Two fantabulous Irish groups will be joining forces on Saturday, April 12, for a show at the Sellersville Theater. Tempest, that crazy Norwegian-Irish fusion group from California that creates so much energy you’d think they were the aurora borealis, are headlining the show with local group, Burning Bridget Cleary, doing the warm-up (we’ve seen them and they’re perfectly capable of doing a heat-up). Tempest has a strong local following, and they’ll also be appearing on Sunday night at Brittingham’s Irish Pub in Lafayette Hill.
But before that: On Friday night, think about heading to Ardmore for AOH Comedy Night. No, not a bunch of Hibernians cracking each other up—real Irish comics such as Joey Callahan and Ed McGonigle (with the wonderful Oliver McElhone providing the music) all coming together for a good cause, the “Treasures for Our Troops” project which provides essentials and comfort items to soldiers overseas and financial help to the wounded and their families. A worthy cause, a lot of laughs, music—that’s the AOH for you.
And they’re doing it a second time this weekend. AOH Division 1 in Gloucester County, NJ, is holding a benefit for Project Children, a 33-year-old program that brings Protestant and Catholic children from Northern Ireland to the US for the summer so they can get to know one another away from any strife. There will be beef and beer, the Shantys and friends, and raffles.
Also on Friday night: New local group The Pointe will be releasing its first CD at a special performance at Molly Maguire’s in Phoenixville.
One thing you can take off your calendar is the Young at Heart Luncheon scheduled for Sunday at the Irish Center. That has been rescheduled for June. More details to come.
Sign up now to have breakfast on Friday, April 18, with Temple basektball coach Fran Dunphy, one of the all-time winningest coaches in Philadelphia Big 5 history. It’s sponsored by the Irish American Business Chamber & Network and will be held at The Pyramid Club in center city.
A portion of the admission of $35 for members/$40 for non-members will be donated to Coaches vs. Cancer which Dunphy chairs in this area with St. Joe’s coach Phil Martelli. Space is limited so call 215-772-3101 or email irish_event@iabcn.org to make your reservation.
Don’t forget Movie Thursdays at the Irish Center! This week’s film will be “The Snapper,” an hilarious adaptation of the Roddy Doyle novel (adapted by Roddy Doyle himself), starring the ubiquitous Colm Meaney and Tina Kellegher (Niamh from “Ballykissangel”). The plot: A young woman (Kellegher) becomes the talk of the town when she becomes pregnant and refuses to name the father, to the consternation of her Da (Meaney). This is one of Meaney’s best performances (and he’s had plenty).
