Pubs serve up drinks and patrons wear green to celebrate the life of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Legend says around the year 350, he banished snakes from the island while teaching Christianity to pagans.
In addition to the festivities, local pubs will host an assortment of musicians who bring the culture of the Emerald Isles right to your bar stool. Here's a look at tonight's lineup.
Diego's Umbrella, Oklahoma Scottish Pipes and Drums, Wayne Cantrell, Boru's Ghost and more
VZD's Restaurant & Club
4200 N. Western
www.vzds.com
601-5244
VZD's starts off the evening with the tunes of Oklahoma Scottish Pipes and Drums. Formed in 1998 with the mission of preserving Celtic culture, the group performs a variety of traditional Scottish, Irish and Welsh music. The bagpipes will be a companion for the Guinness beer, the restaurant's drink of choice for the night.
At 11:30 a.m., Wayne Cantrell, also known as "The Flyin' Fiddler," will rosin up his bow to perform Celtic folk songs. His wandering-stringed performance began in 1984 when he attended a meeting of the Oklahoma City Traditional Music Association, introducing him to cultural Irish music. Since then, his 19th-century clothing and violin have entertained groups at numerous occasions.
Modern Celtic folk band Boru's Ghost will perform at 3 p.m. The act combines Irish whistles with stringed instruments like dulcimers, fiddles and guitars to produce a unique blend of traditional folk songs and acoustic rock. Its latest album, "Rites of Passage," features culturally themed songs like "Rocky Road to Dublin," which are likely to generate some toe-tapping.
Diego's Umbrella will close out the VZD's festivities with a 9 p.m. performance. Hailed as the "ambassadors of gypsy rock," the San Francisco quintet combines elaborate wardrobes with world instruments for a stage show that's as rowdy as a flamenco Flogging Molly.
On the Doss, The Righs and more
Sean Cummings' Irish Restaurant & Pub
7523 N. May
www.seancummingsirishpub.net
755-2622
Two stages will be set up at the pub for outdoor and indoor enjoyment. The shows begin at 11 a.m., with the headlining acts performing around 6 and 7 p.m.
On the Doss is a six-man band from Perkins, whose unique mix of stringed instruments and bagpipes bring sea shanties and rowdy pub songs to life. The act's name is slang for "getting away from work," which is what listeners will do as they relax with tune and a brew. The group is scheduled to perform at 7 p.m.
The Righs are an Irish punk band from Edmond. Claiming to be one-of-a-kind in the Oklahoma City area, the act draws comparisons to Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys, but boasts its own unique talent. Its Celtic folk sound blends beats with rock to delight your inner Hobbit. The band has released two studio albums in the past two years.
Bagpipers and The Hosty Duo
McNellie's Public House
1100 Classen Drive
www.mcnelliesokc.com
601-7468
Bagpipers will roam McNellie's today, with Norman favorite The Hosty Duo taking the stage at 8 p.m. Mike Hosty and Michael Byars will entertain the crowd with cultural ballads not from Irish, but rather Okie creations. Their blend of rockabilly, country, blues and imaginative lyrics can offer an alternative, yet fun, way to spend the holiday.
Celtic Caravan
Sonder Music, Dance & Art
225 E. Gray, Norman
www.sondermusic.com
474-9734
Norman's world music duo Arabesque teams with The Merry Sisters to become folk group Celtic Caravan. The ensemble will perform Irish folk songs with guitars and woodwinds. Both have had experience in the genre and are revitalizing the spirit for St. Patrick's Day. Admission is $5, along with your own beer. Music starts at 8 p.m.
Groove Merchants and Superfreak
O'Connell's Irish Pub& Grille
102 E. Lindsey & 769 Asp, Norman
www.oconnellsnorman.com
364-8454
Metro jazz octet Groove Merchants will accompany the green beer at O'Connell's tonight. Formed in 2001, the group covers hits from the '70s and '80s to the Top 40 hits of today. The band's jazzy, groovy tones revitalize the music you've heard before, turning it into something new.
After the jazz, Superfreak will bring disco back from the dead. The act's set list includes funky favorites like "Disco Inferno," "Stayin' Alive" and "Brick House." Donning fake 'fros, the band plays an assortment of instruments to thrust you back to days of "Saturday Night Fever." "Luke Atkinson
