Okay all you sort-of-Spielbergs, kind-of-Coppolas, hardly-Hitchcocks and almost-Apatows. You have less than week left now to get your video entry in for your chance to win our great prize package. Sunday night at the stroke of midnight, we pull the plug. The theme is "Take Me Out To The Irish Fest" in keeping with our heritage area display on the history of the Irish in baseball. Two grand prizes could be awarded, one voted on by us, one voted on by you.
People’s Choice: Online voting at KCIrishFest.com occurs July 20-26.
KCIF’s Choice: Our judges will evaluate the videos based on the rules stated here.
PRIZES
People’s Choice
1st Prize: 4 weekend tickets to The Snug and 4 tickets to the comedy show ($1020 value)
2nd Prize: 2 weekend tickets to The Snug and 2 comedy show tickets ($510 value)
3rd Prize: 2 weekend tickets to The Snug, a $500 value
KCIF’s Choice
4 Weekend tickets to The Snug and 4 tickets to the comedy show ($1020 value)
And remember, qualified videos will earn their filmmakers 2 general admission tickets to KCIF and two comedy tickets...$30 value. Why would you not give it a try? If you need some inspiration, here's our sample. Keep in mind this was produced by a 14 year old kid, so you should be able to do a lot better. Right?
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Delahunt Day
Happy birthday today to the reigning Mr. Irish Fest, Eddie Delahunt. Eddie is 96 today and would like nothing better than for you to come by Cafe & today and shout your birthday wishes at him loudly, what with him being so old and hard of hearing and all. Maybe poke him in the ribs real hard first to make sure he's awake.
Have a great...I mean HAVE A GREAT DAY, EDDIE!
Have a great...I mean HAVE A GREAT DAY, EDDIE!
11:01 PM
Irish Fest is open 30 hours over Labor Day weekend. From 5:00 to 11:00 on Friday, from 11:00 to 11:00 Saturday and Sunday. Now we staff people work on the festival all year long. And I know you look forward to it all year long. So thirty hours? After 362 days of waiting, working, anticipating? Please. Not even close to long enough for either of us to enjoy the fruits of all this labor. But we're kind of stuck. Crown Center, wonderful as they are, won't let us party down there all night. And even if they would, the city has these pesky things called "noise permits" and we can't keep bands playing after 11:00. So after we close, there's that dilemma...where we going?
Raglan Road Irish Restaurant & Pub is where. Again this year, Raglan Road is the place - the only place - for the official Kansas City Irish Fest after parties. All three nights, beginning when we end. Live Irish music, great food, no cover, and...brace yourselves for this one: the chance to hang out with genuine Irish Fest staffers. I know I've already talked you into with that last little enticement, but there's more. A free shuttle bus will take you right from the Irish Fest grounds right to Raglan's front door at 14th and Grand.
Come Irish Fest weekend,you'll see signs telling you exactly where to catch the bus and and join the party. Better yet, head there a few times between now and then, you know, just for the practice. We've just 53 days to go.
Raglan Road Irish Restaurant & Pub is where. Again this year, Raglan Road is the place - the only place - for the official Kansas City Irish Fest after parties. All three nights, beginning when we end. Live Irish music, great food, no cover, and...brace yourselves for this one: the chance to hang out with genuine Irish Fest staffers. I know I've already talked you into with that last little enticement, but there's more. A free shuttle bus will take you right from the Irish Fest grounds right to Raglan's front door at 14th and Grand.
Come Irish Fest weekend,you'll see signs telling you exactly where to catch the bus and and join the party. Better yet, head there a few times between now and then, you know, just for the practice. We've just 53 days to go.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Run On Down To Brookside
If you're in my Brookside neighborhood today for the annual sidewalk sale, you might see a little table with a couple of pretty girls sitting at it waiting to tell you all about why and how you should volunteer to work at the Kansas City Irish Fest which opens in, holy crap, 55 days which happens to be the average gestation period for a mink, and how and why you should join The Snug, our exclusive but not so exclusive that we won't let you in club that is without any question your best Irish Fest value so be sure and stop and visit with those two pretty girls and let them inform, educate and illuminate you.
And that my friends is what we call a run on sentence. Sister Scholastica is surely rolling over in her grave.
And that my friends is what we call a run on sentence. Sister Scholastica is surely rolling over in her grave.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Time, Gentlemen
5:00 on Friday. Turn off the computer and get yourself to a high stool and a black pint.
Take Us For Granted
Applications for 2009 Irish Fest grants are now being accepted. Like right now. What are you waiting for? Let us help your Irish dreams come true. The clean ones anyway.
Apply today. And good luck.
Apply today. And good luck.
Straight From The Snug Sister's Mouth
I've told you all about the joys of Snughood. But really -and any one who knows me well will echo this- what the hell do I know? But as all fundamentally incompetent but basically wise people do, I know the right people to go to for accurate information and the inside skinny. In Snug terms that person is Snug Mistress Carol Braun. And she has this message for you folks sitting on the Snug fence:
Is this Heaven? No, it’s the Snug
Okay you Fest-goer out there – you know who you are. You picked your day last year – got your honey-do list done on the other days - and you saw all the performers you most wanted to see, and you consumed all the Fest food and drink you could take, and you entered that picture of yourself kissing the Blarney Stone in the photo contest, and you learned how to say as well as play the bodhran, and you joined in the kids parade, maybe jumped on the bouncey things, maybe visited the Feis until your ears vibrated from the hard-shoe on wood floor roar, maybe even went to Mass! At some point – say mid-afternoon, walking down Grand towards the Boulevard Stage, you were suddenly enticed by the lovely entrance to the Snug, and then, even more enticed by the glowing interior. You said: Wow, you have an actual bar in there? You have a private bathroom in there? You have free food in there? –What is this place?? You said. And those heavenly Snug girls in their charming & snuggly manner, explained to you about Irish Fest’s private club. They broke down the whole package for you: the 10 drinks of your preference, the Fest admission ticket, the one of a kind Snug shirt, the poster, the raffle prizes, the comfy sofa, even the home-made cookies! And you replied to those Snug girls: What a great deal! Wow, I wish I would have known about it before half of my day here was over! Well darn, next year I’ll do things differently, you said (as you quickly added up everything you’d already spent). Next year I’ll remember: the Snug strategy!!!
Yeah, do it.
Carol Braun, Snug Sister
Is this Heaven? No, it’s the Snug
Okay you Fest-goer out there – you know who you are. You picked your day last year – got your honey-do list done on the other days - and you saw all the performers you most wanted to see, and you consumed all the Fest food and drink you could take, and you entered that picture of yourself kissing the Blarney Stone in the photo contest, and you learned how to say as well as play the bodhran, and you joined in the kids parade, maybe jumped on the bouncey things, maybe visited the Feis until your ears vibrated from the hard-shoe on wood floor roar, maybe even went to Mass! At some point – say mid-afternoon, walking down Grand towards the Boulevard Stage, you were suddenly enticed by the lovely entrance to the Snug, and then, even more enticed by the glowing interior. You said: Wow, you have an actual bar in there? You have a private bathroom in there? You have free food in there? –What is this place?? You said. And those heavenly Snug girls in their charming & snuggly manner, explained to you about Irish Fest’s private club. They broke down the whole package for you: the 10 drinks of your preference, the Fest admission ticket, the one of a kind Snug shirt, the poster, the raffle prizes, the comfy sofa, even the home-made cookies! And you replied to those Snug girls: What a great deal! Wow, I wish I would have known about it before half of my day here was over! Well darn, next year I’ll do things differently, you said (as you quickly added up everything you’d already spent). Next year I’ll remember: the Snug strategy!!!
Yeah, do it.
Carol Braun, Snug Sister
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Happy Birthday Mary Alice!
Twenty three candles on the old Irish Fest birthday cake for board of directors member Mary Alice Beebe. Mary Alice, who oversees our sponsor and artist hospitality and our children's area among other things, is also our resident redhead on the board which as an Irish event we are required by law to have, which you may not have known. She's also a steady force and a calm voice of reason on around a boardroom table where such qualities are highly valuable and sometimes rare. She's also a great and dear friend.
Sadly, thanks to term limits MA will be leaving us after the 2009 festival to pursue the idyllic life of a retired board member, being waited on hand and food by adoring acolytes in the private Retired Board Members Lounge (not common knowledge, but maintaining the Lounge is where some 60% of our funds are spent) and laughing at all us poor peons left behind doing the work. And as if losing her wasn't bad enough in itself, one of us remaining boardies now has to dye our hair red to stay legal.
Happy birthday, Mary Alice. Hope your 23rd year is your best one ever.
Sadly, thanks to term limits MA will be leaving us after the 2009 festival to pursue the idyllic life of a retired board member, being waited on hand and food by adoring acolytes in the private Retired Board Members Lounge (not common knowledge, but maintaining the Lounge is where some 60% of our funds are spent) and laughing at all us poor peons left behind doing the work. And as if losing her wasn't bad enough in itself, one of us remaining boardies now has to dye our hair red to stay legal.
Happy birthday, Mary Alice. Hope your 23rd year is your best one ever.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Those Fabulous 50's
Fifty nine days now is all that stands between you and the 7th annual Kansas City Irish Fest. Fifty nine days and a hotel reservation are all that stands between you and your best ever Kansas City Irish Fest. Allow me to elaborate.
Sean came to Irish Fest on Saturday.He spent the day listening to music, checking out the feis, doing a little shopping. He learned some stuff at the heritage area. He ate some great food. Saturday night he heard more great music and danced and had beers with friends. At 11:00 when the Irish Fest gates closed he went home, fed the dog, watched a little TV and went to bed. A good day.
Sorcha came to Irish Fest on Saturday. She spent the day listening to music, checking out the feis, doing a little shopping. She learned some stuff at the heritage area. She ate some great food. That night she heard more great music and danced and had beers with friends. At 11:00 when the Irish Fest gates closed she headed the short distance down the road to Raglan Road Irish Restaurant and Pub for our star studded after-party. More live music and frivolity reigned there. Later, energetic girl that she is, she shuttled back to the Hyatt Regency Hotel at Irish Fest. She headed to Spectators Bar where she found several Irish Fest performers in a blazing session. She met some of the people she'd seen on stage that day and night. She danced a little, picked up some fiddling tips, and partied until closing time. Then she took the short elevator ride but to her luxurious yet reasonably priced room to bed. A great day. And the next day she did it all over again with the free festival ticket she got when she checked in.
If option B sounds like your kind of Irish Fest experience, book that room at either of our anchor hotels. They're both on the grounds, both discounted and both include fest tickets. You can't go wrong...unless of course you wait too long and the rooms are all taken.
Better do it now.
Sean came to Irish Fest on Saturday.He spent the day listening to music, checking out the feis, doing a little shopping. He learned some stuff at the heritage area. He ate some great food. Saturday night he heard more great music and danced and had beers with friends. At 11:00 when the Irish Fest gates closed he went home, fed the dog, watched a little TV and went to bed. A good day.
Sorcha came to Irish Fest on Saturday. She spent the day listening to music, checking out the feis, doing a little shopping. She learned some stuff at the heritage area. She ate some great food. That night she heard more great music and danced and had beers with friends. At 11:00 when the Irish Fest gates closed she headed the short distance down the road to Raglan Road Irish Restaurant and Pub for our star studded after-party. More live music and frivolity reigned there. Later, energetic girl that she is, she shuttled back to the Hyatt Regency Hotel at Irish Fest. She headed to Spectators Bar where she found several Irish Fest performers in a blazing session. She met some of the people she'd seen on stage that day and night. She danced a little, picked up some fiddling tips, and partied until closing time. Then she took the short elevator ride but to her luxurious yet reasonably priced room to bed. A great day. And the next day she did it all over again with the free festival ticket she got when she checked in.
If option B sounds like your kind of Irish Fest experience, book that room at either of our anchor hotels. They're both on the grounds, both discounted and both include fest tickets. You can't go wrong...unless of course you wait too long and the rooms are all taken.
Better do it now.
Comedy.com
Our 2009 comedian Ardal O'Hanlon is coming to Kansas City and by extension to America. Which is why I refer to him as our 2009 comedian and not just "that comedian Ardal O'Hanlon"or "near sighted comedian Ardal O'Hanlon". And if you've wondered about what an Irish comedian thinks about performing to American audiences as opposed to Irish ones, about having a politican father, his new film, pretending to be somebody he's not and other interesting topics check out this clip of his appearance this past weekend on RTÉ's Saturday Night With Miriam. And for God's sake, if you do nothing else of value this year, plan on seeing one if not both of Ardal's shows at the Kansas City Irish Fest over labor Day weekend.
Thanks to alert reader Paul Nolan in Dublin for the tip. More about him later.
Thanks to alert reader Paul Nolan in Dublin for the tip. More about him later.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Boom
All of us at Kansas City Irish Fest wish you and yours a happy 4th Of July and hope that the 5th of July finds you still in possession of all your fingers. Be careful with those pyrotechnics, kids.
Friday, July 03, 2009
Independence Day
As is our custom here on the Independence Day holiday break, I'm being a good, lazy American and publishing reruns so I can go spend some quality time with family, beer and explosives. Since you probably forgot it since you read it last year, here's your annual history lesson in the role of the Irish in this American holiday. Have a great, fun, safe weekend everybody.
Mostly True Hisory from Tir na Blog
•The Declaration of Independence was written, from Thomas Jefferson's draft, by an Irishman. Charles Thompson, born in Maghera, Co Derry was secretary to the first Congress. His additional line, referring to King George as a "feckin' eejit" and "a cute British hoor" was ultimately removed from the final version of the Declaration.
•John Dunlap, a native of Strabane, first printed the Declaration of Independence, which was first read to the people from the window of the hall in which Congress met, by Colonel John Nixon, another Irishman. In 1815, John Binns, of Philadelphia, another Irishman, published the document for the first time, with reproductions of the signers' signatures. Those reproductions were also rumored to have been used by Binns to sign for bar tabs across the colonies in ensuing years.
•The Declaration of Independence was signed by fifty-six men, of whom nine (including Secretary Thompson) were of Irish origin or descent. Mathew Thornton, born in Ireland in 1714, signed for New Hampshire. James Smith, who signed for Pennsylvania, was born in Ireland in 1713. George Taylor, a signer also for Pennsylvania, was also born in Ireland. George Read, of Delaware, was the son of Irish parents and would later help author the US Constitution. Signer Charles Carroll was of Irish descent. Other Irish-American signers include Thomas Lynch, Jr., Thomas McKean and Edward Rutledge. And Irishman Colm O'Sullivan was twice sent out for sandwiches and beer during the first meeting of the Continental Congress.
Mostly True Hisory from Tir na Blog
•The Declaration of Independence was written, from Thomas Jefferson's draft, by an Irishman. Charles Thompson, born in Maghera, Co Derry was secretary to the first Congress. His additional line, referring to King George as a "feckin' eejit" and "a cute British hoor" was ultimately removed from the final version of the Declaration.
•John Dunlap, a native of Strabane, first printed the Declaration of Independence, which was first read to the people from the window of the hall in which Congress met, by Colonel John Nixon, another Irishman. In 1815, John Binns, of Philadelphia, another Irishman, published the document for the first time, with reproductions of the signers' signatures. Those reproductions were also rumored to have been used by Binns to sign for bar tabs across the colonies in ensuing years.
•The Declaration of Independence was signed by fifty-six men, of whom nine (including Secretary Thompson) were of Irish origin or descent. Mathew Thornton, born in Ireland in 1714, signed for New Hampshire. James Smith, who signed for Pennsylvania, was born in Ireland in 1713. George Taylor, a signer also for Pennsylvania, was also born in Ireland. George Read, of Delaware, was the son of Irish parents and would later help author the US Constitution. Signer Charles Carroll was of Irish descent. Other Irish-American signers include Thomas Lynch, Jr., Thomas McKean and Edward Rutledge. And Irishman Colm O'Sullivan was twice sent out for sandwiches and beer during the first meeting of the Continental Congress.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
The Doings At The Irish Center
Head to the Irish corner of Union Station for these upcoming events at the Museum and Cultural Center:
Mon. July 6, 13, 20, 27 Irish Language Shortcourse
An Bhfuil Gaielge Agat? (Do you speak Irish?) Learn now!
6 - 8 pm, Mondays in July and, if enough interest, course repeated Tuesdays in August
The stuff you really want to know, including: Your name and phone number, count to 12, pronunciation rules, days of the week, colors, 13 familiar phrases such as "How are you?" etc., 20 "I want..." I like..." etc. phrases. A more-fun and less-studious course that complements all IMCC Irish language classes. Great for the whole family or anyone getting ready for a trip to the old country. Share the language of their heritage with the next generation!
$80 for adults 20 and older; $60 for ages 12 - 19. Bring a teenager or two.
Instructor Renata Henley, BA in Celtic Studies from Berkley, MPhil in Irish Studies from University College, Dublin .
Call Renata at 816-223-0417, the Center at 816-474-3848, or email info@irishmuseum.org to sign up.
Regular 10-week courses will resume in September.
Sat. July 18 Duane Porter, local author of Molly O'Malley, Rise of the Changeling
2 pm, free, all ages welcome.
Local award-winning author will present fun facts about Grace O’Malley, the Pirate Queen of Ireland and the subject of the upcoming final book in the Molly O’Malley trilogy. Porter has written two books in his Irish trilogy following the spunky Molly O’Malley and her friend Paddy Finegan, the leprechaun. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Sun. July 19 Irish Musicians Jam Session
1 – 4 pm, free, all welcome. Bring your instrument or just come to enjoy the music.
Fri. July 31 St. Patrick's Day at the T-Bones
7:05 pm, all welcome. Visit www.tbonesbaseball.com to order tickets. Come hear the Irish National Anthem before the game.
Save-the-Date
Mon. Aug. 31 Irish Classic Golf Tournament
Mark your calendar now. All welcome!
Irish Museum and Cultural Center Golf Tournament at the National Deuce Course.
Check our remodeled website at www.irishmuseum.org or call the Irish Center 816-474-3848
If you are an Irish nonprofit or IMCC business member, send us your events to put on the KC Irish events page! Call 816-474-3848 or email info@irishmuseum.org to post events, become an IMCC member or rent the Irish Center for your special event, meeting or activity.
Mon. July 6, 13, 20, 27 Irish Language Shortcourse
An Bhfuil Gaielge Agat? (Do you speak Irish?) Learn now!
6 - 8 pm, Mondays in July and, if enough interest, course repeated Tuesdays in August
The stuff you really want to know, including: Your name and phone number, count to 12, pronunciation rules, days of the week, colors, 13 familiar phrases such as "How are you?" etc., 20 "I want..." I like..." etc. phrases. A more-fun and less-studious course that complements all IMCC Irish language classes. Great for the whole family or anyone getting ready for a trip to the old country. Share the language of their heritage with the next generation!
$80 for adults 20 and older; $60 for ages 12 - 19. Bring a teenager or two.
Instructor Renata Henley, BA in Celtic Studies from Berkley, MPhil in Irish Studies from University College, Dublin .
Call Renata at 816-223-0417, the Center at 816-474-3848, or email info@irishmuseum.org to sign up.
Regular 10-week courses will resume in September.
Sat. July 18 Duane Porter, local author of Molly O'Malley, Rise of the Changeling
2 pm, free, all ages welcome.
Local award-winning author will present fun facts about Grace O’Malley, the Pirate Queen of Ireland and the subject of the upcoming final book in the Molly O’Malley trilogy. Porter has written two books in his Irish trilogy following the spunky Molly O’Malley and her friend Paddy Finegan, the leprechaun. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Sun. July 19 Irish Musicians Jam Session
1 – 4 pm, free, all welcome. Bring your instrument or just come to enjoy the music.
Fri. July 31 St. Patrick's Day at the T-Bones
7:05 pm, all welcome. Visit www.tbonesbaseball.com to order tickets. Come hear the Irish National Anthem before the game.
Save-the-Date
Mon. Aug. 31 Irish Classic Golf Tournament
Mark your calendar now. All welcome!
Irish Museum and Cultural Center Golf Tournament at the National Deuce Course.
Check our remodeled website at www.irishmuseum.org or call the Irish Center 816-474-3848
If you are an Irish nonprofit or IMCC business member, send us your events to put on the KC Irish events page! Call 816-474-3848 or email info@irishmuseum.org to post events, become an IMCC member or rent the Irish Center for your special event, meeting or activity.
For The Kids
Kids, you know what time it is? You guessed it. Time to send mom and dad off to meet with their parole officers and for all the kids to walk through the big green door of Uncle Bloggy's Story Yurt. Come on over, pull up a stool - get out of Uncle Bloggy's recliner, kid- and settle in for today's story and its important lesson. That's right, there's a lesson. What, you think I tell you these stories for fun? Now one of you get Uncle Bloggy a bottle of Boulevard Story Juice and we'll get started. I don't have all day.
Once upon a time there were these two little children type people, much like yourselves. Their names were Hansel and Gret...no wait a minute, these were Irish kids. Their names were Diarmuid and Róisín. They lived in the woods or someplace like that with their mother and their wicked stepfather. While their mother, as all Irish mothers including Uncle Bloggy's dear mother are, was a lovely woman and a saint, their stepfather was a gobshite of the first order. One day he decides that life without Diarmuid and Róisín would suit him just fine so he takes them out deep into the woods and leaves them there without a crumb to eat or a drop to drink. Speaking of which, Uncle Bloggy needs another cold one. You there by the fridge. No, you can't have one. Now where were we? Right, the wicked stepfather has dumped Diarmuid and Róisín in the woods far from home and their lovely mother. And off he goes. Now unbeknownst to him, Róisín, clever girl, was on to his plan from the start and had brought along a pad of Post-it® Notes and a pen. Every so often, she would write down whatever word popped into her head and stick the note to a tree or a rock or a hibernating bear so that after the aul fella left them it was an easy chore to follow the trail of notes back home, collecting the Post-its® along the way so as not to litter. When they got home Diarmuid and Róisín found that the house had been re-sided in candy by their mother who as luck would have it was a witch, but not the bad kind. When they told her what her husband had done she turned him into a 6' 2" Snickers® bar and they consumed him over the span of several days. And the Post-it® Notes with the random words that Róisín had left as a trail, the clever young girl found that when arranged together they made a wonderful story which she entered in the Kansas City Irish Fest story contest and won a great prize. Diarmuid, not quite as clever as his sister, busied himself eating the house. They all lived happily ever, yadda yadda yadda the end. The lesson? The lesson is that the deadline to get your story in for the Kansas City Irish Fest story contest is July 15th so you'd better get moving. I mean it. Get out of the Story Yurt. Uncle Bloggy needs a nap.
Once upon a time there were these two little children type people, much like yourselves. Their names were Hansel and Gret...no wait a minute, these were Irish kids. Their names were Diarmuid and Róisín. They lived in the woods or someplace like that with their mother and their wicked stepfather. While their mother, as all Irish mothers including Uncle Bloggy's dear mother are, was a lovely woman and a saint, their stepfather was a gobshite of the first order. One day he decides that life without Diarmuid and Róisín would suit him just fine so he takes them out deep into the woods and leaves them there without a crumb to eat or a drop to drink. Speaking of which, Uncle Bloggy needs another cold one. You there by the fridge. No, you can't have one. Now where were we? Right, the wicked stepfather has dumped Diarmuid and Róisín in the woods far from home and their lovely mother. And off he goes. Now unbeknownst to him, Róisín, clever girl, was on to his plan from the start and had brought along a pad of Post-it® Notes and a pen. Every so often, she would write down whatever word popped into her head and stick the note to a tree or a rock or a hibernating bear so that after the aul fella left them it was an easy chore to follow the trail of notes back home, collecting the Post-its® along the way so as not to litter. When they got home Diarmuid and Róisín found that the house had been re-sided in candy by their mother who as luck would have it was a witch, but not the bad kind. When they told her what her husband had done she turned him into a 6' 2" Snickers® bar and they consumed him over the span of several days. And the Post-it® Notes with the random words that Róisín had left as a trail, the clever young girl found that when arranged together they made a wonderful story which she entered in the Kansas City Irish Fest story contest and won a great prize. Diarmuid, not quite as clever as his sister, busied himself eating the house. They all lived happily ever, yadda yadda yadda the end. The lesson? The lesson is that the deadline to get your story in for the Kansas City Irish Fest story contest is July 15th so you'd better get moving. I mean it. Get out of the Story Yurt. Uncle Bloggy needs a nap.
DJ Irishman In The House
The next time you're having a party, a wedding, an unconventional funeral- any event that needs some music- I hope you'll give Colm Delahunt, aka DJ Irishman, a call. Colm, brother to reigning Mr. Irish Fest Eddie Delahunt has been spinning discs for years and is ready to liven up your shindig, soiree or hooley. Colm asks that you kindly give him a shout at (913)548-6765 or check out his website.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
New Contest!
Remember way back this morning when I hinted that there was a new contest coming coming soon? Soon is here.
Announcing the first Kansas City Irish Fest video contest. In conjunction with our heritage area exhibit on the Irish in baseball we're asking you to interpret the theme "Take Me Out To The Irish Fest" in a one minute or shorter video. How you interpret it is up to you. At great expense, our crack video production team headed by 14 year old producer Tommy Regan and slightly-over-14-year-old director Laren Mahoney have produced a sample video to get you inspired, or more likely to get you thinking "I could do better than THAT!" Prizes will awarded to winners of an online vote and a KCIF judges vote. And every qualifying entry (we do have some rules) wins free tickets to Irish Fest and our comedy performance by Ardal O'Hanlon. Entries will be accepted between now and midnight July 19th. Winners will be announced July 27th. All the details and that sample video are right here.
Good luck!
Announcing the first Kansas City Irish Fest video contest. In conjunction with our heritage area exhibit on the Irish in baseball we're asking you to interpret the theme "Take Me Out To The Irish Fest" in a one minute or shorter video. How you interpret it is up to you. At great expense, our crack video production team headed by 14 year old producer Tommy Regan and slightly-over-14-year-old director Laren Mahoney have produced a sample video to get you inspired, or more likely to get you thinking "I could do better than THAT!" Prizes will awarded to winners of an online vote and a KCIF judges vote. And every qualifying entry (we do have some rules) wins free tickets to Irish Fest and our comedy performance by Ardal O'Hanlon. Entries will be accepted between now and midnight July 19th. Winners will be announced July 27th. All the details and that sample video are right here.
Good luck!
When You Cara Enough
I had a comment on an earlier post this morning from Rolf Wagels, the bodhran player for the band Cara who'll be making their first appearance at the Kansas City Irish Fest this year, joining us all the way from Germany. You may recall their band announcement way back when the ground was froze. So I thought you might want to see Rolf in action, teaching that goatskin some manners. Good man yourself, Rolf.
Prep
With July here and Irish Fest only 65 days away (the average gestation period of a common house cat, if you were wondering) things are really starting to heat up. Have you booked that room yet? Have you snagged your perfect volunteer job yet? Have you mapped out your weekend music listening schedule yet? Have you heard about our great new contest yet?
Oh, I didn't tell you about the new contest yet? I'll have to correct that. Soon.
Oh, I didn't tell you about the new contest yet? I'll have to correct that. Soon.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
And Sobering News Is The Kind We Don't Like
At our monthly committee meeting last Thursday volunteer coordinator Daneil Armstrong gave us some sobering news: volunteer sign-ups for Irish Fest are down. Down 20% from this time last year. Now I know that you've all been busy driving the kids to their court appointed public service and mowing the house and painting the lawn and whatnot. And I know you'll all come through in the end and won't let us down. But seriously, enough drama. We've got plenty of other things to worry about in these last 66 days without worrying about this.
Remember, we're a 99.9% volunteer run event. Top to bottom we're just like you, doing this work for the love, the fun and the awesome free t-shirts. So let's end the drama. You know you're going to do it. Sign up. Today. Like, now. Please? And for those of you who have already done so, I offer another in a series of helpful e-mails that you can send to your slacker friends. This one is to be sent to your acquaintances of the opposite gender, if you know which one that is.
Fill in the blanks, send away.
Dear_____________,
We’ve been friends for what, _____ years now? Well, I have to confess something. I’ve always had, well, certain feelings for you. I know it’s crazy, but I can’t help it. When I gaze into your __________ I just get this ____________feeling in my _____________. What is it about you that makes my _______________ get so ________________? Though you’re gorgeous and sexy and sensitive and intelligent and I love the way your ___________ moves when you ________________ , I think the thing that makes you so incredibly attractive is the way you’re so giving, caring and thoughtful. For instance, I bet you’ve already volunteered to work at this year’s Kansas City Irish Fest. That is so you, donating your time and talents like that to help KC’s best festival. Just thinking about the way that free volunteer t-shirt fits you makes me tingle like I’ve got a live__________ in my ___________ and it’s trying to get out. Honestly, I think if you weren’t the kind of person who’d volunteer for Irish Fest, I don’t think I’ve ever think about you this way. Then you’d just be another ____________ like _________ __________.
You know, I volunteered to work at Irish Fest too. Maybe since we’re both going to be there, we could get together after our shifts are over, have a cold ____________and some hot _______.
XOXO
Me
Remember, we're a 99.9% volunteer run event. Top to bottom we're just like you, doing this work for the love, the fun and the awesome free t-shirts. So let's end the drama. You know you're going to do it. Sign up. Today. Like, now. Please? And for those of you who have already done so, I offer another in a series of helpful e-mails that you can send to your slacker friends. This one is to be sent to your acquaintances of the opposite gender, if you know which one that is.
Fill in the blanks, send away.
Dear_____________,
We’ve been friends for what, _____ years now? Well, I have to confess something. I’ve always had, well, certain feelings for you. I know it’s crazy, but I can’t help it. When I gaze into your __________ I just get this ____________feeling in my _____________. What is it about you that makes my _______________ get so ________________? Though you’re gorgeous and sexy and sensitive and intelligent and I love the way your ___________ moves when you ________________ , I think the thing that makes you so incredibly attractive is the way you’re so giving, caring and thoughtful. For instance, I bet you’ve already volunteered to work at this year’s Kansas City Irish Fest. That is so you, donating your time and talents like that to help KC’s best festival. Just thinking about the way that free volunteer t-shirt fits you makes me tingle like I’ve got a live__________ in my ___________ and it’s trying to get out. Honestly, I think if you weren’t the kind of person who’d volunteer for Irish Fest, I don’t think I’ve ever think about you this way. Then you’d just be another ____________ like _________ __________.
You know, I volunteered to work at Irish Fest too. Maybe since we’re both going to be there, we could get together after our shifts are over, have a cold ____________and some hot _______.
XOXO
Me
Don't Go
I was running with Dugan Dog this morning and this song propelled us along for a little while. I'm declaring it the song of the day.
I saw Liam O Maonlai, the Hothouse Flowers' lead singer perform this song at a solo show in Massachusetts a few years ago and he told the story behind it. A friend of his had been critically injured, in a motorcycle accident if I remember correctly. O Maonlai had been to see him in the hospital where he lay in a coma he'd never come out of. He went directly from the hospital to band rehearsal and wrote this song to his friend on the way.
Ignore the cheesy '80's video, listen to words, get outside and be glad you're living. And whatever you do, live long enough to see Hothouse Flowers at the Kansas City Irish Fest in just a whisker over two months.
I saw Liam O Maonlai, the Hothouse Flowers' lead singer perform this song at a solo show in Massachusetts a few years ago and he told the story behind it. A friend of his had been critically injured, in a motorcycle accident if I remember correctly. O Maonlai had been to see him in the hospital where he lay in a coma he'd never come out of. He went directly from the hospital to band rehearsal and wrote this song to his friend on the way.
Ignore the cheesy '80's video, listen to words, get outside and be glad you're living. And whatever you do, live long enough to see Hothouse Flowers at the Kansas City Irish Fest in just a whisker over two months.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Hooray For Hollywood ( Co. Wicklow)
2009 Kansas City Irish Fest comedian Ardal O'Hanlon has a new film coming out next month. We told you he was a big deal. Ardal stars in Wide Open Spaces as Myles, who unwillingly finds himself involved in the construction of a famine theme park. The trailer and a clip featuring Ardal are below. Ardal does two shows at Irish Fest Saturday night, 66 days from this very one.
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