The Abbey Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day, Kicks Off With A Bluegrass Ball

Join legendary live music venue and Irish pub, The Abbey (3420 W. Grace), in celebrating a true Irish fete this St. Patrick's Day kicking off on Thursday, March 10 and Friday, March 12 with a Bluegrass Ball. The festival continues on with live performances from Chicago's favorite Beatles' tribute band, American English, along with the premier Irish dance group, O'Hare Irish Dancers.

Renowned for its annual St. Patrick's Day celebration, The Abbey will open its doors for an early start on Saturday, March 12 at 9 a.m., offering bus transportation downtown to Chicago's St. Patrick's Day Parade. Green-clad patrons may continue the party back at The Abbey for a day of Irish traditional festivities, including live performances from bands hailing directly from Ireland. The Irish-themed lineup includes. This year we have partnered with Groupon.com to bring you a St. Patrick's Day DEAL you will never forget! Stay tuned to groupon.com, and abbeypub.com for breaking details.

O'Hare Irish Dancers | Performing live at 12 p.m.Larry Nugent and Tom Dahill | Performing live at 1 p.m.Kevin Flynn & The Avondale Ramblers Performing live at 6 p.m.American English (Beatles tribute) | Performing live at 8 p.m.O'Hare Irish Dancers | Performing live at 9 p.m.Shannon Rovers Bag Pipers | Performing live at 9:30 p.m.The Sandcarvers | Performing live at 11:00 p.m.
Concluding the week with the an authentic all-day bash, The Abbey & presents its 38th Annual St. Patrick's Day, with live coverage of Ireland's Gaelic at 8am and the following lineup:

O'Hare Irish Dancers | Performing live at 1 p.m.Larry Nugent and Tom Dahill | Performing live at 1 p.m.Danny Burns | Performing live at 5 p.m.Mulligan Stew | Performing live at 8 p.m.O'Hare Irish Dancers | Performing live at 9 p.m.Shannon Rovers Bag Pipers | Performing live at 9:30 p.m.Candy Apple & The Buddies | Performing live at 10:30 p.m.

Throughout the festivities, patrons can take advantage of The Abbey's Irish pub, located directly next to the music venue, with a full bar and kitchen. Spend a day amid The Abbey's lively atmosphere, nosh on traditional Irish fare and share a few pints with friends.

As an institution rooted in music and Irish tradition, The Abbey is honored to continue hosting Chicago's favorite holiday, St. Patrick's Day. Be sure to check out one of The Abbey's exciting shows and experience all things Irish in one of Chicago's favorite pubs.

The Abbey can also offer packages to accommodate larger parties. For reservations, please call 773-478-4408.

ABOUT THE ABBEY PUB With its inception at Narragansett and Addison in 1973, The Abbey Pub remains a longstanding fixture in Chicago's music landscape. In 1984, The Abbey moved to its present location at 3420 W Grace, where it resides as the North side's premier live music venue. For 38 years, The Abbey Pub has been the heart and soul of the Irish and Irish-American populace of Chicago, including Chicago's home for European sports and news coverage. A live music venue combined with an authentic Irish pub, replete with food and libations, The Abbey Pub remains a unique atmosphere unlike any other in Chicago. For more information, please call 773-478-4408 or visit www.abbeypub.com

ABOUT THE TRAVELING McCOURY'S (3/10 & 3/11) The Travelin' McCourys do not stand still. They are on the road-and online-entertaining audiences with live shows that include some of the best musicians and singers from all genres. It's always different, always exciting, and always great music. No other band today has the same credentials for playing traditional and progressive music. As the sons of bluegrass legend Del McCoury, Ronnie McCoury on mandolin and Rob McCoury on banjo continue their father's work-a lifelong dedication to the power of bluegrass music to bring joy into people's lives. And with fiddler Jason Carter and bassist Alan Bartram, the ensemble is loved and respected by the bluegrass faithful. But the band is now combining their sound with others to make something fresh and rejuvenating. - Chris Stuart, Del Mar, California, 2009

ABOUT HEAD FOR THE HILLS (3/10 &3/11) Rooted in the tradition of bluegrass, the music of Head for the Hills is a vibrant mixture of homegrown compositions, traditional harmonies, and an innovative approach to improvisation that reflects the band's experiences living the mountain life. The group's lyrical nature and songwriting seems to evoke a feeling of inspiration in listeners, often embracing nature, personal epiphanies, or even their experiences growing up around Colorado ski towns. In the live setting, Head for the Hills can venture into a myriad of musical styles while staying in a context that is still widely respected by the traditional bluegrass community.

The shared vision amongst the members of Head for the Hills is not only to carry on the spirit of bluegrass, but also to expand the general definition as we venture through the post-traditional bluegrass era. Head for the Hills seems to appeal to those who enjoy the sound of the bluegrass forefathers like John Hartford, David Grisman, or Bill Monroe, but also appeals to anybody who enjoys experiencing the excitement, innovation, or element of youth that is incorporated into each and every performance.

ABOUT Jeff Austin (3/10 & 3/11)Jeff Austin (born in Arlington Heights, Illinois) is a mandolinist and singer best known for being a part of the Yonder Mountain String Band. Although Austin was born in Arlington Heights, he grew up in Elk Grove, Illinois and attended Rolling Meadows High School. Austin attended the University of Cincinnati, but soon made his way to Urbana, Illinois, where he met future banjoist Dave Johnston. Receiving a request from Johnston to perform in his band The Bluegrassholes, Austin picked up the mandolin for the first time. After some time, Austin moved to Nederland, Colorado; Johnston, after seeking improvement in his playing ability, also moved to Nederland. While attending a club called the Verve, Austin met Adam Aijala and Ben Kaufmann, with whom he and Johnston would form the Yonder Mountain String Band.

ABOUT DREW EMMIT (3/10 & 3/11) Revered as one of the most energetic and innovative mandolin players on the jamband/newgrass scene today, Emmitt's "inestimable talents" (An Honest Tune) don't end with just the instruments that can be picked. Holding the wheel steady on acoustic and electric slide mandolin, acoustic and electric guitar and mandola, Long Road also showcases Emmitt's superlative storytelling and versatile vocal abilities. With seven originals, including co-writes with John Cowan ("Long Road") and Jim Lauderdale ("I'm Alive"), Emmitt saavily chose a few best-of-life-on-the-road songs, such as Supertramps' "Take the Long Way Home", Marshall-Tucker Band's "Take the Highway", and Van Morrison's "Gypsy in my Soul". Co-produced by Emitt and Compass Records co-founder Garry West, "my heaven band", is how Emmitt describes the special guest musicians on Long Road: Billy Nershi of The String Cheese Incident (dobro), Chris Pandolfi of The Infamous Stringdusters (banjo), Andy Hall of The Infamous Stringdusters (dobro), Stuart Duncan (fiddle), Tim O'Brien (harmony vocals), Alison Brown (banjo), Darrell Scott (vocals), Eric Thorin (bass), Jeff Sipe of The Aquarium Rescue Unit (drums), John Cowan (vocals), Reese Wynans (Hammond B3), Steven Sandifer (percussion) and Tyler Grant (guitar). Hallelujah.

ABOUT THE SANDCARVERS (3/12) The Sandcarvers have been hailed as one of the best Celtic rock bands in the country. Combining strong solo voices and vocal harmonies with equally strong instrumental skill, the raucous six-piece is currently playing dates across the country in support of their latest full-length release, "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot." The Sandcarvers write original songs that brilliantly tell stories from real life. They also put a wicked spin on traditional tunes from o'er the Pond, turning them upside-down.

ABOUT LARRY NUGENT (3/12 & 3/17) Larry Nugent was born in Co. Fermanagh listening to traditional music. His father, Sean, was a champion fiddle player and had his own ceili band for years. At age 8, Larry started playing the tin whistle and he picked up the flute at 13. One of his early influences was Cathal McConnell (of the Boys of the Lough) who played with his father's ceili band during the 60's. In 1988 Laurence emigrated to the US and now lives in Chicago with his family. But he went back in 1994 and again in 1995 to win first place twice in the senior Comhaltas competitions. His new album has been a the top of the traditional music charts in Ireland and America and is a showcase of his virtuosity on both whistle and flute. He has two CD's out - one of my favorites is "Two for Two", named after his twins

ABOUT TOM DAHILL (3/12) Tom is a superb entertainer with a great collection of old favorites you might not hear from anyone else. He has command many instruments and is always working on more. Tom's collection of tunes is impressive, growing from a lifetime of playing at sessions as well as performing on stage. He puts on a great show for all ages and always gets his audience involved.

ABOUT KEVIN FLYNN & THE AVONDALE RAMBLERS (3/12) "We're a Chicago-Irish band." That's how front man Kevin Flynn best describes the Celtic inspired sound of Kevin Flynn and The Avondale Ramblers. Based out of the Avondale neighborhood on Chicago's north side, KF & The Ramblers bring a rollicking take on Gaelic music that reflects the working-class, religious, drunken, sometimes violent (yet always somewhat beautiful) aspects of their city. Though the band's sound is steeped in the influence of traditional Irish music, their songs are anything but traditional...

Along with lead singer/guitarist Kevin Flynn, the Avondale Ramblers are comprised of a stellar cast of veteran players from the Chicago music scene including members of MILLION YEN, NASH KATO BAND and MARY TYLER MORPHINE.

ABOUT AMERICAN ENGLISH (3/12) American English in concert perform songs covering the entire career of The Beatles from 1963-1970. With precise attention to every musical detail, along with costume changes, vintage instruments, and special effects, American English magically create "The Complete Beatles Tribute!"

ABOUT DANNY BURNS (3/17) New Orleans based Irish Singer-Songwriter Danny Burns is currently putting the finishing touches to his new record "Off The Grid" produced by Warren Huart (The Fray, Better then Ezra, Augustana, Matisyahu) and recorded at Swinghouse studios in West Hollywood, Los Angeles CA.

ABOUT MULLIGAN STEW (3/17) Mulligan Stew has been a fixture in the Irish/Celtic Music scene since 1979 and has played at many local venues. Our song selections come from Traditional Irish Music, Irish Drinking Songs, Folk, Rock, Bluegrass & Country Music. Mark and Bob, two of the original three members have been playing music together since meeting in College in 1974.

ABOUT CANDY APPLE & THE BUDDIES (3/17) Candy Apple & The Buddies new EP, Leprechaun To The Right, culls members from Chicago's Welcome To Ashley and Nashville's Pale Blue Dot for a searing combination of retro and Celtic rock. In other words, there's a bit of early Replacements ("Kristin"), touches of the Faces ("Something Else"), and the drunken hootenanny of the Pogues ("99 Bottles Of Beer/Colours"), all of which are capable of packing a pub and inciting a rowdy sing-along. - Illinois Entertainer, Sept 2009

ABOUT SHANNON ROVERS BAG PIPERS (3/12 & 3/17) We are the Shannon Rovers Irish Bagpipe Band. For over 75 years, the Rovers have been a cultural fixture in the Chicagoland area. From parades to politics, weddings to funerals, generation to generation, the Shannon Rovers have been there through it all, bringing the passion of Irish music with them.