Best Bets For Irish Music In Detroit
Celtic music has a long, storied history rich in tradition. Break out your finest green attire and revel in that tradition at some of Detroit's most popular Irish-themed events and establishments.
25th Annual Saint Patrick's Day Irish Fest
The Hellenic Cultural Center
36375 Joy Road
Westland, MI 48185
(734) 525-3550
www.hellenicculturalcenter.com
Price: $10 admission, children are free
Date: March 17, 2012
Time: 3 p.m.
The Hellenic Cultural Center in Westland is a multi-purpose venue that can serve anyone's needs from catering to special events to business meetings. Every year the venue puts on a St. Patty's Day festival and this year's 25th Annual Saint Patrick's Day Irish Fest promises to be one of the area's best local Irish-themed events. The festival provides Metro Detroit's most comprehensive Irish experience featuring the best of Irish song and dance including music from the Crossroads Ceili Group. Irish step-dancing, Highland pipers, fiddlers and jigs will also be on display. Guinness and corned beef and hash will be available.
Gaelic League Of Detroit
2068 Michigan Ave
Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 964-8700
www.gaelicleagueofdetroit.org
Price: $5 - $10 cover
Hours: Mon to Thurs - 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., Fri to Sat - 12 p.m. to 2 a.m., Sun - 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Gaelic League of Detroit prides itself on being Metro Detroit's lead promoter of Irish culture and tradition. To help raise awareness, it offers a number of Irish-themed activities and events, many of which include live musical acts. During the month of March, including St. Patrick's Day weekend, the Gaelic League will have live Celtic music from 8 p.m. until 1 a.m.. This league represents some of Detroit's biggest and brightest talent.
Conor O'Neill's Pub
318 South Main St
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 665-2968
www.conoroneills.com
Price: No Cover
Hours: Daily - 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Click here for a calendar of events
Conor O'Neill's Pub in downtown Ann Arbor is one of the area's biggest and most popular Irish-themed bars. The pub was actually designed and built in Ireland and features Irish-themed entertainment every day of the week. During St. Patrick's Day weekend the pub will host an array of Irish music with DJ Matt Styles spinning dance classics on March 16, 2012, and a traditional Irish session on the evening of March 18, 2012. On St. Patrick's Day, the bar will have a number of special activities going on as well as live music all day with the Diggers trio who will be sharing their Irish ballads and drinking songs.
Related: Best Places to See Live Music In Detroit
Celtic Woman at the Fox Theatre
2211 Woodward Ave
Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 471-3200
www.olympiaentertainment.com
Price: $39 - $69
Date: March 23, 2012
Time: 8 p.m.
Click here for show info
The internationally acclaimed all female musical ensemble Celtic Woman, will be bringing their North American tour "Believe" to downtown Detroit's Fox Theatre on Friday, March 23. The tour is in support of their new CD/DVD release, Believe, which was released in January 2012. Celtic Woman's classic Irish sound and awe-inspiring vocalists make this a show that can't be missed. Celtic Woman will be backed by a dazzling six-piece band, the Aontas Choir, and a renowned championship Irish dancer.
O'Mara's
2555 W 12 Mile Rd
Berkley, MI 48072
(248) 399-6750
www.omaras.net
Price: $5 cover
Date: March 16, 2012
Time: 8 p.m.
Click here for a calendar of events
O'Mara's Irish restaurant in Berkley is one of the area's best kept secrets serving traditonal Irish food mixed with classic American restaurant food. The restaurant often has live jazz and Irish band entertainment. On Friday, March 16 at 8 p.m. the establishment will be showcasing Celtic music's Blackthorn Band. Traditional Irish songs mixed with jigs and shanties will help start the St. Patrick's Day revelry early. Each member of the band plays multiple instruments, including the wooden flute, accordion, tin whistle, five string banjo, cittern, bones and more.
Related: Best Underground Music & Art In Detroit
Tracy Heck is a freelance writer living in Dearborn, Michigan. She covers Music & Entertainment. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
