Correct attire for this weekend. Photo by Lisa Marie Hunt.
Hello!
Hello?
Hello? Is anybody out there?
Well, I guess just about everyone is either in North Wildwood for Irish Fest or Blackthorn’s Irish Weekend or in Bethlehem for Celtic Classic (where Solas is appearing on Saturday night). This is one of the best weeks of the year to be Irish because if you’re in one of those two places, you can’t be anything but. We’ve been to both and had a great time, even though we drank in moderation. (Seriously, folks, after a point, beer doesn’t make it better.)
Check our calendar for details on both festivals and remember to party responsibly.
We did have a couple of additions this week. Raymond Coleman is appearing tonight (Friday) at Westy’s in North Wildwood. If you’re down there, check him out. Raymond is a talented musician and singer. We’re big fans of this man from Tyrone.
If you’re going for a more medieval weekend, the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire (the extra “E” lets you know it’s authentic) is happening in Manheim, PA.
If you’re staying at home (oh hi, I didn’t see you there), there’s a more serious event going on at the World Affairs Council in Philadelphia: a meeting of so-called “banished babies,” people who were born in Ireland but adopted in the US, a common practice in the ‘50s and ‘60s. RTE is filming the meeting, organized by Mari Steed, an Irish adoptee from Levittown, for an upcoming episode of the Irish TV program, Prime Time.
Also on Saturday, but in New York, Glucksman Ireland House is hosting a day of talks about Irish crime fiction with some of the leading lights, including John Connolly, Declan Hughes, Declan Hunt, Stuart Neville, and Arlene Hunt, among others. American writers Pete Hamill and Peter Quinn will also be on hand.
Closer to home, Celtic Thunder is on stage at the Tower Theater. Those are the homies of that cutie, Damian McGinty, who won a spot on the popular TV show about the unpopular, “Glee,” this season. We hear he’ll play an Irish exchange student (now there’s a stretch) who is living with the family of the childlike Britney who apparently believes he’s a leprechaun. (Really, “Glee” people? A leprechaun? Could ya get any more clichéd?)
In King of Prussia, Scythian, the wild Celtic-Balkan group from DC, is playing a concert under the stars—hopefully not under the raindrops.
Paul Brady will be at the Sellersville Theatre on Tuesday night. He’s one of Ireland’s most prolific songwriters and highly regarded singer. Never heard of him? You have if you like country music (like most of the Irish people I know). He’s written for Trisha Yearwood, Brooks & Dunn, and John Prine, as well as Cher, Tina Turner, Joe Cocker, Bonnie Raitt and Santana. Now that’s eclectic.
Looking ahead: October starts next Saturday and with it Hungerstock, featuring Patty Smyth and a host of other acts, including the Irish community’s own John Byrne Band. Best of all, this nearly all-day event raises money for the Food Bank of South Jersey. If you’ve been paying attention at all, you know that food banks all across the region—and the country—are seeing more and more people hit hard by the economic downturn. So think about putting this fun event on your calendar next weekend.
