What, are you kidding, do I have to be Irish again this week? When will this blasted month be over?
Okay, we hear some of you out there, so we have a special treat. Instead of being Irish this weekend, you can be Scottish (Celts are Celts is our motto). The Scottish folk band, GiveWay, which won a coveted “Danny Award” at the international Celtic Connection Festival pretty much their first time on a big stage, will be performing Saturday night at the Irish Center, Carpenter and Emlen Streets in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia.
We’ve been listening to their last CD for weeks (that will be us mouthing the words and playing air accordian) and this unconventionally traditional band is sensational. There is not a chance in the world that your feet won’t be tapping. In fact, we’re going to encourage seat jigging, or, if you can find a vacant spot, hop on up and get your Irish—or Scottish—on.
The concert is being hosted by us, www.irishphiladelphia.com, and we hope you come out and join us. In preparation, you can read our interview with one of the lovely Johnson sisters (lead vocalist, Kirsty, who is 21) and listen to their latest single, “The Water is Wide,” produced by Phil Cunningham.
There are plenty of other things going on. On Saturday afternoon, the movie, “Hunger,” a stark, realistic portrayal of the lives and deaths of the Long Kesh hunger strikers (the lead actor, playing the ill-fated Bobby Sands, transforms into a near skeleton by the end, a tribute to his dedication to the role), will be screened at the Prince Theater as part of the Philadelphia Film Festival.
Also on Saturday afternoon, AOH and LAOH 87 will be holding a benefit for the family of Philadelphia Police Officer John Pawlowski, who was killed when responding to a 911 call. He left a wife who is carrying their child.
On Satuday night, the Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann will be holding its third annual Irish Buffet and House Party at the McSwiney Club in Jenkintown. We’re pretty sure that means great food, fabulous music, and a night of Irish dancing.
You probably read this week that Immaculata researchers found what they believe are the bones of 57 Irish immigrant railroad workers who were reported to have died in a cholera epidemic and buried in a mass grave near Malvern, in a place called locally, “Duffy’s Cut.” One of the those researchers, Professor William E. Watson, is scheduled to give a presentation on Duffy’s Cut on Sunday at the Celtic Heritage Foundation at 321 Cedar Street, Bristol. The event was scheduled before the discovery, so this is a great opportunity to find out what’s behind the headlines.
More exciting stuff: Riverdance begins its farewell performances at The Kimmel Center on Tuesday, March 31. Three of the original performers are still dancing with the show, which is credited with igniting an interest in all things Irish when it first debuted with Michael Flately on Broadway. If you check the ads we’re running, you’ll see they’re offering a 15% discount right now, so here’s your opportunity.
Speaking of igniting interest in the Irish, Gaelic Storm is scheduled to appear at The Colonial Theater in Phoenixville on Friday night. If you saw the movie, Titantic, and apparently everyone did, you saw and heard this former pub band turned international Celtic sensations in the famous scene where Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet joined in the below-decks merriment (where our people were making their voyage).
Lots more coming: Next week, two great musicians from Ireland are heading our way, the Hibernian Hunger Project is holding its giant “cook-in” at Aid for Friends in Northeast Philly (volunteers welcome), and the World Irish Dance Championships are kicking off (and kicking really high) their weeklong competition in Philadelphia, the first time the annual event is being held in the US. (And they picked us!)
Go visit our calendar for all the details. And don’t forget to support your local Irish business!
