Think of this week as a warm-up for March, which promises to be jam-packed. March 17—the big day itself—merits a “How to Be Irish in Philly” all by its own at this point, and the events keep pouring in.
It seems right to start with an event that can get you into the proper spirit for the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It’s a parade fund-raiser Sunday at Heroes Hall FOP Lodge 5, 11630 Caroline Road in Northeast Philadelphia. The event starts at 3 p.m.
You’ll get a chance to meet this year’s grand marshal, Sean McMenamin, as well as the Ring of Honor.
If you’re going—and by all means, go—the fund-raiser promises to be one super-fun afternoon. It costs $40 at the door, and $20 for children 13 and under. (Checks to be made out to SPDOA.) For your money, you get music from local Irish bands and the Philadelphia Emerald Society Pipe Band, and some high-stepping from the Cummins School of Irish Dance. There will be baskets of cheer, too, and plenty of food and draft beer. You get a lot for your money, and you can help support one of the best causes we can think of.
For tickets or more info, please contact:
Joe Fox at 215-429-0193
Kathy Fanning at 267-237-2953
Ed Dougherty at 267-879-6107
If you’re planning on being out and about Tuesday, you might reserve a seat for a special annual Irish dinner at the Green Parrot, 240 North Sycamore Street in Newtown, Bucks County. It starts at 6 p.m. The event also includes a Bushmills Irish Whiskey tasting, as well as tastings of Guinness, about which you may have heard. Representatives of both iconic companies will be on hand to give some background into these well-known brands. The dinner features three courses.
Call for a reservation: 215-504-7277
If you feel like a little drive, Paddy Moloney and the Chieftains are playing at McCarter Theatre Center on the Princeton University campus, also on Tuesday night. That’s 91 University Place in Princeton, N.J.
The Chieftains are always a guaranteed hit show. A Chieftains show always includes many other performers and guest artists—including Irish step dancers and a bagpipe band. (I played one of those shows once, with the Philadelphia Emerald Society Pipe Band. Talk about a thrill.)
Tickets and details here: https://www.mccarter.org/season/2018-2019/pdps/the-chieftains/
Another Tuesday night biggie: Gaelic Storm takes the stage at Sellersville Theater, 24 West Temple Avenue in Sellersville. They’ll rock the house, no question. Always a popular band, a blend of the traditional and the modern. Check out the details: https://theater.st94.com/events/gaelic-storm/
Roddy Doyle’s immersive “Two Pints” is on at the Blarney Stone, 3929 Sansom Street in Philly, starting Thursday and running through March 3. It’s an Abbey Theatre presentation. The play starts with two men meeting for a pint and spins off from there. Unfortunately, seats are sold out online. Additional tickets might come available, so call the box office at 215-898-3900 for up-to-date info.
Two events, very different from each other, on Friday.
First, at 11:30 a.m., the Irish American Business Chamber and Network hosts its annual Ambassador Awards at the Union League. Irish Ambassador Daniel Mulhall will present the Irish Chamber’s highest honors to Teleflex, Inc., with Irish-born CEO, Liam Kelly, accepting on behalf of Teleflex. The Taoiseach Award will be presented to Philadelphia philanthropists and business leaders Daniel and Sarah Keating. The Uachtaran Award will be presented to The Travis Manion Foundation. Col. Tom Manion and Ryan Manion will represent the foundation.
Next, at 7 p.m., the Bogside Rogues will headline the Kick-off to St. Patrick’s Day at The Lost Legion Post 497, 8035 Jenkintown Road, in Cheltenham.The Rogues are always a good time.
That’s it for this time around.
Get ready for more events next week, the week after, and the week after that. It’s crazy, I tell ya.
