Jeff Meade

Big doin’s this weekend!

Tomorrow, Saturday, you can get a total immersion sneak preview of the Irish language at the Commodore Barry Arts and Cultural Center (the Irish Center).

It’s called Satharn na nGael. Although about a third of the attendees are expected to be Irish language newbies, there will also be intermediate and advanced classes.

In addition to language, there will be a focus on Irish folklore, customs, music and poetry.

The language classes take place in the morning and afternoon. You’ll also get a chance to try your hand (or foot) at Irish dance.

It’s all expected to be pretty informal, with lunch provided, and a traditional music session (seisiún) at the end of the day. You’re invited to bring snacks. The cost of admission is $50. The event is sponsored by Daltaí na Gaeilge (Students of the Irish Language).

For details, call Aengus Lawlor at 484-854-1040. Visit the Daltai website to register.

The Irish Center is at 6815 Emlen in the Mount Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia.

Next up:

If you’ve never been to the Philadelphia Irish Festival at Penn’s Landing, here’s your opportunity. (And if you have been before, you already know what to expect—and why it’s a guaranteed great time.)

The festival kicks off Sunday at noon on the waterfront below Front and Chestnut, and runs through 7 p.m. Throughout the day, you’ll be treated to Irish rock on the main stage—local bands and performers Jamison, and CJ Mills, Seamus McGroary and Joe Kirschen, along with first-timers from New York City, the McLean Avenue Band. And throughout the venue, you’ll find plenty of food and drink, and vendors selling Irish tchotchkes all over the darn place. If you dig Irish dance, you’ll be able to take in a good deal of high stepping, too. Continue Reading

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

Here’s how the week is shaping up.

Saturday night, Nathan Carter brings his Celtic country show to the Keswick Theater, 291 N. Keswick Avenue in Glenside, Montgomery County. The show starts at 8. Carter is hugely popular all by himself, but for this concert he is also joined by Celtic Woman alum Chloe Agnew. He has a superb band as well. Carter was a big hit a few months back at the Irish Center. Here’s another chance to catch his act. Continue Reading

It’s a light week for Irish types, but still manages to provide plenty of interest..

We have three events in the lineup.

The John Byrne Band takes the stage Saturday for a free concert—yes, free—at Drexel Lodge Park in Newtown Square. The concert starts at 4:30 p.m. The park is at 4104 West Chester Pike. A great band in a neat outdoor venue, and did we mention it’s free?

On a different note, catch an award-winning short film called “The American Wake” Sunday at 4:30 at the Philadelphia Irish Center, 6815 Emlen Street in Mount Airy. It’s the story of filmmaker Kevin Quinn’s grandmother’s immigration from County Mayo to New York back in 1950. You can also meet the filmmaker after the presentation. The film will show in the Irish Center’s Barry room right after the Mayo Association meeting. Continue Reading

How to be Irish in Philly this week, you may ask?

Funny you should ask!

Let’s start Saturday with a really big event, one of the highlights of the year: The Philadelphia Fleadh—pronounced “flah,” not “flea”—to be held at the spacious Pennsylvania Army National Guard Armory & Readiness Center, 2700 Southampton Road in Northeast Philadelphia.

This event, now in its seventh year, runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

There will be 13 bands and performers, including the Bogside Rogues, the John Byrne Band, Seamus and CJ, Ray Coleman and more, playing on several stages—that ought to keep you going for a long time. If you’re into traditional Irish music, you can take part in—or just listen to—traditional Irish music sessions. Local dance school Celtic Flame will host a dance competition, the Feis (“fesh”) at the Fleadh. Or you can strap on your own dancing shoes at a ceili.

Come hungry and be ready to spend some money on some cool Celtic stuff. There will be plenty of food and drink, plus vendors. The kids will find plenty to do, too, with face painting, a bounce house, balloon critters, and more. Continue Reading

This is going to be a terrific week for music, benefits and more.

We’ll start with a quick reminder: Jarlath Henderson, from County Armagh, Ireland, is the recipient of the BBC Young Folk Musician of the Year Award and is renowned as a balladeer and three-time winner of the All-Irelands on uilleann pipes. He also plays flute, whistle and cittern. In short: multi-talented. And tonight (May 3), he is appearing at the Commodore John Barry Arts and Cultural Center (a/k/a the Irish Center), 6815 Emlen Street in Philly’s Mount Airy neighborhood, together with Innes Watson.

The show starts at 8 p.m. Details here. Add this to your musical to-do list. Continue Reading