How to Be Irish in Philly This Week

Celtic Weekend, the raucous celebration of the Glagow Celtics, who are facing Real Spain on Saturday at The Linc, continues through the weekend with music (Charlie and the Bhoys from Glasgow and Raymond Coleman and Oliver McElhone from Ireland and Philly); strange sports (poolball at Fado); breakfast at The Plough and Fado; and a Celtic dance party (at Fado).

Also continuing: Musikfest in Bethlehem, featuring Celtic acts such as Burning Bridget Cleary, Fighting Jamesons, and The Prodigals.

On Saturday, meet 11-year-old Corey Hughes, who came to the US from Ireland with his family in 2010 and is facing a mountain of medical expenses resulting from a rare form of cancer called synovial sarcoma. His friends are holding a fundraising beef and beer at The District Council 21 Painters and Allied Trade Unions Hall in Philadelphia. Rusty Bass and Raymond Coleman will provide the music.

Also on Saturday, the Glengarry Bhoys from Ontario will be presenting their blend of rock and Celtic styles at the Sellersville Theatre.

If you’re down the shore, catch Jamison at Shenanigans in Sea Isle City on Saturday night.

On Wednesday, the Irish Thunder Pipes and Drums will give a free concert in a beautiful location–the Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge National Park. Come early and bring your own lawn chair, snacks and drinks.

On Thursday, a freebie from Blackthorn: a concert in Rose Tree Park in Media. It’s an annual event that was washed out last year by torrential rain. In Bethlehem, remarkable fiddler Tony DeMarco will be giving workshops and participating in the session at McCarthy’s Tea Room in Bethlehem. See our calendar for details on how you can learn from the best.

It’s a few weeks away, but here’s an early call to mark your calendars for the 38th Annual Philadelphia Ceili Group Irish Music and Dance Festival, September 6-8, at the Irish Center in Philadelphia. It’s a doozy this year, starting off with singer’s night on Thursday hosted by singer and multi-instrumentalist Gabriel Donohue, a ceili dance on Friday night featuring the McGillians and Friends, one of the foremost ceili bands in the region as well as Sean Tyrell’s one-man show, “Who Killed James Joyce” for you non-dancers; and on Saturday, a host of workshops including singing in both Irish and English, Irish language, genealogy; St. Brigid’s Cross making and programs for children followed by an evening concert with world class Irish piper Paddy Keenan and De Dannan, featuring the lovely singing voice of Eleanor Shanley and some of the founding members of this Galway-based band.