Enter the Haggis
Next year, we’re taking most of the summer off and spending it down the shore because clearly, that’s the only way to be Irish in Philly. Even some of our favorite local groups, like Blackthorn and Jamison, are performing mainly in Jersey this summer. Working on their Celtic tans, no doubt.
Blackthorn will be closer to home in August (August 14, at 7:30 PM) , giving a concert at Rose Tree Park in Media. But at the end of the month (August 27) they’ll be playing for the beach crowd at the Windrift Hotel in Avalon (we love Avalon).
Jamison has gigs at Shenanigans in Sea Isle this Sunday and Keenan’s Irish Pub in North Wildwood on July 30, plus an acoustic session at Tucker’s in Wildwood later in the evening.
And you can catch the Broken Shillelaghs (all or part of them) at McMichael’s, near the sunny shores of the Delaware River in Gloucester City, NJ, just over the bridge from Philly on Monday night.
Also in town, the Bogside Rogues: They’ll be rocking and rolling at Daly’s Pub in the Northeast on Saturday night.
Enter the Haggis will also be in the area on Sunday, performing at the Sellersville Theatre in Sellersville with the John Byrne Band. If you’ve never been to Sellersville, now’s the right time. Not only are they two fabulous bands, you barely have to be out in the heat to make a cool evening of it. Right next to the Sellersville Theatre is Washington House, a great restaurant with a turn-of-the-century bar that will take you back in time except that everything’s air-conditioned. You’ll only be hot for a few seconds.
At Quakertown’s Memorial Park, RUNA with Shannon Lambert-Ryan will be playing till after the sun goes down on Sunday.
Mark your calendars for July 31 when Belfast Connection hosts a benefit brunch for Alex Weir and Keegan Loesel, two young musicians who qualified for the annual All-Ireland music competitions in Cavan Town in August, at Brittingham’s Irish Pub in Lafayette Hills. Your $20 will buy you a delicious meal, some great music, and help defray the costs of the trip for the boys and their families.
On the same day in Somers Point, NJ, there’s a benefit ceili for three other local youngsters going to the Fleadh, including fiddle phenom Haley Richardson, her brother, Dylan, and harper Emily Safko.
