By Lee B. Roberts
Journal Times | Posted: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 12:00 am
RACINE - We may not dye our river green, like our big city neighbors to the south, but Racine has its own festivities planned in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. Both this weekend and Tuesday offer a variety of options for wearing of the green, from Downtown's St. Patrick's Day Parade to evenings of Irish music and revelry at local pubs. And at the center of it all is the Racine Literacy Council's Celtic Night for Literacy, which will take place Saturday night, March 14, at Memorial Hall, 72 Seventh St.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: 15th Annual Celtic Night for Literacy, featuring Bua, Ce' and the Caledonian Scottish Dancers
WHEN: 5 to approximately 10 p.m. Saturday, March 14. Concert time is 7 p.m.
WHERE: Memorial Hall, 72 Seventh St.
COST: Advance-purchase tickets are $18 adults; $15 seniors (62+) and $10 for students. Ticket prices are $3 more at the door. Tables for eight are available for $150 and individual table seating is $20 per person. All proceeds from this event benefit the Racine Literacy Council's Adult Tutoring Program.
INFO: Go to http://www.racineliteracy.com or call (262)
632-9495.
The Celtic Night for Literacy, which serves as a benefit for the Literacy Council, is an opportunity to immerse oneself in all things Celtic - from live music and dancing to cultural and historical displays, along with some ethnic food and drink.
"It is a pleasant night out for anyone who loves to have a good time," said Andy McLean, a founder of the event and former board member of the RLC.
The headliner for this year's Celtic Night is Bua, a Chicago-based Irish music quintet which has been described by "Irish Music Magazine" as "the essence of a superb band." Playing instruments that range from the bodhran and banjo to the concertina and uilleann pipes, this group focuses on old style Irish songs such as those played in the 1970s by groups including Planxty and The Bothy Band.
"We are inspired by their style of playing," said guitarist Brian Miller during a recent phone interview. "We also do a lot of dance tunes, reels and jigs, and we try to keep pretty close to what we feel is the more traditional way to play them."
One of the things that sets Bua apart from other Irish music groups here in the states is their lead vocalist, Brian O hAirt (Hart), who sings fluently in Gaelic, Miller said. The youngest person (and first American) to win the coveted Sgiath Uí Dhálaigh shield at the All Ireland Fleadh music competition in 2002, O hAirt sings in a style called sean-nós, which means old style.
Don't let words like old and traditional fool you, however, into thinking that Bua's performance will be staid.
"We play really upbeat music, so kids like it too," Miller said. "A lot of it is folky, but it also gets a little bit crazy sometimes."
That's not all
Opening the evening's entertainment will be Ce', a Milwaukee-based trio of multi-instrumentalists who play traditional and contemporary Celtic music. All three of these musicians - Asher Gray, Devin McCabe and Randy Gosa - have been playing and studying music since they were youngsters and all three have spent time in Ireland, feeding their passion for the music of that country.
"We play instrumental, traditional Irish music, rather than folk or Celtic rock," said McCabe, who plays fiddle, concertina and whistle with the group. "Much of what we play is 150-200 years old. And even the more modern things we do, we try to do in a more traditional style."
Members of the group, which performs throughout the Midwest, are all heavily involved in Milwaukee's music community both as teachers and performers. And, if you can't catch them at Celtic Night for Literacy, look for them at Shillings Irish Pub, where they perform on occasion.
Saturday night's audience will also be treated to a performance by the Caledonian Scottish Dancers. This dance company - which features costumes imported from Scotland with colorful, authentic tartans - performs traditional Highland and national dances to the sounds of the bagpipe.
Eat, drink, learn
If all that music and dance makes you thirsty and hungry, head over to Celtic Night's Guinness Pub, where you will find a variety of beverages (beer, wine and non-alcoholic) for sale. Irish-themed food items, including Corned Beef & Cabbage, Irish Steak and Stout Stew and Sausage Rolls, will also be sold with prices ranging from $3.50 to $10.50.
Another offering of Celtic Night for Literacy will be its cultural exhibit, the highlight of which will be a facsimile of "The Book of Kells." A manuscript of the Gospels, which dates from the 8th century, "The Book of Kells" is the finest specimen of Irish illuminated art, according to Max Yela, special librarian at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Golda Meir Library. Yela will give an informal talk about the "The Book of Kells" at 5:30 p.m.
What is unique about Saturday night's exhibit is that because the book being shown is a facsimile, visitors will be able to touch it and view more than just two pages, as is allowed with the real "Book of Kells" on exhibit in Ireland, explained McLean.
"This is an exact reproduction, right down to the dirt marks and the worm holes," he said.
Also on display will be a collection of Irish sheet music from the Tin Pan Alley era, 1900-1920, which highlights the Irish-American contributions to this country's musical heritage. Tin Pan Alley is the name given to a collection of New York City-centered music publishers and songwriters who dominated popular music at the turn of the 19th century.
These are just some of the activities available at Celtic Night for Literacy, which serves as a major fundraiser for the Racine Literacy Council's adult tutoring program. The one-to-one tutoring program, which is staffed by trained volunteers, is the primary focus of the Literacy Council, whose mission is to provide adult literacy programs in Racine County and to bring awareness to the community about the importance and impact of literacy.
Need a ride home?
Keep in mind, as you celebrate St. Patrick's Day, that free rides home are available through the Racine Tavern League's Saferide program.
All a patron has to do is ask the bartender at a Tavern League establishment to call for a ride, and the bartender will set it up with the Designated Driver company. Patrons at taverns that are not members of the Racine City Tavern League may still call Designated Driver (262-884-4248) for a ride, but they will have to pay the company's $35 fee.
For more about Saferide, go to the Tavern League of Wisconsin's Web site at http://www.tlw.org and click on Saferide Program.
For more about Designated Driver go to: http://www.ddwisconsin.com