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The Emerald Underground, Springfield’s only
Celtic-fusion group (the band combines rock elements with traditional Irish
tunes and instruments), is — no blarney here — the
hardest-working band in town this weekend. Catch them at Robbie’s (4
Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-528-1901) from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday, then
later that night at the Lime Street Café (951 S. Durkin Dr.,
217-793-1905). At 3 p.m. Saturday the Emerald Underground performs at
Marly’s Pub (9 W. Old State Capitol Plaza, 217-522-2280) (the Bogside
Zukes play directly after the parade, at noon), then returns for an encore
performance at Lime Street starting around 8:45 p.m. If you pull your mug out of that Black & Tan for
an Irish minute and push yourself away from the corned beef and potatoes,
you might notice a new face in the Emerald Underground lineup. Original
flute & whistle player Laura Conant, who moved to Omaha, Neb., has been
replaced by Theresa O’Hare after a local search and audition.
It’s O’Hare’s first Celtic band, but she’s a
well-trained musician and esteemed music educator — and with that
surname she should fit in just fine. Exorna, Springfield’s traditional Celtic/Irish
group, entertains before the parade with an acoustic set at the Trout Lily
Café (218 S. Sixth St., 217-391-0101), 11 a.m.-noon on Saturday
morning. This trio, a lively band in the pub tradition, really lay out the
old-time sounds and sneaks in some surprising reworks of contemporary
numbers as well. As might be expected, this band, too, has a hectic weekend
schedule, traveling to Danville after Springfield and finishing in
Champaign on Saturday night. Last but by no means least on the Springfield Celtic
radar are the members of the St. Andrew’s Society of Central Illinois
— those people wearing kilts, playing drums and bagpipes, acting like
this is a Scottish holiday instead of Irish. Ah, bless their hearts,
there’s room for all and what would St. Patrick’s Day be
without a stirring rendition of “Amazing Grace,” a song with
lyrics written by an English slave trader to a melody traced to Celtic
origins? Beyond the shadow of the shamrock lies another world
as musicians, fans, and friends come together to honor George “Fast
Eddy” Eden, on the occasion of his 50th birthday, at Spillway Lanes
(1025 Outer Park Dr., 217-546-5221), 6 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday. Eden, a
lifelong musician, has played in several local bands, including The Next
and the Last Chance Blues Band; he now performs with the Low Down Blues
Band. The event features special appearances by Bill Evans, Kevin Hawkins, and other musicians
who’ve shared the stage with Eden during his long and distinguished
career.
Contact Tom Irwin at tirwin@illinoistimes.com.
This article appears in Mar 8-14, 2007.
