Once youยve been to a few St. Patrickยs Day celebrations, you may come to the conclusion that the Irish like to party (the green beer and those ยKiss Me, Youยre Irishย shirts always help get things going). The green fun continues at this yearยs 38th Annual Houston International Festival, which spotlights the people and culture of the Emerald Isle. Thereยll be music, art, food and exhibits spread out over several city blocks during two weekends. Expect plenty of Irish action; along with lots of traditional music, thereยs a living museum and a reproduction of the Blarney Stone. This year thereยll also be some homegrown Houston talent mixed in with the Irish artists. An all-star team of local Celtic dancers taken from Houstonยs Cass, McTeggart and OยMaoileidigh troupes will perform throughout the festival.
Those with green fatigue can head over to one of the other cultural zones, which invite visitors to global destinations including Ethiopia and Jamaica, and, closer to home, Texas and Louisiana. Thereยs a gypsy market and a fine arts market, a beer garden, various entertainment stages and a nonstop concert schedule. (For information on the festivalยs musical performances, visit www.houstonpress.com.) Noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 9 p.m. Sundays. Through April 26. Houston City Hall and surrounding streets, Walker at Bagby. For information, call 713-654-8808 or visit www.ifest.org. $10 to $15.
Sun., April 19, 2009
This article appears in Apr 16-22, 2009.