The city desk at Irish Philadelphia world headquarters (my coffee table) is abuzz with activity again this week. Philly Irish know how to celebrate Christmas, and they’re doing it with great aplomb. Or a plum pudding. Whatever.
Remember, he sees you when you’re sleeping. (Which I’ve always found kind of creepy.) So, no sleeping. Get out there and be Irish.
If you have an ugly Christmas sweater, haul it out of mothballs. You have an excellent opportunity to don you now your gay apparel as the Philadelphia Hurling and Camogie Club hosts its Ugly Christmas Sweater Pub Crawl Saturday, December 15, from 7 to 10 p.m., meeting at Tir na nOg, 1600 Arch Street in Center City. Rules and pubs to be announced.
Also Saturday, you can join the crowd at Fergie’s Pub, 1214 Sansom Street, for Merry Music and Winter Wails. It’s at about the same time as the pub crawl—7:30 to 9—so you’ll have to pick one. The folks at Fergie’s guarantee seasonal tunes, holiday hymns, and they suggest that there may be yuletide yodels. Or not. Frankly, I’d like to hear that.
On a more serious note, on Sunday, December 16, Lansdale Catholic High School and Ancient Order of Hibernians “Yellow Jack” Donahue Division 4 are sponsoring “Remember the 27 Crusaders,” a documentary about the 27 Father Judge High School graduates who went on to make the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. The film is presented by Irish American Films and Thistle Dew, LLC. The documentary shows from 2 to 4 p.m. Lansdale Catholic is at 700 Lansdale Avenue, Lansdale, Montgomery County.
Also Sunday, the Mayo Association of Philadelphia hosts a Christmas Mass and party at the Commodore John Barry Arts and Cultural Center (the Irish Center), 6815 Emlen Street in the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia. Doors open at 2 p.m. The Mass starts the afternoon, with the party afterward. The Clauses (Mr. and Mrs.) are expected to join the Mayos. Bring the kiddies. An optional dinner will be available after Mass at an additional $20 charge. On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and Vixen, on Comet, on Cupid, on Donner, up Mayo! We swear he says that.
Last but not least on Sunday, from 3 to 5 p.m., Carversville United Church of Christ, 3736 Aquetong Road in Carversville, Bucks County, presents a History of Christmas Carols performance and lecture, featuring the song stylings of Terry Kane and the harp music of Ellen Tepper. Documenting 1,000 years of carols from 10 different countries. Price of admission $10.
On Tuesday, December 18, from 7 to 9 p.m., you can drag out that ugly Christmas sweater again. There will be a contest (presumably for the ugliest one) at the Irish Tuesdays Christmas Party at Hanrahan’s Irish Pub, 690 Burmont Road in Drexel Hill. Lots of other merriment on tap, as well.
On Wednesday night, the 19th, it’s “An Irish Evening at the Parrot with Seamus Kelleher,” from 7 to 10 p.m., at the Green Parrot Restaurant, Pub & Patio, 240 North Sycamore, in Newtown, Bucks County. He’s always guaranteed to put on a good show.
Rounding out your busy week, on Saturday, December 22, help out Rocky Saginario’s Toy Drive for Local Orphanages, at Paddy Rooney’s Pub, 449 West Chester Pike, Havertown, Delco. Bring a new unwrapped toy or a cash donation at the door. Music by Lefty. 9 p.m. to midnight.
Now dash away, all!
