Lads and lassies
If there?s one thing the Irish do well, it?s party, and there?s a big one coming this weekend.
Irish Fest, West Palm Beach?s annual celebration of all things Irish, takes place Saturday, March 10, and Sunday, March 11, at the Meyer Amphitheatre, and yes, it?s a week early.
Boasting full bagpipes and dynamic dancing, Irish Fest is two days of authentic Irish music, dance, culture, food and vendors. Festival organizer Sheila Hynes says there are about 700,000 Irish Americans in South Florida and she expects to see many of them over the two days.
"I love looking out over that sea of green," she said. "But it?s really all about the music. Irish music is about storytelling, about telling Ireland?s history through music." You?ll find traditional entertainment alongside new age Irish and see the evolution of Irish music from the bagpipes to the banjo.
This year?s entertainment is an eclectic mix of all styles of Irish music from traditional Irish folk to edgy Celtic Rock. Featured entertainers include Ireland?s greatest folk band, The Young Wolfetones, and the all-girl rock band The Screaming Orphans from Dublin. If you?re a Bono fan, check out U2 BY UV, a U2 Tribute Band. The performers early in the day are quieter and better suited for children, Hynes said. "At night, the volume rises and the wilder it gets! Bring children in the morning."
The family friendly festival is a great way to introduce children to their Irish heritage, and they?ll have games, crafts, storytelling and special shows for the kids in the Keltic Kids Korner.
Another highlight are the three different schools of dance, Hynes said. "There are step dancers, like River Dance. Then there are the Ceili Dancers, couples dancing the waltz and fox trot. It?s very unique and wonderful to watch, and they?ll dance every hour. Then there are the Irish cloggers, sort of country Irish dancers." Notice that dancers? arms are often restricted while dancing. This demonstrates control and grace and draws attention to the intricate steps.
Of the food, Hynes says, "You must try the bangers and mash and shepherd?s pie, but we also have a few thousand pounds of potatoes and corned beef and cabbage." And no Irish meal would be complete without a pint of Guinness or a Harp. For the less adventurous, there?s Miller Lite. For the kids, there?s an o?dog, the Irish answer to the hot dog, and other less-Irish options.
Hynes also loves the Gaelic Mass at 11 a.m. Sunday. "It is really beautiful even if I don?t understand a word," she laughs.
Irish Fest on Flagler takes place from noon-11 p.m. Saturday, March 10, and noon-8 p.m. Sunday, March 11, at Meyer Amphitheatre, 104 Datura St. at Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach. Tickets are $5 adults, free for ages 14 and younger . Info: (954) 946-1093; www.irishflorida.org
A mile of oceanfront art
The 24th annual Art Fest by the Sea may have the most beautiful location of any of our local arts festivals. Located along State Road A1A, this mile-long outdoor art gallery has a wide array of handmade arts from about 300 artists to browse, set against a backdrop of the beach and the ocean. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 10, and Sunday, March 11. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce. Free parking and admission. Info: artfestival.com
All along the boulevard
The annual Royal Palm Art & Music Festival brings two days of art and entertainment to Royal Palm Beach Boulevard and Lake Challenger this weekend. More than 100 artists will transform Royal Palm Beach Boulevard into an outdoor museum of art with pastel chalk drawings of original works and masterpiece reproductions. Entertainment will offer a little something for everybody with jazz, blues, rock and country all on the menu, including bands from local schools. Other festivities include kayak races, bounce houses, carnival rides, food vendors, street performers and a beer garden. The festival begins with carnival rides only from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, March 9, and continues from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 10, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 11. Saturday night activities finish with a fireworks show set to music over Lake Challenger. Bring chairs or blankets. Info: (561) 790-6200; www .palmswest.com/rp-festival/
Source: http://www.pbpulse.com/events/2012/03/08/godosee-west-palm-beach-s-irish-fest-celebration-returns/
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