Now is the...uh...Spring of Our Discontent.

So.

Paddy's Day is a glorious but fading memory. The Kansas City Irish Fest of 2005 is long gone and Irish Fest 2006 is still 164 too-long days away. It's cold. It's snowing, fer crying out loud. Ah, sure there's some respite for those seeking a little patch of Irish green in KC. Eddie Delahunt is still hard at it, bless his heart. Bob Reeder, Tullamore and more local and out of town talent grace the stage up North at O'Malley's most weekends. And believe me, there are high-stool days like this one where a cool pint in a warm pub suits me fine. Better than fine.

But if you're one for the bigger gigs...the outdoor, big tent, speaker tower, beer in a plastic cup, dance on the asphalt hooleys... well, these are dark times.

To the rescue come The Westport Community Improvement District and the Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee. Shamrockin' In Westport returns in May and brings two 2006 Irish Fest performers, The Elders and 7 Nations to the big, outdoor stage. Saturday, May 13th, 6:00pm-11:00pm in the parking lot across Penn Street from the Beaumont Club, just a bit North of Kelly's.

That's only 53 days away!

Ah, I think the snow is melting...