Hoo boy, do we have a weekend for you!
In some cases, you’d have to very nearly be in two places at once, so unless you know some trick involving the space-time continuum, you’ll have to make some tough choices.
There are several events on Saturday.
From 10 a.m. to noon, help out some local families this Christmas by attending the second annual Knute’s Angels Breakfast with Santa Toy Drive. The event takes place at Haggerty’s Café, 2373 MacDade Boulevard in Holmes, Pa. Kids will love it. There will be face painting, a photo booth … and a visit from Santa!
The same day, the Commodore John Barry Arts and Cultural Center (aka the Irish Center) hosts the 2018 Football All-Stars. The meet and greet is free at the door. Dinner optional for $25. If you’ve never been there (and here’s your opportunity to visit a Philadelphia Irish community treasure), the Irish Center is at 6815 Emlen Street in Philly’s Mount Airy neighborhood.
Right after that, at 8 p.m., Cherish the Ladies with singer Don Stiffe take the Irish Center stage for their fab Celtic Christmas show. You don’t want to miss this one. It’s always a great show. Tickets now available online for $25 at https://cherishphilly.brownpapertickets.com, or at the door for $30. A terrific way to start the holiday season.
Also Saturday night, the Birmingham Six play at Bonks Bar, 3467 Richmond Street in Philadelphia. It’s a celebration of Scubadelphia’s sponsorship of Na Toraidhe Hurling and Camogie Club. 30 bucks covers two-hour open bar and appetizers from 8 to 10. They’ll take Paypal (Natoraidhe@gmail.com), Venmo (@natoraidhegaa), or pay cash at the door. The band kicks off at 9.
(Now taking a deep breath. There’s more.)
If you missed Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones at the MacSwiney Club in Jenkintown, they’re showing up Sunday, starting at 2, at the Cannstatter Club, 9130 Academy Road in Philly’s Great Northeast. Also featuring the Fitzpatrick School of Irish Dance.
From 3:30 to 4:30 on Sunday afternoon, take the kids to the Irish Christmas-themed Children’s Story Hour, at the Irish Immigration Center of Greater Philadelphia, 7 South Cedar Lane, Upper Darby. There’s a Christmas party afterward. And guess who’s going to show up? (That jolly old elf fella really gets around. I’m sure we haven’t heard the last of him.)
Next Sunday, December 9, McDade-Cara School of Irish Dance hosts Irish You a Merry Christmas Dance Spectacular—and spectacular it is very likely to be, knowing McDade-Cara. It’s from 2 to 4 p.m. at Archbishop Carroll High School, 11 Matsonford Road in Radnor, Pa. Tickets are $10; $5 for kids under 10.
Whew! That’s it for now.
Please remember to let us know about your Irish-themed Philly-area event—especially if it has a Christmas theme. Dance schools, clubs, bands, bars, pubs, churches, county organizations—whatever. Send an email to irishphilly@gmail.com with details.
