By Miriam Meza –
The Aurora Public Library (APL) will join the First Fridays festivities Friday, March 1 in downtown Aurora with a pre-Saint Patrick’s Day celebration! What should you expect? Irish music, dance, and crafts for children! The party will start at 6 p.m. at Santori Library with 3-D shamrocks, DIY hats, and mini, kissable Blarney Stones. Phil Passen will provide the music with traditional tunes followed with performances by the McNulty Irish Dancers.
Submitted photo
Phil Passen will make everyone awed by the beautiful music on his hammered dulcimer, a stringed instrument in the percussion family often used to play global folk music. His musical expertise includes playing in the World Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Lord of the Rings Symphony at the Chicago Auditorium Theater. He continues to be the best of the best among libraries of northern Illinois. Make sure to check out several of his released recordings, including his most recent, Some Come to Tarry. Passen’s CDs are available for checkout at any of our three Library sites.
Following Passen’s performance, the McNulty Irish Dancers will take the stage with traditional Irish dance: From subtle, soft-shoe beginnings, to the heart-pounding rhythms of a whole team dancing in unison. Students from the McNulty School of Irish Dance have performed throughout the world in sanctioned Irish dance competitions and continue to entertain their viewers. A short instructional session will follow their performance.
Krista Danis, events and program coordinator at APL said, “The library is excited to feature these performers whose passion and commitment to the traditions of Ireland promise to transport us to another time and place, which is the fun part of the work we do as an organization dedicated to feeding the collective imagination. Alongside fun and simple crafts for the kids, this is the perfect family event for First Fridays!”
This family-friendly event will have everyone looking forward to ringing in St. Patrick’s Day season with familiar Irish songs along with vibrant traditional dance. Learn about the culture of Ireland through their traditional art forms! Although many of the First Friday venues feature visual art. APL offers a complementary alternative with performance and DIY crafts.
For a complete list of venues participating in First Fridays visit auroradowntown.org.
Miriam Meza is communications manager for Aurora Public Library.