March undisputably belongs to the Irish. So if you have an urge to do something Irish-related, you should have little difficulty finding things to do. Attending a party, signing up for a class or lecture, walking in a St. Patrick’s Day Parade next Wednesday or hearing a fiddler over a pint of Guinness in a neighborhood pub are just a few suggestions.
Every year, organizations, concert promoters and clubs do their best to get into the Irish spirit. But with so much activity going on, we clearly couldn’t include everything.
So here’s a select guide to noteworthy Irish events in Chicago and the metro area this weekend and in the days and weeks ahead:
MUSIC
A good place to begin your St. Patrick’s Day celebration is the Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace St. (312-478-4408). The Northwest Side pub, which features traditional Irish music throughout the year, will present a weeklong series of concerts. The local band Parting Glass performs at 9 p.m. Friday. The cover is $3. On Saturday, traditional Irish singer extraordinaire Dolores Keane and her band will take the stage at 9 p.m. The cover is $12. At 8 p.m. Sunday it will be up to the Fureys, one of the most popular bands in Ireland, to turn up the heat. The cover is $17. Irishman Johnny Barrett will perform at 8 p.m. March 16 (no cover) and again on the 19th (when there will be a $3 cover). On March 18 and every Thursday, Kerryman Brendan O’Shea will be accompanied by a few friends (no cover). Show time is 9 p.m.
On St. Patrick’s Day itself, the Abbey will be offering an all-day-and-night bash. The music begins at noon and will continue until 1 a.m. with the likes of Pat Woods, Brendan McKinny, a new local Irish band named the Wild Geese, and Fitz and the Celts. The cover charge is $7.
In addition to the special St. Pat’s festivities, the Abbey presents Irish set dance lessons at 4:30 p.m. Sundays, followed by an Irish jam session at 8 p.m. Traditional Irish concerts are also presented at 8 p.m. every Wednesday featuring some of the best traditional players in town, such as fiddlers Liz Carroll and Martin Hayes and button accordionist John Williams. There is no cover on either day.
On Saturday, the Old Town School of Folk Music, 909 W. Armitage Ave. (312-525-7793), will present a “St. Patrick’s Day Doubleheader” with two of Ireland’s newest traditional bands, Arcady and Magenta Music. There will be two shows, at 7 and 10 p.m. Tickets are $12-$16.
Other Irish concerts of note:
Saturday: St. James at Sag Bridge Preservation Society presents an “Irish Cabaret” at the Willowbrook Ballroom, 8900 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs; 8 p.m.; tickets are available at the door or by calling 708-246-6072; $20 adults (includes one free Guinness) and $12 for children under 12 (includes one free soft drink). The performers include Arranmore, the Trinity Irish Dancers and the Doonaree Bagpipers. Irish gifts and food will also be available.
Tuesday: Enjoy a pre-St. Pat’s party at Smart Bar as deejays spin Irish recordings from the likes of Sinead O’Connor, the Pogues, U2 and Black 47, the latter a New York Irish bar band that is stirring up quite a ruckus, and others. Smart Bar (312-549-4140) is in the basement of Metro, 3730 N. Clark St. (312-549-0203). On Wednesday at Metro, the Drovers, Chicago’s favorite Irish rockers, will perform at 8 p.m. in an 18-and-older show. Also appearing will be Something Happens, from Ireland, and the Lupins. Tickets are $10.25 in advance, $12 at the door.
Wednesday: Elgin Community College Concert Band will perform a program of Irish music at 8 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center auditorium on the college’s main campus, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin; 708-697-1000, ext. 7240; freewill offering.
In addition, a number of bars feature Irish music on an ongoing basis. They include:
Augenblick, 3907 N. Damen Ave.; 312-929-0994. Despite the German name, Augenblick has been presenting traditional Irish music at 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays for several years in a friendly and informal setting. There is no cover.
Clearwater Saloon, 3937 N. Lincoln Ave.; 312-549-5599. Irish music at 9:30 p.m. Sundays.
Lizzie McNeill’s, 400 N. McClurg Ct.; 312-467-1992. Owners Lizzie and Brendan McNeill offer imported ales and stouts, food, dancing and live Irish music Thursdays through Saturdays.
FESTIVALS
St. Patrick’s Week at Gaelic Park, 6119 W. 147th St., Oak Forest; 708-687-9323. On Saturday, you can dance at 9 p.m. to the Emerald Stars. Admission is $5. At 10 p.m. in the Park Lounge, the Dave Glynn Band will perform. There is no cover. On Sunday, Gaelic Park is presenting a “Special South Side Irish Celebration Day” beginning with mass at 10 a.m. and an Irish breakfast afterwards. Admission is $5. Free shuttle bus service will be provided to the South Side Irish parade (see parades). Starting at 2 p.m., the day’s entertainment begins: the Celts at 3 p.m., Arranmore at 5 p.m., Ireland on Parade at 7 p.m. and the Emerald Stars at 8 p.m. In the Park Lounge, Six Mile Cross at 3 p.m. and the Dooley Brothers at 8 p.m. Admission is $10, kids 12 and under, $5, 3 and under, free. On Monday, “Ireland on Parade” will feature Irish step and ceili dancing and music, beginning at 7 p.m., by the Irish Musicians. At 9 p.m. you can dance to the music of the Celts. Free. On St. Patrick’s Day, there will be a St. Patrick’s Day family-style dinner at 6 p.m. with a raffle drawing at 7:30 p.m. The Dolores Keane Band will perform at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 (includes dinner). Other activities that day include a St. Patrick’s Day luncheon with corned beef and cabbage from noon to 2 p.m.; music and dancing until 3 p.m. with Brendan Moran. Afternoon admission is $10. Reservations are recommended. In the Park Lounge that night: Kevin O’Connor at 8 p.m. (no cover, food will be available); in the Celtic Room: dancing to a deejay at 8 p.m. ($3 cover).
Friday through Tuesday: “Irish Music Festival” at Butch McGuire’s, 20 W. Division St.; 312-787-3984. On Friday, the Dooley Brothers; Saturday, Bernie O’Glim, called Ireland’s answer to Garth Brooks; Monday: Whitey O’Day; Tuesday: Donnybrook.
Tuesday: “A Salute to the Irish” at the State of Illinois Center, in the Assembly Hall, 100 W. Randolph St.; noon-1 p.m.; 312-814-4187; free. Sponsored by the accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand and coordinated by the Illinois Department of Central Management Services. Entertainment provided by the Shannon Rovers, the Trinity Irish Dancers featuring Pat Roche and music by Paul Fitzpatrick and the Celts. Also included are giveaways and door prizes.
Wednesday: Chicago Hilton and Towers, 720 S. Michigan Ave.; 312-922-4400. Annual Irish extravaganza from 1 to 11 p.m. in the Northwest Exhibit Hall. Admission is $5. There will be continuous entertainment: Parting Glass, a three-piece vocal group, from 1 to 1:45 p.m. and from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m.; the Trinity Irish Dancers from 1:45 to 2:15 p.m. and from 6 to 6:20 p.m.; the Dooley Brothers, a folk quartet, from 4:15 to 5 p.m. and from 5:10 to 6 p.m.; the Shannon Rovers Pipe Band from 3 to 3:15 p.m.; Brogue, a four-piece band, will perform ballads, rebel songs and drinking songs (not necessarily in that order) from 3:15 to 4 p.m.; and the Celtic folk-rock of Fitz and the Celts from 6:20 to 8:30 p.m. Midnight Court will end the evening on a rousing note from 8:30 to 11 p.m. Also located within the hotel is Kitty O’Sheas, probably the closest thing to an authentic Irish pub in Chicago. The pub will present entertainment, beginning at noon: Peter Brady and Jim August from noon to 5 p.m. and again from 7 to 9 p.m. and Parting Glass from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Wednesday: “St. Patrick’s Festival” at the Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave.; 312-282-7035; from 1 p.m. until midnight; $10 per person (reservations necessary). Entertainment: the Banshees, Brendan O’Shea, Kathy Cowan, the Gaping Maw, Sean and Sheila O’Donnell, Johnny Barrett, the Francis O’Neill Ceili Group, the Young Irish Musicians, Carroll and O’Hara Band, Jamie O’Reilly, Jerry Sullivan and Friends, Crystal Woolsey, Beyond the Pale, the Irish Heritage Singers, Katie O’Shea with Mary Rose and Connor. Also clowns and magicians, ceili and step dancing, exhibits and films, handcrafted Irish gifts and Irish food.
Wednesday: annual St. Patrick’s festival at Fitzgerald’s, 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn; 2 p.m. to 1 a.m., 708-788-2118 or 708-788-6670, $6; the Meyers School of Irish Stepdancers with Paul and Mary McHugh at 3:30 p.m. and the Dooley Brothers at 7:30.
PARADES
On Sunday, the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicks off at 1:30 p.m. at 103rd Street and Western Avenue and continues along Western to 115th Street. The parade grand marshal will be the “Wee Folks of Washtenaw & Talman,” founders of the parade, which has been called the largest Irish neighborhood celebration outside Dublin. For further information, contact the South Side Irish Parade and Heritage Foundation at 10926 S. Western Ave. or call 312-238-1969.
The 38th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade (312-942-9188) starts at noon on Wednesday at Dearborn Street and Wacker Drive. Activities begin with a 9 a.m. mass at Old St. Patrick’s Church at Adams and Desplaines Streets. This year’s theme is “Irish patriots and Irish saints.” The grand marshal is Irish labor figure Francis X. McCartin and the guest of honor is the Irish Consul General Gary Ansbro.
The Harp and Shamrock Club, 1641 W. Fullerton Ave. (312-248-9785), is sponsoring free shuttle bus service from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from the club to LaSalle and Kinzie. The Emerald Society Pipers, a statewide association of Irish American police officers, will perform after the parade.
ART EXHIBITS
Through March 31: Landscapes of Ireland in oil, watercolor, pastel and graphite pencil by Irish-American artist Mary Phelan at the Irish American Heritage Center (see address above). Call 312-282-7035 for museum and art gallery hours or to schedule a tour.
LECTURES/CLASSES
The Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton St. (312-943-9090), is sponsoring these Irish or Irish-related classes: “James Joyce’s Ulysses,” beginning Wednesday and running through May 19 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. ($85); “Irish Identities and Irish Writing,” beginning Thursday and running through May 6 from 7:45-9:45 p.m. ($75); “Voyage to the Celtic Otherworld,” beginning Thursday and running through May 6 from 6-7:30 p.m. ($75); and “Music of the Celts,” on Tuesdays, April 27-May 25 from 7:45-9:45 p.m. ($45).
The Old Town School of Folk Music (see address above) is presenting “Irish Guitar Styles.” All adult classes are eight weeks unless otherwise indicated. General fee: $80; preregistration fee: $70. Four-week classes: general, $40, preregistration, $35. The next eight-week session begins the week of April 26. Registration opens March 29. The next four-week session begins the week of March 29; registration open now. Learn techniques for playing reels, jigs, hornpipes and other styles in solo and ensemble contexts. Level I (prerequisite: Guitar IV or equivalent); Thursdays from 7-8:20 p.m.; Level II (prerequisite: Level I or consent of instructor); Thursdays from 8:30-9:50 p.m.
The school’s “Chicago Masters Series” allows you to learn from local experts. Learn Irish fiddling, including bowing techniques, phrasing and ornamentation at the “Liz Carroll Fiddle Class” (for intermediate players); Wednesdays, March 31-April 21 from 6:30-8 p.m.; ($40).
The Irish American Heritage Center (see address above) offers beginning and intermediate Gaelic classes on Wednesday nights and Saturday afternoons (there’s also an advanced Gaelic class at 7 p.m. Saturdays). The center will be sponsoring several lectures in March, including a program on March 21 by Dr. Mary Helen Thuente of Purdue University, who will discuss the effect of the Belfast Harp Festival of 1792 on late 18th Century Irish culture. Other speakers in the series are: also on March 21, Dr. Thomas Cunningham of Loyola University, who will discuss “Culture and Survival in Northern Ireland”; and March 28, Dr. Thomas Hachey of Marquette University, who will discuss Irish neutrality during World War II. Call 312-282-7035 for details. Free.
On Sunday, Kohl Children’s Museum, 165 Green Bay Rd., Wilmette (708-251-6950), will present Family Fun Workshops from 2 to 3:30 p.m. “Lore of the Leprechaun” is a St. Patrick’s Day treat for both parents and children. Listen to myths and legends about the Emerald Isle and find out the real story behind the Blarney Stone. For children 4 and up; $12 members, $15 non-members (fee includes admission for one child, one adult and museum entry).
April 8: Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.; 12:15 p.m.; 312-744-8928. Betty Williams, the 1977 Nobel Peace Prize co-recipient (along with Mairead Corrigan and Amnesty International) will speak about working toward peace in Northern Ireland. April 21 at 5:30 p.m.: “Traditions of Northern Ireland: Performing Arts.” A choral/dance concert with the Irish American Heritage Choir and the Crossroads Ceili Dancers of the Francis O’Neill Club. April 22 at 12:15 p.m.: “Northern Ireland: The Troubles.” Local Irish-American journalist John Conroy, author of “Belfast Diary: War as a Way of Life,” will discuss the history of “the Troubles.” The lecture will be followed by a concert of Irish folk music by Jamie O’Reilly and friends.
