How to be Irish in Philly this Week

Short week in the land of Irish Philadelphia, people. We’re all—or mostly—Christmased out.

Here’s what’s on:

Saturday, December 28

The great Philadelphia Irish band Jamison holds court at Curran’s Tacony, 6900 State Road in Northeast Philly. The show starts at 9:30 p.m. Curran’s is a great place to see and hear them. Hoist one for us.

Sunday, December 29

The holidays are not completely over, particularly for those of you who claim County Dublin heritage. Dublin Society Philadelphia hosts its Christmas party at the Plough and Stars. 2^nd Street between Market and Chestnut, starting at 12 noon. Bring the family, and up the Dubs!

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It’s a short week for Irish stuff because … Christmas. (Merry Christmas, by the way.)

But fear not, there are still a couple events and activities to get you in the Irish holiday spirit.

Saturday, December 21

Here’s one of the hands-down best ways to celebrate that holiday. It’s an American Celtic Christmas at the Keswick Theater 291 North Keswick Avenue in Glenside.

This show goes back to 2012, and it just keeps getting better and better.

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Still plenty of opportunities to get into the Irish Christmas spirit this week. We can help you find what’s what and what’s where. Here we go.

Friday, December 13

Take in a Christmas Ceili—that’s a night of traditional Irish dance and music—at the Irish Center, 6815 Emlen Street in Mount Airy. Sponsored by the Philadelphia Ceili Group, the fun starts at 7:30 p.m.

Live music will be provided by the McGillians, with John Shields leading the dancing. Tickets are $15 and kids under 16 are free. You’re encouraged to bring a dessert to share.

Also starting at 7:30, it’s Donegal Philadelphia Christmas Bag Bingo. The event takes place at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 1 West Ardmore Avenue in Ardmore. You could win a handbag (or handbags, if you’re lucky) by the likes of Louis Vuitton, Kate Spade, Longchamp and many more. It costs $30 to play. BYOB and food.

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We hope you’re in the holiday spirit. Last week, almost every event featured a Christmas connection. It’s even more so this week.

Here’s what’s on:

Saturday, December 7

Ready for a brisk run or walk? Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 87 is hosting the Tommy “Wengo” Wenger Memorial Jingle Bell 5K Run and 1K Walk and the Annual LAOH Children’s Christmas Party. The race steps off at 9 a.m. at St. George Elementary School, 2700 East Venango Street in Philadelphia.

Santa Claus will be riding along on Fire Engine 81, “The Pride of North Catholic.” Registration is $25, and $15 for kids 10 and under. Cost of admission includes a pancake breakfast, t-shirt and jingle bells for your sneakers so you can music wherever you go. Text your email or home address to Jim Carr at 215-620-6547, and they will send you a registration.

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Are you ready to get in the holiday spirit? With several Christmas-y events on tap, this is your week.

Here’s what’s on:

Saturday, November 30

Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones return to The MacSwiney Club, 510 Greenwood Avenue in Jenkintown.

Due to popular demand, that’s for everyone who couldn’t get tickets to the Friday night show in this cozy space. The show starts at 8 p.m.

(If you’d like more insights into Derek and his long musical history, check out our podcast.)

Sunday, December 1

Break out the mistletoe. The holiday kicks off with a Christmas Tree Lighting and Open House at the Commodore John Barry Arts & Cultural Center (the Irish Center), 6815 Emlen Street in Mount Airy. You really have to put this one on your calendar. If you’ve not visited the Irish Center, here’s a chance to see the place at its absolute family-friendly best, with music, dancing, vendors and sooooooo much more (including a visit from you know who). It all starts at noon and goes on ‘til 6 p.m. (Full story here.)

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Welcome to another compelling episode of “As the Irish Philly World Turns.”

Here’s how it turns this week.

Saturday, November 23

It’s “Tara Gael Night with the Hooligans” at St. Dominic’s Marian Hall, 8532 Frankford Avenue in Philly.

Join the Tara Gael Dancers as they host a fun-filled night with great music, starting at 7 p.m. The event is a benefit for the Tara Gael Dancers to help them go dancing in the streets in the 2020 Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Tickets are $35 per person, including beer, wine, soda and buffet. BYOB for additional drinks.
If you would like to pay via Venmo @Danielle-Pastella.

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This is absolutely one jam-packed week, starting with a weekend full of events you won’t want to miss.

Without further ado:

Friday, November 15-Sunday, November 17

Tickets are still on sale for The Straight Out of Ireland exhibit, presented by the Irish Immigration Center of Philadelphia, which kicks off tonight with a VIP reception and a preview of this stunning art show in a mansion on the campus of Sacred Heart Academy, 480 S. Bryn Mawr Avenue in Bryn Mawr.

The exhibit showcases more than 20 artists from Ireland and another dozen artists from the United States who have been influenced by the culture of Ireland. Straight Out of Ireland features a range of contemporary art, including ceramics, glass, drawings, lace, jewelry, photography, paintings fashion and more.

The event continues through the weekend, with Saturday devoted to a celebration of the art, with panel discussions featuring the artists, and the opportunity to check out the exhibit at your leisure. Sunday is Family Day, featuring activities for the kids, including a puppet show, dance exhibition and presentation by the local Gaelic Athletic Association.

We previewed the event last week, ever hopeful that many of you would get tickets. If you didn’t, there’s still time, and here’s the link. We also presented a story on Straight Out of Ireland that will give you many more details.

Saturday, November 16

Out at Villanova, you can catch the university’s annual Intercollegiate Irish Dance Festival, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Jake Nevin Fieldhouse. The day is jam-packed with Irish dance routines presented by college and university Irish dance teams from throughout the country. We’ve been there a few times, and absolutely loved it. The event is hosted by Villanova University’s Irish Dance Team.

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There are two benefits this week, and another big one a little later on. Here’s what’s happening.

Saturday, November 9

It’s Cummins School of Irish Dance dine and donate night at Jerzee’s Sports Bar and Pizzeria, 2609 Mount Carmel Avenue in Glenside. The benefit starts at 5 p.m. Billy from Philly will provide the tunes, and there will be a visit from the newly crowned Miss Mayo 2020, Tara Regan. A portion of food sales from eat-in and take-out will benefit the Cummins School.

Friday, November 15-Sunday, November 17

The Straight Out of Ireland Exhibit, presented by the Irish Immigration Center of Philadelphia, kicks off with a private VIP reception and preview in a stunning mansion on the campus of Sacred Heart Academy 480 S. Bryn Mawr Avenue in Bryn Mawr.

The unique exhibit showcases more than 20 artists from Ireland and another dozen artists from the United States who are influenced by Ireland. This is Ireland as you have never seen it before, featuring a range of contemporary art, including ceramics, glass, drawings, lace, jewelry, photography, paintings fashion and more.

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