THE LINE-UP for the Birmingham St Patrick’s Festival and Parade Fringe dates has been announced.
The St Patrick’s Festival is a week long celebration of Irish culture and heritage from March 7-17.
It gives Birmingham’s communities the opportunity to experience Irish music, song, dance and drama and there will be a host of eclectic entertainment to suit every taste based around this year’s theme: ‘Irish Myths and Legends’.
THE FRINGE LISTINGS:
Friday 7 March - Festival Launch Party
Civic reception for St Patrick's Birmingham Festival - Two course buffet, live traditional music from Reel Note followed by a performance from The Holy Show Band 8pm.
Venue: The Old Library, Digbeth
Cost: £10
Saturday 8 March - The Reel
The Reel - a day of music, dance and poetry - takes place on Edgbaston Street (by Market area) at 1pm - 3pm.
Monday 10 March - Big Irish Night
Irish literary evening hosted by Irish in Birmingham at 7.30pm.
Venue: The Old Crown, Digbeth
Cost: Free Event
Monday 10 March: Traditional Irish Music Night
Venue: The Spotted Dog, Digbeth, 8pm
Cost: Free Event
Tuesday 11 March: Storytelling with Claire Murphy
Venue: Custard Factory Auditorium, Digbeth, 7.30pm
Cost: Free Event
Wednesdsay 12 March – Music, Dance and Drama Night
A collective of Birmingham Schools - Music, Dance and Drama night, 6pm - 9pm
Venue: Custard Factory Auditorium, Digbeth
Cost: Free Event
Wednesday 12 March – Whisky Tasting Night
Whisky Tasting Night including a selection of Irish Whiskys, a talk and Irish Stew, 7pm
Venue: The Old Crown, Digbeth
Cost: £15
Thursday 13 March – Storytelling
An evening of Storytelling: Irish Myths and Legends, 8pm
Venue: The Spotted Dog, Digbeth
Cost: Free Event
Thursday 13 March – Big Irish Night
Hosted by Irish in Birmingham, 7:30pm
Venue: The Old Crown
Cost: Free event
Friday 14 March – Charity Race Night
Charity Race Night in aid of Birmingham’s St Patrick’s Parade, 8pm
Venue: Hennessey's bar, Digbeth
Cost: Free Event
Friday 14 March – The Hurling Boys
The Hurling Boys, four piece acoustic band, 8pm
Venue: St Mary's, Harbourne
Cost: £6
Saturday 15 March - Shaping the Archive of Irish in Birmingham
A discussion panel to consider how Irish in Birmingham is currently represented in archive, how this could be strengthened and the contribution of the Irish community can make to the process, 2-4pm.
Venue: Library of Birmingham
Cost: Free event
Saturday 15 March – Traditional and contemporary music
Lampa, a young Birmingham band playing live traditional and contemporary music, 8pm.
Venue: Hennessey's Bar, Digbeth
Cost: Free Event
Sunday 16 March - The big day!
Mass celebrating St Patrick at St Anne’s Church, Digbeth, 10am.
This year's Parade is themed "Irish Myths and Legends".
An Ollipheist (Irish Dragon) will lead the parade and following this are: Pipe and drum bands, Traditional Irish Bands from England and Ireland, decorate floats, vintage motorbikes, classic cars, school groups, steam engines and much, much more!
A children's entertainment area is located behind The Irish Centre in Birmingham with magicians, face painting and a craft area.
An "Irish Village" sits on Gret Street.
Like dizzy heights funfair is located on Bradford Street.
Venue: Camphill to Digbeth 12 noon - 2pm
Cost: Free Event
