Yes, it’s coming. I can feel it already. The day we commemorate a Saint in Ireland who drove all the snakes off the island and sent them to… I don’t know… India? Australia? Florida? South Table Mountain? Wherever they all went, there were a whole lot of leprechauns that were probably happy to see the things go. Looking at the situation from their perspective, you realize that there’s a huge difference between being bitten by a snake and being swallowed whole by one.
Saint Patrick’s Day has always been a big deal with my family. My mother’s side of the family immigrated to the U.S. from County Cork in Ireland back in the late 1800s. Her maiden name was Sullivan and her older sister married a guy whose name was also Sullivan (No, they weren’t cousins, just a coincidence) so that side of my family is about as shamrock green as you can get.
So, when March 17 rolls around, I start digging out all my Irish stuff. Clothing, hats, pins with the family crest, Celtic scroll necklaces and I make sure that the liquor cabinet gets a fresh bottle of Irish whiskey and plenty of that famous dark stout from Dublin. Corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and a few carrots for color thrown in are usually on the stove too.
Now I might get a little carried away with things, because for me the whole things has expanded from one day to spreading it over a couple of extras so I can celebrate and cook at home one day and head out for some of the festivities happening around town on another. Luckily, there is one place on the west side of town that shares that philosophy and spreads the activities over several days as well. It’s Colorado’s oldest, longest running Irish pub, and it’s located in Wheat Ridge, the city right next door to Golden. I’m talking about Clancy’s Irish Pub that sits at 7000 W. 38thAve.
Now, there are a few events happening right here in Golden that day (I’ll cover those next week), but truthfully, nothing compares to what goes on at Clancy’s. This has evolved into a big event that dwarfs everything in the Metro area except for the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Denver.
So, here’s what going on. First off, the place is an Irish Pub with Irish food, so that’s covered right off the bat. Then there’s the bar. OK, make that the four bars built into the place and add in any they set up outside on the patios. Yeah, ther is lots of liquor flowing with plenty of bartenders to serve you. Plus, there’s the entertainment. Two stages and a tent, patios and the parking lot. All that space is needed because Clancy’s features live music by small, all the way up to huge bands as well as Irish step dancers. By huge, I’m talking about full blown bagpipe bands. There will be a $3 cover on these days, but check out what’s in the line-up.
The whole thing starts at noon on March 11 with the “after party” for Denver’s afore mentioned parade. That’s when the following acts will perform: Gobbs O PHun, Rosin The Bow, Celtic Steps, Banthom House, Michael Collins Pipes and Drums, Connolly School of Irish Dance, Bleen N Green, Colorado Youth Pipe Band, Jack Hadley and Wicked Sheahoques.
Then it picks up again on March 17 with live music on two stages. Performing on the main stage will be Bleed N Green, The Constant Tourist, No Bueno, The Delta Sonics, Invincible (Tool Tribute), and Diaballica (Metallica Tribute). Performing inside, Wild Mountain Kesh, Jack Hadley, Folka Polka, Michael Collins Pipes and Drums, Rosin The Bow, Quickdraw Homegrown Music and The Commoners.
And on the bonus round, on March 18 on the outdoor stage will be Rosin The Bow, Jim Jamm Jimmy, The Delta Sonics, Sabotage, Guerrilla Radio, Ubi, Dj Abilities. Performing inside will be The Rainmakers, Gobbs O Phun, Folka Polka, Bleed N Green, The Constant Tourist, Michael Collins Pipes and Drums, and The Commoners.
For the entire schedule, visit iloveclancys.com. Then grab something green to wear. Sláinte!
John Akal is a well-known jazz artist/drummer and leader of the 20-piece Ultraphonic Jazz Orchestra. He also is president of John Akal Imaging, professional commercial photography and multimedia production. He can be reached at jaimaging@aol.com.
