Top o’ the mornin’ to ya, Bay Ridge!
It is June, which means we’re halfway to halfway to St. Patrick’s Day, and the Ridge’s Irish-est parade committee is already doing its part to bring the Emerald Isle to the neighborhood. And of course, on top of the Gaelic gamboling, the neighborhood has more live music this weekend than you can shake a shillelagh at.
It is a meat-ing of cultures on Friday when the Bay Ridge Jewish Center (405 81st St. between Fourth and Fifth avenues) holds a Shabbat service followed by a hoe-down and chicken-and-ribs dinner — talk about manna from heaven! This will be a veritable buffet of culture — it starts with a Jewish service and ends with Americana music (itself a mixture of traditional Irish and African musical elements forged in the cauldrons of Appalachia). The whole shebang costs $15 to $20, and there are family specials available.
Then close out this week of dreary Irish weather with a little sonic sunshine from Johnny Guitar and the Beach Bums at Schnitzel Haus (7319 Fifth Ave. between 73rd and 74th streets). Surf’s up at 9 pm.
On Saturday, classic rockers Prodigal Child return to the Greenhouse Cafe (7717 Third Ave. between 77th and 78th streets) for a rollicking set of tunes from the 1960s and ’70s starting at 9:30 pm.
Enjoy some airs in the fresh air on Sunday at 7 pm, when ivory-tickling songster Tony Travis performs in the Shore Road Park gazebo (Shore Road and 90th Street) as part of the Shore Road Parks Conservancy’s summer concert series.
On Thursday, embrace your Irish side at Leif Bar (6725 Fifth Ave. between 67th and Senator Streets) where you can take some traditional Irish dance lessons from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee. Learn how to step the Siege of Ennis, the Highland Fling, and perennial favorite Shoe the Donkey. Organizers say to bring comfortable shoes and an Irish sense of humor — we’re pretty sure that means your liver. The two-hour lesson starts at 7 pm and will set you back a scant $5. Room is tight, so RSVP to bands
As of publication, there are 285 days until St. Patrick’s Day.
