Harper Ellen Tepper will be playing a Christmas show in Bethlehem.
Hoping to get my Christmas spirit on this weekend at the Irish Center. Maybe you’ll find yours there. On Sunday, the Mayo and Donegal Associations are holding their Christmas Mass with dinner afterwards, and that rolls right into “Irish Christmas in America,” the gorgeous musical production from one of Ireland’s top traditional groups, Teada, with singer-musician-comic Seamus Begley guest starring along with harper Grainne Hambley and sean nos dancer, the devilishly handsome Brian Cunningham from Connemara.
Before that, on Friday night, there’s a Christmas Ceili in the Fireside Room with music and dancing and a roaring fire. And all within a few feet of one of the greatest bars ever. And if you’re downtown, stop in at Tir na Nog for the Irish Network-Philly first-ever Christmas party.
In Bethlehem on Saturday, local harper and singer Ellen Tepper will be playing at McCarthy’s Tea Room for two seatings of McCarthy’s traditional Irish Christmas dinner. If you’ve never been to Bethlehem at Christmas—it’s known as the Christmas City, after all—you’re missing a lot. Do a little shopping (at Donegal Square or the Moravian Book Store, two of my favorite spots), stop in at the Hotel Bethlehem to see if there are any vacancies, or wander in to the Bethlehem Brew Pub for a burger and brew before sitting down to a great meal and wonderful music.
Of course, there’s so much going on this Saturday that you’re going to be missing something: Slide is at the Zellerbach Theatre, Burning Bridget Cleary is at Steel City Coffee House in Phoenixville, “Dublin Carol” is continuing its two-week run at the Amaryllis Theatre in Philly, Shane O’Donnell’s documentary “Wizards of the PCT” is playing at the MacSwiney Club in Jenkintown (with live music!), and St. Malachi’s Church in Doe Run is holding its annual candlelight Celtic Christmas event.
On Sunday, along with all the festive goings-on at the Irish Center, Father John McNamee, pastor emeritus of St. Malachi’s Parish and celebrated poet, will be reading from his latest book, “Derrybeg and Back,” at the Society Hill Playhouse at 3 PM. He’ll also sign copies of the book—Christmas present alert!
Fiddler Paraic Keane and Mad Mission will be playing at Con Murphy’s Pub on the Parkway Sunday night too—go there after you hear Father McNamee. It’s a hop, skip, and a jump away.
On Monday, a real treat—a preview reading from the play, “Pumpgirl,” which the Inis Nua Theatre Company is bringing to Philadelphia’s Adrienne Theatre January 11-23. Meet the cast at Fergie’s Pub on Sansom Street at 6 PM. Check out Fergie’s new menu—BBQ!
On Friday, December 17, Coyote Run is presenting its annual “A Kilted Christmas” at the Sellersville Theatre. That’s the lead-in to another killer Irish weekend, with trad musicians Patrick Mangan and Ryan McGiver concerting at the Irish Center and lots of fun elsewhere leading up to the big day.
Don’t forget—Sunday, the WTMR 800AM Irish radio shows are conducting a fund drive. Listen in starting at 11 AM and call in your pledges to one of the many hard-working volunteers who sometimes spend two hours tucked into a dark, back studio with nothing but their Android phone for company, text messaging with crazy people. And you know who you are.
