Eileen Ivers
There’s an embarrassment of riches this weekend in the Philly region. Three great Irish women performers will be in town at the same time Saturday night: Eileen Ivers, fiddler extraordinaire, in Media, and singers Susan McKeown and Mary McPartlan, together for the first time, on stage at the Irish Center. And if you’re in Delaware, the Scottish group Malinky will be performing at the Blue Ball Barn in Wilmington.
I hate when that happens.
But things could be worse. It could be quiet here, and we don’t like that.
There’s also a remarkable Irish play debuting at the Adrienne Theater on Sansom Street with a performance that same night, but Paul Meade’s “Skin Deep,” a production of the Inis Nua Theatre Company (they brought us the darkly funny “Trad”) will be here till January 18 so you have more than one chance to see it. Knowing Inis Nua’s Director Tom Reing’s record for finding the best in Celtic theater, you may actually want to see it more than once.
For those of you worried about cost, some reassurance: It’s the rare Irish event that will put you out more than $50. Most musical and theatrical events cost somewhere in the $20-$25 range, by any standards a bargain (and possibly why so many Irish musicians can’t quit their day jobs).
On Monday, head over to the Sligo Pub in Media for another free Gaelic lesson. Or, if you’re in Bethlehem, hear the Celtic group BUA at the Bethlehem BrewWorks. Are you from Derry? The Sons and Daughters of Derry, one of the oldest county associations in Philadelphia, is making a comeback and is holding a meeting Monday night at the Irish Center.
There’s more coming up this month. In fact, it’s the rare day in January that there isn’t something Celtic going on that will remind you of where you came from. Pick something and go. Pubs, restaurants, gift shops, musicians and actors are all hard-hit in economic downturns. Let’s support them. Eat, drink, and buy Irish! Check out our calendar for all the details.
