Out & About

I'm sure you all well know that the countdown is on; for what you say? The Saint Patrick's Day festivities of course, with lots of parades happening all over the country before March 17 - the official day - and after it. One that comes to mind is on March 7 and if I do not give it a good mention she will have my life. That is The Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk and Queens who will be celebrating St. Patrick's Day starting with a Mass at 10am at the Center by our Chaplin Fr. Malone, followed by a light breakfast.

The Parade starts down Franklin Avenue in Garden City from 9th Street at 1pm up to Old Country Road and the reviewing stand where Tony Jackson and the many dignitaries will be watching.

The Grand Marshal for this year's Parade is May O'Boyle Deegan, and her aides are, Grace Rowan, Barbara O'Brien, Ed Long, and Peter Collins. All are welcome to the open house back at the Center as doors open at 2:30pm, where there will be music, food, raffles and plenty of fun.

Every Saturday at 4pm you have the biggest Irish session that there ever was in Manhattan in Lillie's Irish Victorian Bar and Restaurant (at 13 West 17th Street between Broadway and 5th Avenue; (212) 337-1970) and let me tell you, you never know who you're going to meet as this place is Irish heaven in New York.

The talent that plays there is the cream of the crop! How do I know? Because I was there on Saturday and what was happening blew me away. Believe me, you will love it and for you traditional Irish followers of the music it's just great.

I walked in the door and low and behold who is at the bar but Paul Keating, Mister Irish music himself. Where was Eamonn O'Loghlin who would have loved this? ' The king was also there: Donnie Carroll! Yes, the same one who is launching his new CD at the Grandstand on Grand Avenue this Thursday night at 5.30pm and all are invited. Will you be there? I'll be there!

Lillie's is becoming the Irish Embassy for Irish music and with the owners Tommy Burke and Frank McCole what more could you ask for? As I said this is the "in place" to be and maybe meet me... I almost forgot the man behind the scenes is none other than Daniel Neely who is spearheading the whole gig. Now get down there every Saturday evening and you will think you are back at home! Oh it's great to be Irish!

Do not forget The Friends of the Fighting 69th evening of Irish Music with Pierce Turner, Gael Force, The Screaming Orphans, Seanchai & The Unity Squad and The Cunningham Brothers on Saturday March 13th from 3pm to 11pm at the 69th Regiment Armory (Lexington Avenue @ 26th Street). Tickets are priced at $24.95 and are available on-line at www.69thfriends.org.

I will be there, will you? It's always a great day with lots of craic and all proceeds from the evening will benefit the Fighting 69th Memorial Scholarship Fund. Back to the real business of being out and about: the Galway Hooker (on 36th Street between Madison and 5th Avenues) will be buzzing for the whole month of March as I was in last week and got to meet Ana Angelone who is a partner, and a host, and a friend and an organizer, and she was telling me about two great events that are coming up on Saint Patrick's week with Live Irish Music. On Monday 15 you have Dave Barckow & Vonnie Quinn playing Irish trad mixed with rocking covers. Then on Tuesday 16 they'll be hosting Anoch Irish Traditional at it's finest. Don't miss these two nights with some of New York's finest Irish musicians. The gigs run from 7pm to 10pm on both days. Now, how are they going to top that on the day itself - the 17th.

The Social Bar & Grill (795 Eighth Avenue, between 48th and 49th Streets; (212) 459-0643) are having a get out of the cold happy hour on Thursdays and are offering $3.50 Bud Lights and Coors Light bottles, $4.50 well drinks. $4.50 Pino Grigio and Cabernet wines, I wonder, do they have my brand? I'll have to check it out.

I have been telling you all about the new Pig'N'Whistle that is almost ready to open on 36th Street (just off 7th Avenue)... Well the good news is it will be open at the end of this week, I can't wait.

I was told that along with Pat Burke, the great Des O'Brien (yeah, the very same Des from Langan's and O'Brien's Irish Pub) has been putting a lot of time in to get it open. So am I, as you could be gasping with a pub with no beer... just kidding as again I had a sneak preview and "wow!" that's all I can say for now.

The Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues) has a spectacular show on at the moment called Candida by George Bernard Shaw that is one of Shaw's classic romantic triangles and goes on to April 18. For tickets call (212) 727-2737 or go to www.irishrep.com.

Last but not least, don't forget "Irish Boys vs. Irish Girls: A Night of Music with Barleyjuice and Searson" at Connolly's Klub 45 on Thursday March 11 from 8:30pm. It's $10 at the door and is sponsored by the Irish Business Organization of New York. I'll be dropping in, maybe Sheila will be buying yeheeeee!

See you all next week!