Big doings in Irish Philly land this week.
We’ll just launch right into things, first a little out of sequence.
Tuesday, January 21-Sunday, January 26
The 25th anniversary show of Riverdance will be at the Merriam, 250 South Broad Street, this week, featuring Anna Mai Fitzpatrick in a lead dance role and once local (Pittsgrove, N.J.) phenom Haley Richardson on fiddle. Some changes are in store for the show but at heart it’s going to be that same incredible Riverdance you’ve loved all along—lots of high stepping and incredible music. If you’ve never seen Riverdance before—hard to believe you haven’t—by all means, make time in your schedule.
The best way to buy tickets is through the Commodore John Barry Arts & Cultural Center (the Irish Center). The center gets $1 for every ticket sold using the code IRISH. A very worthy cause.
Now back into sequence …
Friday, January 17
Seamus, CJ and Dan are scheduled to appear at Nick’s Roast Beef Woodhaven, 4501 Woodhaven Road, in the Great Northeast. The tunes and pints begin at 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 18
There’s a beef and beer for the family of Brian Dougherty at St. Joseph Collingdale Church,
500 Woodlawn Avenue in Collingdale, Pa., starting at 6 p.m. Brian Dougherty has been diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, a progressive disease with no cure. The benefit is to help the family with expenses and bills. Price of admission is $30, including DJ tunes, food and drinks, raffles and 50/50s.
Thursday, January 23
Take in “A Conversation with Samantha Power, 28th United States Ambassador to the United Nations,” at Girard College Chapel, 2101 S College Avenue in Philadelphia. The talk begins at 5:30 p.m.
Power will discuss her new memoir, “The Education of an Idealist,” including memories of her childhood in Dublin to recollections of war-torn Bosnia to the White House Situation Room and the challenges of world diplomacy. More details on the World Affairs Council website.
Saturday, January 25
Looking ahead just a little bit, it’s Burns Night at the Plough & the Stars, 2nd Street between Market and Chestnut, in Old City. No, Robbie Burns isn’t Irish, but the Plough sure is. Got a hankering for haggis? Pining for pipers? Dreaming of a wee dram? Here’s the place. Starts at 6 p.m.
That’s it for this week! See you next time around.
