Saturday, November 2
Strap on your dancing shoes and be prepared to show off your best bib and tucker—whatever that means—for the 114th annual Mayo Association of Philadelphia Charity Gala Ball. The ball starts at 7 p.m. at the Irish Center, 6815 Emlen Street in Mount Airy. Price of admission is $30. Tickets can be purchased online. (An optional dinner is available from 6 to 8 p.m. at additional charge.)
The night will be jam-packed with music, starting with DJ John Shields, and moving on to one of New York’s hottest groups, the McLean Avenue Band, with an additional appearance by Emerald pipers. The evening culminates in the crowning of Miss Mayo. Tickets are still available. This one typically fills the ballroom.
Sunday, November 3
One of the absolute top Irish music events of the year takes place at St. Malachy’s Annual Irish Music Concert with Mick Moloney and Friends. This event also fills the joint. The church, that is, which is at 1429 North 11th Street in Philly. The show starts at 2 p.m. A goodwill offering is requested. Dig down deep. This event benefits the church school, which is a veritable beacon of hope in North Philadelphia. The concert is also in celebration of the life and times of the late Irish musical icon Eugene O’Donnell.
In addition to Mick, the lineup offers a veritable who’s who of traditional Irish music and dance, including Donie Carroll, Billy McComiskey, Haley Richardson, John Roberts, Jerry O’Sullivan, Niall O’Leary, Seagda Coyle and Clare Horgan. How they’re ever going to find room on the stage for all of them is anybody’s guess, but you really don’t want to miss this. It might be the best yet.
Friday, November 8
Get set for a special film presented by the Philadelphia Ceili Group in partnership with Villanova University. It’s called “The Camino Voyage,” the story of a motley crew—a writer, two musicians, an artist and a stonemason—who set sail on a harrowing journey from Ireland to Northern Spain in a traditional boat they built themselves. Among the stars are singer-songwriter Glen Hansard and traditional Irish musician Brendan Begley.
The film starts at 6 p.m. in Bartley Hall, Room 1011 on the Villanova campus, 800 Lancaster Avenue in Villanova. Irish, with English subtitles.
At the Sellersville Theater, the bagpipe-driven Celtic rock band Celtica rolls into town for a concert, starting at 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7:30 p.m.) Tickets and info here.
You’ll find the theater at 24 West Temple Avenue in Sellersville.
Finally, also Friday, The Shantys have a show at The Black Taxi, 746 North 25th Street in Philadelphia.
That’s it for this week! And if you are out and about this weekend, remember Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, when we all “fall back” one hour. Set your clocks accordingly. (Or let your phones do it.)
