This is the week Philadelphia’s Irish have been waiting for. There’s so much music on the agenda, you’ll never keep up. Although we invite you to try.
On the big day itself, there will be food and drink specials at most, if not all of the pubs and bars where our artists are performing—including our favorite St. Patrick’s Day breakfast, kegs and eggs. Try it, you’ll like it. And be sure to support our many Irish pubs and restaurants as best you can. Many of them have had a hard time of it.
Here’s what’s happening in this very busy week to come.
Friday, March 12
Raymond Coleman takes the stage at the New Deck Tavern, 3408 Sansom Street in University City, starting at 6:30 p.m.
The Shantys are on tap at Marty Magee’s Beer Garden, 1110 Lincoln Avenue in Prospect Park, Delco. The show starts at 7 p.m.
You can see Frank Daly, Jamison Celtic Rock front man, and fiddler Alice Marie, from 8 to 11 p.m., at Kensington Pub, 2116 E Tioga Street in Philly.
Saturday, March 13
It’s a big day at Renault Winery, 72 North Bremen Avenue in Egg Harbor, N.J., starting at 11:30 a.m. Among the day’s events: Jimi Milligan Band, Fiddle Mix by Shelly B and South Philly String Band’s Irish Brigade. Outside, Irish bands, food, vendors and a lot more.
There are two pop-up performances by the McDade-Cara School of Irish Dance outdoors at Cardinal John Foley Regional Catholic School, 300 East Eagle Road in Havertown, at 2 and 3 p.m.
If you’re up for a road trip, it’s St. Paddy’s Weekend at Tellus360, 24 East King Street in Lancaster. It starts at 12 noon with Whiskey After Breakfast, Dave Pedrick at 2 p.m., the Part-Time Managers at 4 p.m., Fire in the Glen at 6 p.m., and Hold Fast at 8 p.m.
The Shantys play at the Fainting Goat, 105 South MacDade Boulevard at 4 p.m., followed the Boyce Brothers and John McGroary at 9 p.m.
At the Green Parrot, 240 North Sycamore Street in Newtown, Bucks County, it’s John Byrne from 2 to 5 p.m.
A four-piece acoustic version of the John Byrne Band appears later that day, from 7 to 10 p.m., at the Horsham VFW, 324 Sawmill Lane in Horsham, Montgomery County. Tickets are $20 per person. Pay at the door or buy in advance, Venmo @vfwpost9788.
Starting at 4 p.m., it’s Jamison at Media’s Towne House, 117 Veterans Square in Media. (Editor’s Note: Now SOLD OUT.)
At 8 p.m., you can catch Raymond Coleman at The Palm Tavern, 799 Gravel Pike in Palm, Pa.
The Screaming Orphans, an incredibly talented group, takes to Facebook live at 5 p.m. (10 p.m. Irish time).
Catch the Campbell School of Highland Dancers at 6:30 p.m. at the Plough and Stars, 2nd Street between Market and Chestnut, in Old City.
Sunday, March 14
Port Richmond Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 87 hosts a neighborhood St. Patrick’s Day parade, starting at 9:15 a.m. The parade kicks off at St. George Church, winding through the neighborhood, passing Campbell Square Park, ending at St. George. You’ll see the marchers on Venango, Belgrade, Clearfield, Almond, Tioga and Thompson. They’ll be collecting monetary donations and non-perishable food items for Saint Joan of Arc Food Bank. Appearing in the line of march: fire engine 81, The Natterjacks Irish band, Wounded Warriors Motorcycle club, the Easter Bunny, Saint Patrick, and other surprise guests
The Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day parade is canceled for this year, of course, but you can celebrate Shamrock Sunday on Fox 29, starting at 11 a.m. It’s a look back at the channel’s coverage of the parade over the years, plus some virtual performances. If you’re jonesing for the parade, here is the next best thing.
John Byrne is back at the Green Parrot from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There’s a St. Patrick’s Celebration at Tony’s Place Bar & Grill, 1297 Greeley Avenue in Ivyland, Bucks County, from 2 to 5 p.m., featuring Paul Wiese from The Birmingham Six.
Kathy DeAngelo and Dennis Gormley of McDermott’s Handy will present “Bound for Amerikay, the Irish Emigrant Experience,” for the Monmouth County Library, starting at 2 p.m., right here on YouTube.
Jamison appears at Paddypalooza 2021, Curran’s Irish Inn from 2 to 7 p.m.
The Cummins School of Irish Dance and the Derry Brigade present a pop-up performance at Jenkintown Town Square, starting at 3 p.m.
Raymond Coleman returns to the New Deck, starting at 4 p.m.
Another virtual event: The fabulous band Lúnasa hosts a transatlantic concert starting at 4 p.m. (9 p.m. Irish time) on their YouTube channel. Galway singer Dave Curley will be the band’s special guest. The concert’s free, but donations will be gratefully accepted.
At 5 p.m., you can catch House of Hamill in a Facebook live-streamed concert. Details here.
At 7 p.m., catch John Byrne in a streaming show from Kennett Flash, in Kennett Square, Chester County. The event will be streamed live on Facebook.com/TheKennettFlash/live. Tune in 15 minutes before the show! Support The Kennett Flash by donating here. $20 suggested donation.
Monday, March 15
Raymond Coleman is back, this time at the Irish Horne Bar, starting at 5 p.m. You’ll find the bar at 882 Second Street Pike in Richboro, Bucks County.
Tuesday, March 16
Catch Raymond Coleman yet again, this time at Casey’s Place, up the road a piece, 1197 California Road in Quakertown, starting at 7 p.m.
It’s Frank and Alice, back to serenade you at West Chester Kildare’s Pub, 18 West Gay Street, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Back at the Green Parrot, it’s John Byrne from 6 to 9 p.m.
Wednesday, March 17
John Byrne and Maura Dwyer provide two sets of tunes at West Chester Kildare’s, starting at 7 a.m., closing out at 3 p.m.
Two opportunities to see Ray Coleman:
- Dooney’s Pub & Restaurant, 1361 Fairview Boulevard, in Delran, N.J., starting at 11 a.m.
- Dooney’s Pub & Restaurant, 154 Route 73 in Voorhees, N.J., beginning at 4 p.m.
Frank and Alice start their day at Ojung’s Tavern, 1625 South Second Street in Philadelphia, from 2 to 5:30 p.m.
Later in the day, they join the whole Jamison band at Gaul & Company Malt House, 704 Huntingdon Pike in Rockledge, Montco. Start time: 6 p.m.
The Shantys play Marty Magee’s Beer Garden from 2 to 6 p.m., followed by the Galway Guild from 6 to 10 p.m.
Sweeney’s Philly, 13639 Philmont Avenue in Philadelphia, features Banned for a Day, starting at 5 p.m.
Dervish takes the stage (virtually), starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are 10 bucks, and includes on-demand viewing for 72 hours. Guests include Peggy Seeger, Heidi Talbot, Brian Kennedy, Abigail Washburn and Bela Fleck. Get your tickets here.
Take in dinner and a show at The Commodore, the restaurant at the Commodore John Barry Arts and Cultural Center, 6815 Emlen Street in Mount Airy. There’s a special St. Patrick’s Day menu and tunes in the ballroom. Space is limited and reservations are required. You can make your reservations here.
Down at the Plough, it’s Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones, live streaming from Ireland at 5 p.m. At 7 p.m., Irish Thunder Pipe Band drops by, followed by a Celtic DJ and Irish dancers.
At 6.15 p.m., take in Dinner and a Song at 118 North, 118 North Wayne Avenue in Wayne, featuring John Byrne. Reserve a table for indoor dining: https://www.opentable.com/r/118-north-wayne
And at 8 p.m. on the dot, one of the area’s top bands, RUNA, presents a Facebook Live St. Patrick’s Day at Home concert. All the details here.
Friday, March 19
Catch Raymond Coleman at Gaul & Company Malt House. The tunes begin at 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 20
The John Byrne Band in trio form is scheduled to appear at Kelly Center, 4 East Eagle Road in Havertown, starting at 7:30 p.m. Details and tickets here.
That’s it! (That’s plenty.) Now get down and get Irish.
