Welcome 2014
additions to St Patricks at the
Custard Factory with Moseley Folk. There's some great local music, too, all free. You might have to move around a bit...
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| If you absolutely must |
As of today, we're
two weeks away from St Patricks Day. In Birmingham, as elsewhere,
it's a huge deal. But it's especially important in Brum because of
the size - and roots - of the brummy Irish community. And it's the
third largest St Pat's party in the world, behind New York and
Dublin. Crikey.
Of
course, it's a huge deal everywhere. And it means different things to
different people. I'm not a fan of green beer or silly hats, but lots
of people love that stuff, so if that floats your boat, well good
luck to you.. There is something particularly nice about the fact
that St Pat's in Brum, while a huge knees-up, is also a massive
cross-cultural celebration. And everyone loves a parade. If it's got
dragons, so much the better. So, of course, there will be a dragon:
an Oilliphéist, no less.
What
about music? Oh yes, there's tons of music. Details – some details,
at least - after the jump.
I once
spent St Pat's in Dublin, when I worked for RTE. My Donnybrook hotel was
awash with Midwestern Americans in emerald green t-shirts. They lapped up the
schlocky cabaret entertainment the hotel dished up for them, but wouldn't head
into the city itself. Weird - why fly four thousand miles to the beating heart of it all if you're not going to get close to the action? Me? I did, and had me a fine old time. Well, I
think I did – it got a bit hazy. This contrasted with several
unsettling St Pat's spent in New York, where workmates elected to be
Oirish Rebels Battling Heinous Colonial Oppression – well, for the day, at
least - and gave this lone Brit a hard time. There were... barbed
conversations. Out on the streets, it was party time: there was the
fine but incongruous sight of an all-Latino marching band done up to
the nines in emerald green, trucking down the street to a decidely
non-celtic groove.
Back in
Brum? Well, Digbeth and elsewhere will be jumping. 80 thousand people
will have a splendid day. But step past the Guinness foam hats and
the commercialised ballybollocks, and there is a LOT of great local music to
be found, most of it free.
Inside
and all around the Custard Factory, right next to the main parade
route, the Emerald Village has a live stage curated by Moseley Folk,
running all afternoon. That's a first, and a welcome development.
Headliners are the excellent The Old Dance School. Also on the bill
is the great Paul Murphy, Boat To Row, and new boys Boys of Barr na Sraide - not to be confused with, but clearly inspired by, the classic song
made famous by Christy Moore, Mary O'Riordan and others.
There's an
awful lot more going on – drum workshops, an alcohol-free zone for
families. Someone even mentioned zombies. I'd expect to see them
around closing time, not mid-afternoon. But you never know...
It
doesn't stop there. Across Digbeth from the Custard Factory the Spotted Dog has long hosted fortnightly gatherings of the finest
Irish traditional music players in Brum. While the website could do with a bit more detail, I'd say it might well be worth sticking your head
round their door to see what might be going on in their rather lovely
covered garden.
And on
Digbeth itself, there's more stuff set for the Irish Centre and the
Crossing in South and City college. Scheduled for daytime slots in
the college are gigs from MotorcityString Band, Irish five piece band Lampa, and The Father Teds. You might find yourself shuttling frantically between venues... but crossing the road during the parade? Tricky.
All of this takes place in the afternoon. Have fun. Evening time? That's up to you.
All of this takes place in the afternoon. Have fun. Evening time? That's up to you.
Links
The 'official' St Patricks' Day site - good for basic info and a lot more
The 'official' St Patricks' Day site - good for basic info and a lot more
The Emerald Village facebook page
More music posts on Radio To Go
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