Liam McLaughlin
Happy Fourth!
If you’re going to a parade tomorrow, it’s likely you’ll run into an Irish pipe band or two. But from Friday on, this week is jam-packed with Irish goodness.
Here goes:
On Saturday, check out “I’ll Make a Ghost of Him: Joyce Haunted by Shakespeare” exhibition at the Rosenbach Museum, 2008 Delancy Place in Philadelphia. The exhibit is open from noon to 6 p.m., and the exhibition itself runs through August 31. There’re plenty of chances to take it in.
If you’re goin’ down da shore this weekend, you can check out two of our most popular bands. Slainte shows up at Keenan’s, 113 Olde New Jersey Ave, North Wildwood, Saturday at 5. Later on, at 9:30, Jamison takes the stage at Casey’s, 3rd and New York, in the same great town along New Jersey’s Irish Riviera.
The South Jersey Irish Society hosts a picnic Sunday from 11 to 7 at the CYO-Yardville Branch, 453 Yardville-Allentown Road, in Yardville. And there will be no shortage of fun things to do, including dancing, swimming (not at the same time), mini-golf, basketball, and, of course, the obligatory picnicking. Charcoal grills are available.
Last weekend, at the Celtic Festival in Bristol, I ran into a couple of guys who play at the Bristol Traditional Irish Music Session Tuesday nights at Kelch House Eatery at Mill and Radcliffe Street, not far from the wharf, and they swear by it. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a newbie or a more experienced player—everybody is welcome. And if you don’t play or sing, you’re more than welcome to drop by and listen. The session starts at 7.
If you’re near Ardmore, there’s a great session at Maloney’s on County Line Road the same night, at the same time. Fado in the city has its own session, starting at 9.
So if you’re looking for live Irish music, Tuesday’s a great night, but … the Philly area is positively up to its eyeball in Irish music sessions. Check out our calendar!
But wait! There’s more Irish music in a great summer setting.
Jamison’s in action again (do these guys ever sleep?) Wednesday night from 7 to 9:30 at Pennypack Park, at the Ed Kelley Amphiteatre, Welsh and Cresco in the Great Northeast. Also on the bill: The Bogside Rogues. Two great bands for the price of one. Which is to say: it’s free.
Thursday night, from 5:30 to 8:30, Irish Network-Philadelphia joins forces with the German American Chamber of Commerce to celebrate a single saint. It’s the St. Kilian’s Day Celebration at Brauhas Schmitz, 718 South Street in the city. (Irish missionary St. Kilian traveled to Bavaria in the 7th Century. Both nationalities hold him in reverence. Cash bar, complementary light hors d’oeuvres. Slainte! And Prost!
On Friday night, from 8 to 11, a rare treat: Liam McLaughlin, renowned as an Irish country music fave, in concert at the Philadelphia Irish Center, Carpenter and Emlen, in Mount Airy. You can take the train, too. Carpenter station is just steps away. But whatever you do: Support the Irish Center!
So put on your track shoes, and get out there.
