There’s been a trend toward a draught of fiddles, whistles and bodhrans every year right around March 17. Usually, WNC has no shortage of acoustic musicians ready and willing to crank out a jig or a reel at a moment’s notice. They’re playing at weddings, festivals, restaurants, pubs and on street corners on warm summer afternoons. But once St. Patrick’s day rolls around, well, just try to request a verse of “Drowsie Maggie” or “Cottage in the Grove.”
Maybe it’s because all the Celtic musicians land gigs in bigger cities on this, the day of green beer and leprechaun t-shirts. Maybe it’s because pub owners can’t afford the premium for a real live uilleann piper on St. Patrick’s Day. Maybe it has something to do with the difficulties for Irish musicians traveling from the Emerald Isle to obtain an Americvan visa. Maybe it’s just a really long commute and, to the Irish, St. Patty’s isn’t a very big deal. Whatever the explanation, club offerings for this Saturday turn up some very un Celtic sounds: Angry Kettle at Bobo Gallery, the Rebelles at the Grey Eagle, Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band at the Orange Peel. Even Diana Worthan Theatre, in the midst of its annual Celtic Mainstage Series, could only produce comedien James Gregory for the wearing of the green.
But don’t dispair — there are still a few oportunities to down a pint of Guinness to the strains of “Amhran na bhFiann” (that’s the Irish national anthem):
Thursday, March 15
• Jack of the Wood kicks off it’s Irish fest with the Dave Munnelly Band. 252-5445 for info.
Friday, March 16
• The Battlefield Band (who are, actually, Scots) play the Handlebar in Greenville, SC. (864) 233-6173 for info.
• Punk-Celt group Cut-throat Shamrock plays Jack of the Wood. 252-5445 for info.
Saturday, March 17
• Local acoustic trio Braidstream performs at the Blue Ridge Performing Arts Center in Hendersonville. 693-0087 for info.
• Celtic Knot take the stage at O’Malley’s Irish Pub in Waynesville. 452-4228 for info.
• Piper and fiddler Jack Devereux leads the festivities at Jack of the Wood, along with Jack’s Irish Session All-Stars. 252-5445 for info.
— Alli Marshall, A&E reporter
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