the Scottish Rite Theatre in Collingswood, NJ.
Fiddler Randal Bays with guitarist Davey Mathias is at the Coatesville Cultural Center on Saturday night as well. Read our interview with this amazing fiddler.
What isn’t happening on Saturday night is the appearance of The John Byrne Band at Milkboy in Ardmore. Bryne broke a leg while competing in a soccer game with the Irish Network-Philly 7-a-side soccer team. He expects to be up and around in a few weeks, and probably the worse for wear. The gig will be rescheduled and you can find out about it on our calendar.
Sunday is a major “what shall I do?” kind of day.
In the afternoon, Jamison, Ballina, and the Philadelphia Police Pipes and Drums will be Irish-ing it up on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. It’s a Block Party on the Parkway to raise money for the Philadelphia Police and Firefighters Fallen Heroes Memorial. A great cause, a incomparable venue, and food and drink available at Con Murphy’s and Tir na Nog, right there in the ‘hood.
If you’re a fiddler or fiddler wannabe, Randal Bays will be offering a free fiddle workshop at West Chester University before he and partner Davey Mathias head over to Kildare’s West Chester for the session.
Cahal Dunne, the singer-songwriter and pianist, known as Ireland’s “happy man” will be performing at a fundraiser at the Lulu Temple in Plymouth Meeting on Sunday afternoon. All proceeds go to Shriners’ charities. Price includes lunch, beer, and setups.
There’s another benefit going on in Port Richmond. Raymond Coleman will be performing at the fundraiser to support the families of Irish Republican political prisoners. It’s being held at Bobby T’s Cigar Bar at Almond and Venango. There will be a bodhran raffle (the bodhran is an Irish drum) and buffet—and tickets are only $10 at the door.
All this week you also can catch “A Behanding in Spokane,” at Martin McDonagh play, at the Christ Church Neighborhood House in Philadelphia.
Check our calendar during the week–late additions are as common as dandelions on the lawn.
