irishphiladelphia.com

The first parade is about a week away, but before then there’s plenty of music, festivals, and other events to whet your appetite.

Irish Ambassador Anne Anderson addressed both those topics at the annual Ambassador’s Awards, sponsored by the Philadelphia-based Irish American Business Chamber and Network. Three local business leaders were honored.

With legendary traditional singer Séamus Begley on board, this well-established band produces a terrific, indispensable addition to your music library.

Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day parade Director Michael Bradley has a daunting new task: trying to keep Delaware County’s Catholic schools open. And he means business.

Snow fooling, the Mid-Winter Scottish and Irish Festival will be going strong all weekend, so head to Valley Forge and warm yourself to three days of tunes and songs. Donal Clancy arrives on Monday, and there’s much more going on. Weather permitting.

Neither snow, nor rain, nor sleet, nor ice–and no power–can stay us from telling you how to be Irish in Philly this week. There’s Jamison, Clannad, Kodaline, Annalivia, the Broken Shillelaghs. . .plenty to keep you warm.

It’s a bracing and skillful CD from Tina Eck and Keith Carr. It’s wonderful fun. Buy it and play it until it skips.

It doesn’t feel like spring, but Timlin and Kane are headlining the annual Celtic Spring Concert at Sacred Heart Church this weekend. Also on tap: a new Irish play debuts, Irish Heritage Night at the 76ers, and Gerry TImlin launches a lecture series on Irish history and music.