You’ll be seeing a lot of this in Philly this week.
It’s turkey week and you’d think all would be quiet on the Irish front, but it’s not. Guess not everybody has to make stuffing, bake pies, iron tablecloths, polish silver and clean up before and after.
For example, it’s Mid-Atlantic Oireachtas Week! Hundreds of Irish dancers will descend upon the Philadelphia Downtown Marriott for three days of competition, from the littlest step dancers to adult dancers. If you’ve never been to an Oireachtas, it’s worth a trip. They are literally jigging in the aisles. You’ll be reeling.
But before that:
This Saturday, Jamison is performing at RP McMurphy’s in Holmes. And it’s Irish night in Glenside, lots of music, dancing, food and vendors to benefit the Glenside Gaelic Club and the Sean McBride Div. 2 of AOH.
On Sunday, the annual AOH/LAOH Winterfest Fundraiser, featuring live performances all day by Bogside Rogues, Celtic Connection, and other bands, takes place at Finnigan’s Wake in Philadelphia.
The Shantys are cutting it close with a happy hour performance at Paddywhacks at Welsh Road and the Boulevard on Wednesday night. That’s also the evening that Slainte performs at Curran’s in Bensalem and the Young Ireland Gaelic Football Club holds its Thanksgiving Eve Beef and Beer fundraiser at Paddy Rooney’s Pub in Havertown.
And if that’s not enough for you on Thanksgiving Eve: It’s Celtic Invasion at the World Café Live in Philadelphia! Invading are Barleyjuice, which has a new CD out, as well as Garaahan’s Ghost and Celtic Cross.
On Friday, catch Olive McElhone at JT Brewski’s in Primos, PA. (We saw him last night at St. Declan’s Well Pub in University City and he’s terrific.)
Or you can “get your Irish up” with Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfetones at the MacSwiney Club, that hotbed of republicanism and music, in Jenkintown.
Or you can hear harpist Ellen Tepper play a holiday concert at historic Glen Foerd on the Delaware on Grant Avenue in Philadelphia.
A week from this Saturday, the Donegal Association holds its 125th Ball and the Mary from Dungloe Pageant. There are nine smart, lovely women of Irish descent competing for the crown—and the trip to Ireland. That’s held every year at The Irish Center in Philadelphia.
On that following day—the first day of December– there will be a special 11 AM service at St. Anne’s Church in Philadelphia to honor the Irish Civil War soldiers buried in St. Anne’s historical cemetery.
Check our calendar for more details on all of these events–and the ones that are added during the week. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us and remember to eat responsibly.
