It's A Date

Everywhere you see something about Irish Fest, be it a poster, a billboard or this very blog, you see those dates: September 3-5. I bet you've got those numbers memorized. I'm sure that if you saw a hobo holding up a cardboard sign that says "Need To Know When Irish Fest Is. God Bless" you could helpfully shout out "September 3-5!"

Only you'd be wrong.

Because a couple of our partners don't think that those three days are nearly enough Fest fun. So on Wednesday, September 1st Raglan Road Irish Restaurant and Pub, home of our official after parties Saturday and Sunday nights Irish Fest weekend is kicking off the weekend early with a special Irish Fest edition of their signature dinners with Chef Kevin Dundon. At 7:00pm that night try “A Taste of Ireland with Kevin” (Reservations required, contact Bethany at the pub). The dinner is $50 per person and will sell out, so don't snooze. Irish Dancer Bridgid Driscoll will perform at the pub that nigh as well, from 7:00-9:00pm along with live Irish music. Raglan Road is at the corner of 14th and Grand downtown.

Then on Thursday, Irish Fest Eve if you will, Kelly's Westport Inn at the corner of Westport Road and Pennsylvania Street will host the official KC Irish Fest kick off party. KCIF entertainers Evans and Doherty will perform, there'll be special prices on fine Boulevard beers and some Irish Fest giveways. You'll want to be there.

So see, Mr. Know-It-All? You didn't know the dates of Irish Fest after all. But now you do.

Instrumental

Guess what I got to do yesterday? I got to see and hold the newly finished Kansas City Irish Fest mandolin, funded by a KCIF grant and built by luthier Mark Franzke. This thing, if it's possible, is even more beautiful in person that in its photographs. That's Mark there holding it. He explained to me why he'd made certain design choices to make this ideally suited to Irish music and the needs of Irish players. The mere fact that Mark built it by hand makes me me even more like a talentless gobshite than I usually do, and that's saying something. It's spectacular. It's amazing. And it's yours, if you're the high bidder.

We're going to be auctioning if off beginning Irish Fest weekend. Proceeds will go to setting up an traditional music scholarship fund. And if you're an acoustic player, whether in Irish, Bluegrass or any other kind of music and would like to have Mark custom build your next instrument (he builds tenor banjos, too) you can contact him here.

Draw A Cow, Win A Prize!

There's a new contest at Irish Fest this year, in addition to the usual baking, picture taking, brewing and knitting. This year we have an art contest, specifically a draw-our-Irish-Fest-Cow contest. You can read all about the contest details here. So I was thinking, since I'm a genuine professional drawer of cows and other things too and you probably are not, I was thinking maybe I could help you in your quest to win this first-ever contest. So today, we'll have a cow drawing lesson. Get your paper and crayons and we'll begin.

Ready? Okay. First, draw a bean shape. This is will be the cow body. We draw a bean shape because cows like to eat beans. This is called art imitating life.

Got your bean all drawn? Good. Now we'll add legs and feet. Cow feet are really hard to draw, so we'll draw our cow standing in the mud. This is a common trick among us professional drawers. So now make you some legs and mud, like so:

Very good! We're well on our way now. Next we'll add a tail and...um...that milky sack thingy. This is a girl cow. Just draw it quick and don't think about it. Be sure to put a brushy end on the tail. It's this kind of attention to detail that will really turn the judges' heads.

This is really looking good! Now we'll really start moooving. Ha! Get it? Now draw another bean, sort of a lopsided one. Stick this one on the end opposite of the tail. This will be the cow's head. Which coincidentally is what the cow eats his beans with. Circle of life.

Can't you just feel that big prize now? You're a shoe-in to win. We're almost done now. Let's put a face on our cow bean head. Circles with dots for her eyes, just regular dots for her nostrils. Cow nostrils in real life are pretty gross, so we simplify. This is called "artistic license." Even though I told you attention to detail is something the judges will like, there's such a thing as too much detail, too. Nobody needs to see a realistic cow nostril.

Wow. This looks great! Now the big thing that separates our Kansas City Irish Fest cow from all other cows: the shamrock spot. So let's draw that and some other regular spots. Put the shamrock spot in the middle of the main bean where people will be sure to see it. Put the other spots wherever you want, I don't care.

Almost there. Now, just color it in and you've got yourself a cow picture that is sure to mean prizes, fame and quite possibly a glamorous and high paying career as a cow and other thing drawer. Great job! And good luck in the contest!

She Puts The O in Iowa

It's full-on festival season here in the waning days of July. Among many others, the great Dublin Irish Festival is next week, the 30th mighty Milwaukee Irish Fest is just a couple weeks away. If you're going, I expect reports. And souvenirs.

A relative newcomer to the roster is the Iowa Irish Festival, August 6-8 in sort-of-nearby Waterloo, Iowa. Featuring a plethora of KC Irish Fest performers including our hometowners, The Elders, the IIF is also presenting a member of our own Irish Fest family. Barbara Scanlon of our staff will present her fascinating Irish Genealogy Workshop on stage on the Saturday afternoon of that event. If you're an Iowan and you've ever wonder how your Great Great Uncle Sean ever ended up in Swaledale, Barb can tell you. If you're a Kansas Citian and not going to Iowa, you're still in luck because she'll be here at KCIF all Labor Day weekend long to help you unravel the mystery of how you became you.

Former KC Irish Fest president, bopard member and founder Ed "Mr. Barbara" Scanlon will be along too, signing autographs and kissing babies. So I encourage you to leave the poor babies at home.

Rejected

We had a big meeting of our marketing subcommittee a couple weeks ago to brainstorm how best to get the word out to the world about Irish Fest in these last critical days. Lots of ideas were bandied about and most ended up in the trash can, as usually happen with brainstorms. Which is fine. The cream rises to the top, the rest gets turned into...I don't know, yogurt or cottage cheese or something gross. Anyway, after the meeting it's my job to take the ideas and turn them into billboards and print ads and posters and stuff. Fascinating, I know.

Last night while working I came across this image–one of the cottage cheese ones–but I still think it's pretty cool, so it gets a second life here. Maybe not as good a life as having been turned into a 48 foot long billboard like the winning concepts, but better than the trash heap. For those of you from Elsewhere, this is a reimagining of one of KC's iconic structures, the Western Auto Building. As for the concepts that made the cut? You'll start seeing them all around you very soon.

Eddie On The Fringes

As part of Kansas City's ongoing Fringe Festival, be sure to catch a screening of the documentary film 'Resting Places'. Directed by Melissa Villanueva and filmed partially here in KC, the film is narrated by Liam Neeson and features none other than Mr. Irish Fest 2008 himself, Eddie Delahunt. There will be three screenings during The Kansas City Fringe Festival at Screenland in Crown Center, practically right on the Irish Fest grounds.

Thursday July 29th @ 8:00pm.
Friday July 30th @ 11:00pm.
Sun Aug 1st @2:00pm.

Don't miss it. And to think, we knew Eddie when he was one of the little people.

Team Player

My fellow Irish Fest director Laren Mahoney, who so ably managed the blog while I was away in the mountains last week, gave you her impressive list of responsibilities here at KCIF, including our MySpace, Facebook and Twitter presence, YouTube videos and a bunch of other stuff. But lest you thing that she's some socially awkward dweeb who's only comfortable sitting alone in front of a computer screen, allow me to introduce you to one of her real passions at Irish Fest.

Laren, seen here along with her sisters Karen and Sharon, is the founder and president of Irish Fest's Tartan Society. While the three Mahoney sisters are currently the only members they're in high hopes of adding at least a name or two to the roster in this their 6th year. If you're interested, please contact Laren and let her know.

PS...in a sort of "before they were stars" feature, here's Laren with her senior prom dates.

Back From Away

Hi festies. I'm back from the cool mountain west (it was 43° when baby Kate and I woke up at my family's cabin at 9,750 feet in the South San Juans yesterday morning) and I'm rested, refreshed and ready for the home stretch in these last 41 days until we light the fuse on Irish Fest 2010. Many thanks to Craig, Davey, Mindy, Barney and Rory for the brilliant posts while I was away. Great stuff, top to bottom.

And to Laren...well, let's just say I can Photoshop a little too, my dear. And payback is coming. Look for your official blog portrait here soon.

Norn Iron Part IV

Craig's had a busy day. You know, putting fires out and all in KCK. The real ones. But he's found time for one more blog because he cares about you... and about you not getting your arse kicked in Northern Ireland (or vice versa).

So you are in a pub and the bartender says “what are ye havin or whats yours?” he is asking, what would you like to drink. You can ask for a glass (1/2 pint, which a woman would order “ye big pansie”) or a pint (a man’s drink).

If you are in someone’s home and they ask “would you like a wee drop in your hand?” they are asking if you would like a cup of tea.


If they ask, would you like a “bickie” this is slang for biscuit which in turn is a cookie.


Soda is a bread.


Veda is a dark brown bread.


Bap is a roll or a bun (like hamburger bun)


Chips are fries


Crisps are potato chips

So let’s talk about the most popular conversation subject in Norn Iron, the weather. If someone says its “lashing outside,” they are telling you it’s raining very hard. Or they might say “it’s a good day for the wellies.”


If they say it’s “Baltic,” that means it is very cold and you should maybe be wearing a coat.


If they tell you they are “sweating like a gladiators jock strap,” that means that it is very warm outside.

These are just a few Norn Iron sayings that will help you survive when travelling as you will be able to get something to drink, something to eat, and dress appropriately for the weather.

Craig

Getting Out From Behind the Stage

Mindy Johnson, KCIF Director, former Boulevard Stage manager and teacher of the year tells us what she's excited about experiencing as a newbie this year.

Well, as a new board member, I’m busily learning the ropes. Having been kept backstage for a few years, I’m excited to check out the rest of the festival. We’ve grown by leaps and bounds, and beyond seeing glimpses when I was running from Boulevard Stage to Terrace Stage to the Green Room, I know I’ve missed out on lots of good stuff.

One area I’m excited to get to spend time at is our Heritage Area. Often times when I tell people I volunteer with Irish Fest and I take Irish dance lessons, the response is “Wow, so you’re Irish, huh?” Truth is, I have no clue. We can’t trace that side of the family, so no one really knows. I could try in our Geneology Area, because I’m sure Barb would be able to help me figure it out. She knows LOTS of stuff. However, if we couldn’t, I could just jump over to the Heritage Stage to learn how to speak Gaelic or cook a good Irish meal. If I’m really feeling talented that weekend, I could try to learn some fiddle or even the bodhran. Or, maybe ladies, you’d like to meet our Gaelic Footballers? So, while the Irish seem to be known for many things (see Barney’s earlier post about a pub), there are lots of things that are part of the Irish culture and we are doing are best to share them with you.

So, come over and join me this year in Heritage Area and who knows, maybe you’ll learn something new to impress your friends or that guy (or girl) you meet at the Festival.

Mindy

High til Spake Norn Iron Part III

KCIF Director Craig Duke is back with the last installment of his incendiary lessons on Northern Ireland. Read. Absorb. Memorize. Then chat up someone at this year's Fest and impress (amuse) them with your new knowledge.

The word Craic (pronounced crack) can be seen throughout the Irish Fest and in general terms means fun or having fun. But in Norn Iron, depending upon its context and usage, the term Craic not only refers to good times but also gossip. Some examples: She's great craic when she gets going! Did you not hear the craic? Laren is up the duff (meaning pregnant)? (Editor's note: NOT true.) That party was great craic! The craic's tremendous?

When visiting Norn Iron and you have no form of transport please don’t ask a female friend or new acquaintance for a ride! If you do you will probably get your balleex kicked in by her or a male family member, as you have just asked her to have sexual relations with you. If you need to go somewhere ask for a lift, it’s safer.

Yer Man: Is a general term used to describe someone who’s name is not known or someone you do not want others to know their name. “Is that Yer Man?” or “Just go over to Yer Man over there and tell him I said yer alright.”

Fingy: Another word used when you don’t know someone’s name “Were you with fingy last night?”

Youse or Youse-ins: A term to describe a number of people or a group. “Are youse (youse-ins) coming out form some craic tonight.”

Gutties: Are training shoes or running shoes.

Goes: Replaces “ I said” an example would be, “I was talking to yer man the other night and I goes, yer blottered, ye eejit.”

Other everyday words are:
Bake ; Face
Oxsters: Armpits
Piece: Sandwich or Lunch
Yermaa -an insult used when nothing else better can be thought of
Arse: Butt

So until the next time see ya and spake to youse later. I have to take baff now cuz my oxsters are mingin!!!

Craig

Irish Dreams

Don’t forget: If you have an idea, a dream, an Irish wish you want to come true, we may be able to help. Applications for 2010 KC Irish Fest grants are being accepted. Grants can be awarded to both 501c3 organizations AND individuals. Go to our grants page for all the details, restrictions and applications. These grants are our way of giving back to the community that allows us to put on our little party every Labor Day weekend.

Laren

From the Desk of the Prez

KCIF President, construction genious and Dublin native, Rory O'Connor, gives us some insight on a special project he and his wife have been working on this year.


For those of you who read this blog, my contribution will fit nicely into the “rambling” category. And like everyone else Laren pressed into service, this is my first blog. In fact this whole blogging thing has me befuddled.

Anyway, what I want to draw attention to is the new Art in the Park area, explain the thought behind it and what our BHAG (big hairy audacious goal) is for this section. Growing up in Dublin, when you walk past Merrion Square on the weekend, it’s divided up in 10’ sections by artists. It used to be informal and whoever got there first snagged the best spot. Despite the rain, etc., the artists would do their best to protect and sell their artwork. Most every Irish town will also have an area like Merrion Square. And while the smaller-town version would not go on every weekend, there would be set times when the artists are out.

Combining this tradition with the overall importance of art in Irish culture (and indeed in our family) was the genesis for Art in the Park. A “home run” would be for this section to grow up and get lots of great artists showing their wares. The BHAG is to involve other festivals, getting them to start their own Art section and maybe even get some big name artists from Ireland to come on the Irish festival circuit just like bands currently do.

It is great to have something to work towards and dream about.

Rory

Choose Us! Pretty please?

We're very excited to find out that once again your very own Kansas City Irish Fest has been nominated for some pretty high honors. Except this time, they are even higher. The annual Visitors' Choice Awards, presented by the Kansas City Convention and Visitors Association, honor the best in Kansas City according to visitors. This year, we’ve been nominated for Best Ethnic Festival, Best Family Festival, and the very top honor, Best of Kansas City. We're pretty stoked about that.

This is a big deal for us. After all, we won Best Festival in KC in 2007 and 2008. We ended up losing to the Renaissance Festival in 2009. And, we really hate to lose.

Here's who were up against:

Favorite Ethnic/Heritage Festival or Event

• Festa Italiana
• Fiesta Kansas City
• Kansas City Irish Fest
• Kansas City Greek Fest

Favorite Family Festival/Event
• Jiggle Jam
• Kansas City Irish Fest
• Kansas City Renaissance Festival
• KCRiverfest
• Santa-Cali-Gon Days

Best of Kansas City
• Country Club Plaza
• Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue
• Gates Bar-B-Q
• Kansas City Irish Fest
• Pryde’s Old Westport

So we need your help. If you live in the 5 county KC metropolitan area, you can't vote on account of you not being a visitor and it's their choice. If you live elsewhere, cast your vote by going here. If you do live here, contact all your friends and family outside town who love Irish Fest and have them vote. Help Irish Fest reclaim in its rightful spot atop all of our town's festivals and events. And help us show everyone that we are the Best of Kansas City.

Laren

Memories

The staff at KCIF spend pretty much every minute of their Labor Day weekend -- and for some, they spend the week -- on the grounds of Crown Center Square to set up and manage the Fest. A lot is learned about each other, sometimes culturally. And, a lot of memories are made over a few beers. Here is a favorite moment from KCIF director, Dublin-area native and Boulevard keg designer Davey Colgan.

In Uncky Bloggy’s absence, I would like to share a moment from last year's Irish Fest with you all.

As it seems to go, Ireland was playing a vital World Cup qualifier (which in the end didn’t turn out to be quite so vital as we failed to qualify for the tournament, boo Thierry Henry and Les Blues) against the mighty Cyprus. Our Fearless Leader, Rory O' Connor, with a computer and dodgy projector in hand managed to jerry-rig a way to watch to the game from a room at the Hyatt.

Once the 'all clear' was given, the secret-code signal was sent out across the walkie talkies, “The game’s on, get your arse’s over here!” A small band of Irishmen gathered to stare at a fuzzy, jumpy picture accompanied by a tangled audio feed that seemed better at confusing us than describing the action.

That group was myself, Rory, Ronan Collins (our Comedy King), Mr. Liam O' Maonlai of The Hothouse Flowers and Ardal O' Hanlon.

We had a beer, talked about how bad Ireland was and discussed Ardal’s love for Leeds Utd (Ha). And in the end, when Ireland scored the winning goal against a poor Cypriot side, we jumped from our seats cursing and didn’t high five each other – as is the Irish way.

So there you have it. The game was poor, Ireland was awful, the result was ok, and the picture and sound were terrible. But the craic was 90.

If you happen to be wandering around the Hyatt or possibly Crown Center over the Festival this year and hear a load of foul language drowning some very poor audio, interspersed with snippets of Irish commentary, now you’ll know that inside that room is just a few eejits giving out about their Football team with a conspicuous lack of high fiving but having a grand old time.

Davey

Ya buck eejit ye...

KCIF board member and fire warrior Craig Duke is back with an entertaining lesson on his home country. If you missed his first blog on Northern Ireland, check it out here.

"Ya buck eejit ye..."

Soon you'll be able to understand sentences like this! Can you believe how simple it is?! No?! Well you'd better try it then, because it’s really simple. So simple in fact, a Carryduff hairdresser could learn it!



These are just a few words used in Norn Iron to indicate that someone is drunk or in the process of getting drunk. Bladdered, Pole-Axed, Blitzed, Shattered, Wracked, Pished, Steamin, Banjaxed, Blootered.


If someone from Norn Iron is confused or they don’t know what to do next they may say to you, “I don’t know if I need a shite or a haircut”


If they are hungry they may say, “ My stomach thinks my throat is cut”


When someone from Norn Iron greets you with “What about yah or bout yah” they are actually asking “How are you today.”


If you are in the company of a female and you hear them say she has a “face on her like a Lurgan spade,” please don’t take this as a compliment of your companions good looks.


Finally for the day, if you ask someone how their day was or how their dinner tasted and the reply “ Stickin Out” this means nothing more than they were good. So remember this one if you are asked a question and your reply is positive.


Hopefully when this blog is finished you will fit right in on your visit to Norn Iron if not just “wind down your neck.”

Craig

Love part two

Danny talked about finding the man or woman of your dreams at Kansas City Irish Fest 2010 here. Today we're providing you with a sure-fire way impress the apple of your eye that you met at KCIF... forever. Turn the lights down low and put this gem on. You're welcome.



Laren

Be careful opening overhead bins…

From KCIF Vice President and Irish god (well, according to some guy at the Gaf anyway) Barney Walsh.

I’ve been doing a lot of business travel in the last 6 months. Close to 20 different airports have held me captive for more time than I care to reveal. Do you know what almost all of them had in common? An Irish Pub. Usually found within a gate or two of my connecting flight (luck of the Irish or just good karma?).

What is it about an Irish Pub that makes it so commonplace in the great airports of America? Clearly the business gurus of the airport industry have figured something out:

Captive travelers will settle for anything.

Nah, that can’t be right. If true, there’d be a German Brewhaus in the rotunda. There’d be Italian wine bars in every Terminal B. Mexican Cantina’s just off baggage claim 3.

They discovered what we all know. Everyone wants to be Irish. Everyone wants to be a part of our friendly inviting culture. Everyone knows the Irish to be fun loving, positive people. We have great stories, great beer & great music. All things that might draw a weary traveler into the close confines of an Irish Pub, a sense of home when home is still miles away.

So grab a friend and come join us at our little KCIF pub in September. You’ll need a boarding pass, but parking is free, you won’t have to take your shoes off and there’s no pesky fee for checked luggage.

You are now free to be Irish.

Barney

A lesson on 'Norn Iron'

Like I mentioned here, several board members are going to educate/entertain/ramble in blogs of their own this week. Here's the first!

Craig Duke, a former Northern Ireland resident, KCK Assistant Fire Chief, rocket scientist, famous kilt designer and KCIF board member, offers us a lesson or two on his homeland.


First and foremost Northern Ireland is pronounced “Norn Iron” by the locals, so try repeating this simple phrase 3 times and the next time you go on a trip to Norn Iron you will fit right in. So let’s look at what you should know about Norn Iron before you go on your first visit.


Famous People
These are a few of the famous people both living and deceased from Norn Iron:

Famous people (still living): Van Morrison (singer songwriter); Liam Neeson (actor); Stephen Rea (actor): Kenneth Branagh (actor) Craig Duke (Assistant Fire Chief).

Famous people (deceased): George Best (soccer player); James Galway (musician); C.S. Lewis (writer); Derek Bell (musician with Chieftains).


Norn Iron is also well known for a few other things.

• For example did you know that the famous luxury liner Titanic was built in Belfast.
• Bushmills Distillery is the oldest licensed distillery in the world and to this day produces some of the best tasting Irish Whiskey.
• Beleek China is world renowned and anyone who goes on a visit to Norn Iron will usually pick up a piece of china for a souvenir.
• Norn Iron has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. We have Giant’s Causeway, one of the natural wonders of the world, the Mourne Mountains, County Antrim Coast line, and in Downpatrick the grave site of St. Patrick himself.

So now you know a little bit about Norn Iron, tomorrow we will start our lesson on speaking Norn Iron .The accent of the people from Norn Iron is very unique, we have a tendency to speak very fast and utilize words or phrases from the English language to mean something completely different from its original meaning, which can sometimes frustrate the average tourist when asking for directions or information.

More Blog tomorrow,
Craig

Children’s Stage Schedule

Shawn Sulllivan-Warner does an amazing job putting together the kids’ activities for KCIF. It’s no small job. Last year more than 17,500 kids were entertained in our mammoth Children’s Area. They danced, bounced in our Jumpy Zone, made crafts, tried an Irish version of Guitar Hero, and among many other things that would take up a VERY long blog to list, they watched a LOT of great children’s performers on our Children’s Stage. Well, the Children’s Stage schedule was posted today. Check it out. Memorize it. Let your kid memorize it. Or make some other kid memorize it and take them.


If you want to keep up with all things Kids at KCIF, check out the Kid’s Area on the website regularly, or follow the Kid's Club Blog.

Laren

Lucky You

With Danny on vacation, you good-looking, dedicated (thank you) readers of this blog get me as your substandard blog sub. Yay. Now I know what you’re thinking… how did you get lucky enough to get me as Bloggy Bloggerson this week? I don’t know, really. I manage our website, public relations and social media efforts (Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Flickr), so perhaps the rest of our Board doesn’t know how to use computers. Or, Danny was desperate and I’m just a sucker. It’s probably the latter. Or maybe both. But that definitely won’t stop me from posting embarrassing pictures of Danny this week, such as the gem below (nice bear), or remind him of bar tab bets that I win. Regardless, I’ll try not to bore you too much. After all, I’ve suckered most of the board into writing a note or two to you as well.

Laren

Hasta Nextweeka

So listen kids, I'm taking a break. You'd be surprise how exhausting it is writing nonsensical crap every day. Plus one of my Mexican/Irish cousins is getting hitched in Colorado this weekend (Enhorabuena, Patrick y Susie!) and I'm going to stretch it out to a few extra days R&R. In my absence, my buddy and fellow Irish Fest honcho Laren Mahoney will be taking the bloggy reins. Laren handles all that fancy Interweb stuff like Irish Fest's MyFace and SpaceBook pages and whatnot, so I expect she'll have the dusty old blog humming like George Jetson's treadmill in no time. 


I'll be back here this time next week, so you'll hardly miss me. No fighting while I'm gone. Be good and I'll bring you a treat from Denver. And if Laren says anything bad about me, don't you believe it.

Adios, amigos.

Nice to Be Appreciated

Browne's Irish Market appreciates you, so they do.

Funny Business

So now that you can buy tickets to the comedy shows, you may well be wondering who will be on stage making you laugh so hard that little squirts of pee soak through your green pants with the white shamrocks all over them that you wear every year to Irish Fest. Honestly, get some new pants.

Well, I can tell you about our stars. And will right now.
Ian Coppinger

One of Ireland’s busiest comedians Ian is a regular on the world comedy circuit having played to packed houses at the Edinburgh, Melbourne, Montreal Just for Laughs, Galway, Electric Picnic, Glasgow, Dublin, Adelaide and Wellington comedy festivals. Ian is also one of a handful of acts who have been invited back year after year to perform at the Kilkenny Cat Laughs Comedy Festival since 1995 and he has performed throughout Europe, the Middle East and Far East.
A regular on all the major stages in Ireland and the UK, Ian has also appeared as a support act for Ardal O’Hanlon on his UK tour and Pat Shortt on his Irish tour, including 7 sell out weeks in Dublin’s Vicar Street. Ian has also appeared on The Panel Live tour 2008 and in 2007 had 250,000 copies of his CD distributed in the news of the world.
A noted improviser, Ian is a co-founder of The Dublin Comedy Improv (1992), where he still performs every Monday night in Dublin’s International Bar, which is Ireland’s second-longest running comedy club. The Dublin Comedy Improv have recorded two hit radio shows for RTE radio. Ian is also a regular guest with the world famous Comedy Store Players performing alongside Paul Merton, Richard Vranch, Josie Lawrence and many members of Whose Line Is It Anyway? Ian has also toured Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East and Far East as Whose Line Is It Anyway? with the original performers. The only improviser to have been invited to perform at every Cat Laughs Comedy Festival in Kilkenny since 1995, Ian has improvised alongside some of the great improvisers in the world.

Barry Murphy

Barry Murphy is often remembered for the six years he spent as a member of the cult comedy trio, Mr Trellis, with Kevin Gildea and Ardal O Hanlon. He is the co-founder of the Comedy Cellar - Ireland's longest running comedy venue, and is easily recognised as one of the "ten kings of Irish Comedy over the last 20 years" (Hot Press Magazine).
"Barry Murphy's German alter ego, Gunter, is as laugh-a-loud funny as it is satirical. He deserves to be bigger than Riverdance and The Corrs put together" - Brian Boyd, Irish Times
"Subtly mischievous.always teasing, this clever comic works the audience like a chin-wagging barman" - The Scotsman
Barry has successfully hosted events like The Irish Film Awards; two Amnesty "Best Of Irish" Showcases for Granada TV, the Irish Business Internet Awards and the Kilmeaden Bikers Festival in Waterford, as well as numerous corporate and charity functions. Just ask Renault, Levis, Thorn EMI, Pan International, ICS, Microsoft...
The last few years have seen him concentrating on writing and performing Apres Match nonsense - over 5 hours of TV sketches and numerous live performances including four-week seasons at both Vicar Street and in the Gaiety Theatre. The Apres Match Video was nominated for best Irish Video 2000.
Barry is the winner of several copywriting awards for advertising including The Gold Radio campaign winner ICAD ('97); Best Radio Campaign at the Irish Radio Awards ('97); Kinsale International Advertising Festival ('97); The Grand Prix Radio Winner, and the winner of the coveted DNAD Silver Pencil award in '98. BArry is also a Kansas City Irish Fest comedy stage alum.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, blah blah blah. But are they funny? Yes. Here's some stand up from Ian and–though he doesn't appear–Barry's voice and writing in a too-good-too-pass-up Apres Match clip. For more of both, do some searching on the YouTube. And buy those tickets, because these shows will sell out. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Ticket Sales Are Live

Starting right this minute, you can buy your Irish Fest tickets on line. You'll save big over buying at the gate. Advance purchase tickets are available for the comedy shows and Snug memberships, too.

Whip out that credit card! Let's go to the fest!

Love

Carol, one of the sisters who run the fabulous swanky Snug, our private VIP area at Irish Fest, sent me this posting from Craigslist's Denver site:

Which brings up a point we don't stress often enough. Irish Fest is a great place to meet members of the opposite sex. Or same sex, we don't judge. Every year we hear stories about blossoming love inside our gates. A glance across the crowd at Eddie Delahunt's show leads to a sweet, awkward ceili dance which leads to a shared bag of fish and chips and late night comedy show tickets. You end up at the after party at Raglan Road talking into the wee hours of the morning. Before you know it, you're trying to work a wedding into Sunday Mass on the Terrace Stage.

So if you're single, here's what you should do. First, get the hotel room booked. You never know, right? Second, volunteer, because women love a man in uniform and men love a woman in authority. Third, invite a gaggle of your single friends to join you festival weekend. And fourth, don't be like the weak kneed poster of that ad up there. Faint heart never won fair lady and all that. Buy them that beer! Compliment them on their green afro wig. Laugh at their "Irish guy walks into a bar" joke. It'll make a much better story to tell your grandkids than the Craigslist one.

What Fashionable Babies Will Be Wearing This Fall

When you come to Irish Fest this September, we'll have the usual great selection of official KCIF merchandise...shirts, hoodies, hats, caps, that kind of thing. You'll want one of each I'm sure. There's a new addition this year, a cute little onesie for your cute little one. It has the Irish for baby on the front and says "Kansas City Irish Fest" small on the back. My own new addition Kathleen O'Hara Regan models it in simulated Photoshop fashion below. Sure, we could have waited to show it to you like the rest of our designs, but then you wouldn't have got to see this cute baby, and didn't that make your day a little brighter?

You'll be able to get yours in just 52 days. Your onesie I mean. Your own baby takes a little longer.

Hotel Time

It's crazy to me that the summer is going by so fast and that I have to say this already, but I do: time is running out on those discounted Irish Fest hotel rooms, kids. One month from today, August 13th is the last day those special rates will be available, with their free fest tickets included and all. And when they're gone, where are you? You're not staying at my house, not after the mess you left in the bathroom last time. I suppose you could pitch a tent in a local park...and it's been nice knowing you. Or I guess you could get a non-discounted, non-free ticket room at a non-awesome non-Irish Fest hotel. But since you're a non-idiot, I think what you'll do is go ahead and book that room. And do it right now.

Nom Nom Nom

Wednesday, as in tomorrow night, Raglan Road Irish Restaurant and Pub, home of Irish Fest's nightly after-parties, is presenting another in its series of "signature dinners" hosted and prepared by their celebrity chef Kevin Dundon. If you only eat one meal this year, make it this one. These dinners are amazing and will prove to you once and for all that the term "Irish cuisine" is not an oxymoron. They're also a hell of a lot of fun.

Click on that graphic there on the left for all the details. I'll be there and I hope you will be too. Raglan Road is at the corner of 14th Street and Grand Boulevard in the P&L District.

Ch Ch Ch Changes

Okay kids, take out your schedules, pencils and erasers. There a couple small adjustments. See, this is why we put that "subject to change" line on there.

That TBA spot on Sunday? Write in "Miles From Dublin" there. This Nebraska-based trad band is making their first appearance at the KC Irish Fest this year and we're excited to have them. Be sure to check them out in the air conditioned comfort of the indoor Atrium Stage.

Now the eraser. On your Saturday schedule, once again on the Atrium Stage, scrub Dogtree, who won't be joining us this year after all. In their spot, plug in the aforementioned Miles From Dublin, the band so nice, you'll want to hear them twice.

Okay, got it? Dogtree out. Miles From Dublin in. You may now resume your weekend.

Counting Down

I have this feature on my computer where you can make these little things that look like a tiny page-a-day calendar and they tell you how long it is until stuff happens. So like I have one that tells me how long until Irish Fest opens (56 days). If you leave them on there after the thing you were counting down to happens, they just keep right on counting and telling you how long its been since your thing took place. So I have one that tells me for example that my baby Kate is 102 days old today. (Wanna see a picture? That's her there. Cutie pie.)

I also see that KC Irish Fest volunteer registration has been open for 69 days now.

That's a long time, 69 days. Now I know, because the volunteer coordinators are friends of mine, that a lot of you have signed up and that's "awesome", as the kids say. But I also know that in those 56 days that my little counter thingy tells me remain 'til we open, we need a whole lot more of you to join us. So let's just end the week on a high note by getting that little chore out of the way. Sign up and volunteer right now. Just takes a minute and you'll be glad you did. Here's the place to do it.*

Hey, did you know it's already been 125 days since National Frozen Food Day? Guess how I know.

*What's with all the links, you may ask? Not long ago I put up a post about volunteering and forgot to put up a link to the volunteer page. A blog reader noticed and in helpfully letting me know about my inadvertent omission called me "Irish Fest's resident Smarty Pants." I'm pretty sure they were hitting on me. Anyway, "Resident Smarty Pants" is now what my business cards say on them. Oh, and here's where to volunteer.

Schedules

At long last ladies and gentlemen, here are your 2010 Kansas City Irish Fest schedules. A couple housekeeping items before we leap in. Schedules and performers are subject to change, of course. You'll see a TBA on Sunday. We expect to have that filled possibly as early as today, so stay tuned. Heritage Stage and Children's Stage schedules are still coming, so stay tuned. And lastly, if your fav band isn't here, we're sorry. Maybe next year. But we bet you'll find a new favorite in here somewhere.

You can learn all about these great artists here. And these same schedules will be up on our website any minute now. So start planning! 57 days to go!

Friday, Sept. 3

TERRACE STAGE

• 5:30-7:00 McPeake
• 7:30-8:30 O’Riada Dancers
• 9:00-11:00 Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul

BOULEVARD STAGE

• 5:00-6:30 Rattle and Hum
• 7:00-8:30 Screaming Orphans
• 9:00-11:00 Red Hot Chilli Pipers

NEW WASHINGTON PARK STAGE

• 6:00-7:00 Qristina and Quinn Bachand
• 7:30-8:30 Evans and Doherty
• 9:00-10:00 Dawn and Margie Beaton

Saturday, Sept. 4

TERRACE STAGE

• NOON-1:00 Jim Cosgrove
• 1:30-2:30 Girsa
• 3:00-4:30 2 Duos
• 5:00-6:30 Cara
• 7:00-8:30 Téada
• 9:00-11:00 Kila

BOULEVARD STAGE

• 11:00-12:30 Eddie Delahunt and Friends
• 1:00-2:00 Driscoll Dancers with $3 Band
• 2:30-4:00 Danny Burns and The Defectors
• 4:30-6:00 Red Hot Chilli Pipers
• 6:30-8:00 Screaming Orphans
• 8:30-10:30 Pogey

NEW WASHINGTON PARK STAGE

• 1:00-2:00 Andreas Transo
• 2:30-3:30 Capt. Mackey’s Goatskin and String Band
• 4:00-5:00 Dawn and Margie Beaton
• 5:30-6:30 Guggenheim Grotto
• 7:00-8:00 Evans and Doherty
• 8:30-9:30 McPeake

ATRIUM STAGE

• NOON-12:45 Stone Lion Puppets
• 1:00-2:00 Rob Gavin
• 2:30-3:30 Dogtree
• 4:00-5:00 Bob Reeder
• 5:30-6:30 Qristina and Quinn Bachand

Sunday, Sept. 5

TERRACE STAGE

• 9:30-10:30 Mass
• 11:00-NOON Girsa
• 12:30-1:30 2 Duos
• 2:00-3:30 Cara
• 4:00-5:00 O’Riada Dancers
• 5:30-7:00 Danny Burns and The Defectors
• 7:30-9:30 Red Hot Chilli Pipers

BOULEVARD STAGE

• 11:30-12:30 Connacht Town
• 1:00-2:00 Eddie Delahunt and Friends
• 2:30-4:00 Kila
• 4:30-6:00 Teada
• 6:30-8:00 Pogey
• 8:30-10:00 The Elders
• 10:15-11:00 The Mighty Craic-Finalé

NEW WASHINGTON PARK STAGE

• 1:00-2:00 Qristina and Quinn Bachand
• 2:30-3:30 Kelly
• 4:00-5:00 Dawn and Margie Beaton
• 5:30-6:30 Capt. Mackey’s Goatskin and String Band
• 7:00-8:00 Guggenheim Grotto

ATRIUM STAGE

• NOON-12:45 Darren Raleigh
• 1:00-2:00 Bob Reeder
• 2:30-3:30 TBA
• 4:00-5:00 $3 Band
• 5:30-6:30 Andreas Transo

World Cup Runneth Over

In honor of 2009-2010 KC Irish Fest band Cara, let's all cheer on Germany in their World Cup match today vs. Spain. Cara, all the way from Germany among other places, will be here revisiting the site of thier incredible, incendiary shows last year, in just 58 short days. If you miss it, well...I'm not sure we can be friends anymore.

ADDENDUM: Rolf and Gudrun, I'm sorry. Spain 1-Germany 0. 

And Done

Our Kansas City Irish Fest mandolin masterpiece is finished and isn't it only gorgeous. This is the instrument you'll recall that was financed by a cash grant from the Kansas City Irish Fest. Luthier and musician Mark Franzke built the Celtic-themed mandolin, and in an incredible act of generosity is donating the piece back to us to auction off. All proceeds from the sale will go to establish a traditional music scholarship for a local kid.

But more on that later. Back to the grant that made this possible. If you have an idea, a dream, an Irish wish we can make come true, your time may have come. Applications for 2010 KC Irish Fest grants are being accepted now. Go to our grants page for all the details, restrictions and applications for individuals and qualified not-for-profit organizations. My fingers are crossed for my research grant to fund the Regan Institute of Advanced Pint Glass Bottom Studies.

Good luck!

John O'Neal

While I was away for the long holiday weekend, I was saddened to learn of the passing of one of the real pillars of Kansas City's Irish community, John O'Neal. John has been at the center of the Irish scene here for so long it's difficult to imagine it without him and that community is lessened immeasurably for his loss. In our own little corner of the world, John had been a stalwart volunteer for Irish Fest and he and his wife Ethel had been named Mr. and Mrs. Irish Fest just last year. We will deeply miss a giant of a man and a good friend.

All of us at the Kansas City Irish Fest offer our sincere condolences to Ethel, John II, Leigh and all the O'Neal family. Information on services is contained in the obituary below. Safe home, John.

Mr. John Thomas O'Neal was born at St. John's Hospital in Joplin, Mo., on Sept. 8, 1948, to Tom "Bud" Cecil O'Neal and Nina Irene Roland O'Neal who preceded him in death. John married Ethel Pipes O'Neal on April 18, 1970. John and Ethel resided in Overland Park, Kan. John died at home surrounded by his family and close friends on July 2, 2010, after a long battle with cancer. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. John was proud to be a member of Bud Park Christian Church's Boy Scout Troop 165 where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Northeast High School in Kansas City, Mo., in 1966 and went on to earn a degree in Economics from UMKC in 1970. He also earned his MBA at UMKC in 1976 while going to school at night and working for the Federal Reserve. John started working at DST Systems, Inc. in the Portfolio Accounting Department in 1977 and continued working there for the rest of his life. He always felt lucky that he met his friend, and future boss at DST, Tom McDonnell, at Army Officer Candidate School. John continued to be an active member in the MO National Guard where he received many honors including The Army Commendation Medal in 1983. He retired from the National Guard with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. John enjoyed being active in the Kansas City community and many Irish American organizations. He served as a board member for the KC Sports Commission and Seton Center and enjoyed being an honorary coach for the annual NAIA Men's Basketball Tournament. He was a former president of the Celtic Fringe and the Fr. Bernard Donnelly Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Kansas. He was also a volunteer for the Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee, Children for Peace and The KC Irish Festival. For many years, John sang the National Anthem and the Irish National Anthem in English and Gaelic to kick-off The St. Patrick's Day Parade. He also served on the board of The Kansas City Irish Museum and in March 2010 they honored John with the Chieftain award in recognition for his hard work and dedication to the Irish Community. In 2010, John's brother Hibernians named him Irish Man of the Year. Several years ago John also received the Freedom for All Ireland Award from the Padraig Pearse Division of AOH KCMO to recognize his skills as an organizer and consensus builder in the KC Irish Community. Irish American Magazine listed John as one of the top 50 Irish American business leaders in July 2008. He is survived by his wife, Ethel; son, John Thomas O'Neal II; daughter, Leigh Ann O'Neal Wood; daughter-in-law, Sheila Curry O'Neal; son-in-law, Garrett Wood; grandchildren, Emma O'Neal, Johnny O'Neal, and Eleanor Wood; sister, Sandy O'Neal Brown and brother-in- law, Larry Brown. Several aunts and uncles, sisters-in-law, cousins, and many nieces and nephews survive him. The visitation and rosary will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday July 6, at The Church of the Nativity, 3800 West 119th Street, Leawood, Kan. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 7, at Nativity with burial to follow at the Johnson County Memorial Gardens, 11200 Metcalf. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Children's Mercy Hospital's Cancer Center in honor of John's granddaughter, Eleanor, who is being treated for leukemia, or to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.johnsoncountychapel.com Arrangements: D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Chapel, (913) 451-1860.

More Like Fun-ction City!

Big holiday weekend about to start. If you're looking for something fun to do, it goes without saying that no place says "fun" like Junction City, Kansas.

This weekend Junction Citians hold their big "Sundown Salute", billed as "the largest free Independence Day fireworks display and celebration in the state of Kansas." You should go, Irish Fest fan because 2010 KCIF Friday night openers Rattle and Hum are performing on the 4th.

In the interest of full disclosure, I should say that my nephew Tim's band The Good Foot is performing too, opening for Otis Day and The Knights tomorrow night, which is so awesome it hurts. To bring things full circle, Tim, as a young not-yet-rock-star boy, used to box his uncles under the name "Kid Irish". So there you go.

Rattle and Hum make their KC Irish Fest debut 64 days from this very day.

Post Fest

With the Kansas City Irish Fest only 64 days away now, you might not be thinking two months past that big event. But you might want to, because you can save some money by planning ahead.

The Harp and Shamrock Club, those do-gooder fans of local balladeer Bob Reeder, have announced the line up for their "Shamrockfest 2010", scheduled for November 6th. Barleyjuice, Kelly, Langer's Ball, Wylde Nept and of course Bob Reeder are featured.

The thinking ahead part? Tickets will be $10 soon, but buy them right now and you can get them for $5. Now, I'm not good at math, but that's got to close to half price. Get those advance tickets now through the H&S C website.

Mandolinish

Our Irish Fest mandolin is getting its shiny on. Almost done and ready to be owned by you!