Celtic Pride in Tinseltown

I know I've mentioned this several times now, but I want to make a special appeal to Kansas City's Irish community to support the upcoming premiere event for the film The Wind That Shakes The Barley.

I don't know too many people who haven't been touched by cancer in one way or another. My own father died of cancer. But I was lucky. I had him for 24 years. Imagine a very young child losing her father or mother. Imagine the parent left behind. Imagine the struggle, the pain...and the financial hardship. I'd imagine you'd want to help.

Here's how you can. Join us Thursday for the premiere party. All the proceeds go to the newly formed Jennifer Ireland Foundation, which was created in memory of a young mother who passed away last year, leaving two small daughters behind. Jennifer's husband Chris has made this foundation as a monument to Jennifer and a potential life-saver for young families who might find themselves in a situation like his.

While the cause and the impetus for the foundation may be serious, this is going to be a party, with all the Hollywood glamour we can muster here in Cowtown. Creative black tie dress is encouraged. You'll stroll down the red carpet, past the spot light, through the velvet ropes to a pre-party at the theater at 6:15. Drinks, food, live Irish music as well as rubbing elbows with Mairtin de Cogain who plays Sean in the film, precede the showing. The film, which I told you about here, begins at 7:30 and is followed by more partying. This time, the festivities move to the back of historic Kelly's Westport Inn, which will be transformed from it's usual...oh, let's call it "rusticness"...into a beautiful, swanky nightclub by Irish Fest's own Erin Keikbusch and crew. Your ticket gets you in to a huge spread of food, beer, wine and well drinks, plus more hobnobbing with movies stars and other beautiful people like yourself. Eddie Delahunt will provide music, and there'll be a silent auction of great stuff like movie memorabilia, and an Irish Fest weekend package.

Tickets for all this fun and all this good karma are $100 per person and will be available at the door if you can't get to one of the places (Browne's, Cafe &, The Trouser Mouse Bar and Grill in Blue Springs and Doherty and Sullivan in Lee's Summit) they're being sold in advance. If you can't make the whole evening but still want to party like a movie star, you can buy a ticket to the after-party for $50 at the door.

The movie is fantastic, the cause is worthy, the bar is open. Sounds like a great way for Kansas City's Irish to get together and start the weekend a little early. Please get your ticket and join the fun.

www.jenniferirelandfoundation.com