The Big Night

Did you watch the Oscars last night? All those beautiful, elegant people in their fanciest gear gliding down the red carpet past the mere mortals who gaze on in awe and envy...what a pageant, huh? Never see anything like that here in Cowtown.

Except of course this coming weekend. On Saturday night, March 5th the Irish Center of Kansas City presents its annual Gala and all of our town's Celtic kahunas dressed in their finest will gather for the occasion amid the flash and shouts of the paparrazzi. Is that Brad Pitt? No, it's Irish Fest president Barney Walsh! Ooh, look, it's George Clooney! No, that's just Irish Fest director Davey Colgan. Is that Natalie Portman over there? An honest mistake, but it's KCIF director Erin Kiekbusch! Sandra Bullock? Close, it's Irish Fest VP Laren Mahoney! And hey, isn't that the orangutan that was in that movie with Clint Eastwood a few years back? No, it's Uncle Bloggy! Yes, a veritable who's who of Kansas City's Irish on parade. Best of all, unlike the Oscars, you can be there too.

Tickets, though not many, are still available as of this past weekend according to former Irish Fest president and current Irish Center board member Ed Follis. This will the 10th annual gala. I think I've been to 8 or 9 of them so I can tell you: you really ought to go. No, it's not the cheapest date in town but it is the most fun. And it funds a very worthy and vital piece of the Celtic culture of Kansas City. Entertainment this year is by the hysterical Irish stand up comedian Barry Murphy, as well the legendary Eddie Delahunt, and traditional Irish dancers. There's a fantastic meal, copious drink (surprised?), hob-nobbing, networking, schmoozing and–so exciting for us Irish Festers–the presentation of the John J Sullivan Humanitarian Award to our own Bob Sullivan, 1st president of the Kansas City Irish Fest.

Proceeds from the Irish Gala fund programming and operational expenses at The Irish Center. Table sponsorship is $1,500 and individual tickets are $150. Additional sponsorships begin at $2,500. For further information contact The Irish Center at 816-474-3848 or nancy@irishcenterkc.org.

Hope to see you there!