The teen music group CeĂłl Milis, left and the Trinity Celtic Band, seen outside the Dublin House, are among the Irish-themed attractions in and around the greater Green this weekend.
The best thing about St. Patty’s Day on and around the greater Red Bank Green? That’s easy — it never ends.
With world-class publick houses like Red Bank’s own Dublin House taking it year ’round, such arbitrary distinctions as “what day is it” soon melt into mootness — and with frequent visits by various Irish Tenors and Riverdancers to capture our fancies, those disappearing Shamrock Shakes will scarcely be missed.
We’ve got tin-whistle music on the beach in summer, Guinness Oysterfest in the fall; we’ve got the evergreen appeal of Celtic Christmas celebrations — and, as reported by our friends in local Irish band The Snakes (who are playing a gig for the Little Silver Volunteer Fire Company on March 19) we’ve got the phenomenon known as Saint Practice Day.
Here in a month that climaxes on March 26 with the return of the Red Bank Pub Crawl, we’ve also got a mid-March weekend’s worth of four-leaf closure to satisfy all who yearn for a fix of Irish words, music, movement and menu. Read on.
SATURDAY: Gaelic Mass and Irish Parade in Rumson. The third annual St. Patrick’s celebration at Holy Cross Parish actually begins at the nearby Sea Bright Bridge just before 8a, where participants in the church’s all-welcome Flag and Bagpipe Parade are invited to make the march to the doors of Holy Cross Church on Ward Avenue. An Irish language mass will be conducted at 9a, at the conclusion of which the activities move to the Holy Cross Gymatorium — where an Irish Brunch and Festival offers up live music by local favorite Dave McCarthy, plus a traditional Irish breakfast, kids’ activities, step dancing and more. There’s a $20 brunch charge for adults (call for more info on child/ senior/ family discounts), and there’s no charge at all to take part in the parade or the Mass. Reserve in advance at (732 )842-0348, extension 2.
SUNDAY: An Irish Afternoon at NovelTeas. It’s an event presented by the Middletown-based cultural organization Claddagh na nGael — and hosted at NovelTeas Authors Aromas & Gifts, Kim Widener‘s book salon/ tea room/ gift boutique on the Left Bank of Red Bank. Featured are words from MĂcheál Ă“Máille (delivering an “interactive discussion on Irish history and language”), and music from CeĂłl Milis, a scary-young band of traditional Irish music specialists from Rockland County, New York. There’s also specialty teas and teatime fare from Kim and company — and tickets ($15 in advance) can be reserved online.
SUNDAY: Dublin’s Traditional Irish Cabaret at the Count. If you’ve been searching hill and dale for a St. Patty’s smorgasbord, you’ve come to the right place. There’s something for every Celtic craving here — from Riverdance stepping (by Dublin’s Traditional Irish Dancers) and one of the Original Irish Tenors (Paul Hennessy), to master instrumentalists (champion accordionist Ailbe Grace; pipes player Tommy Keane) and even a veteran of The Commitments (soprano Emer Hartnett). Favorite Irish comic Noel V. Ginnitty hosts, and yes, chances are excellent that you’ll be hearing “Danny Boy.” Tickets for the 3p show are priced between $19.50 and $35, and can be purchased online from the Count Basie Theatre.
SUNDAY: RBCS St. Patrick’s Day Dinner. It’s the fourth annual celebration of St. Pat’s in food, hosted by Red Bank Charter School at its Oakland Street facility. Such traditional delectables as corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, Irish stew and soda bread are the stars of this show, and they’re being served up from 3 to 6p proceeds dedicated to the enrichment programs at RBCS. Tickets ($10 dollars adults, $7 kids) can be reserved at (732)450-2092.
SUNDAY: Trinity Celtic Band at MTPL. You’ve seen them at the Dub and other local haunts — and this weekend the the sextet of multi-instrumentalists known as Trinity Celtic Band returns to Middletown Main Library for a 4p program of traditional Irish songs, from lilting ballads to “driving reels and jigs.”
St. Patty’s Day Pub Crawl in Red Bank. A tad late for actual-fact St. Pat’s — perhaps so not to cross paths with this weekend’s Wedding Walk? — this March 26 event brings together a collection of “Red Bank’s hottest bars and restaurants” for some good times and a great cause — the NJ Blind Citizens Association and its Camp Happiness facility in the Leonardo section of Middletown. Call (732)291-0878 for registration ($25; includes commemorative t-shirt) and more info.
