March 11, 2008
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Things to do for St. Patrick's Day
by Jordyn Kimelheim, a junior at Central Bucks East High School
So, St. Patrick’s Day is coming up. And even if, like me, you have no Irish blood in your veins, you can still celebrate the holiday.
Here are some ways to do so. (And I apologize in advance that all the movie selections are about gangsters. I’m not trying to propagate stereotypes; I just like crime flicks a lot.)
- Watch "The Departed":
Martin Scorsese won an Oscar for this. Partly because everybody felt bad about his losing streak, but mostly because this Irish-American mob flick is a brilliantly suspenseful, action-packed tale.
- Listen to the Dropkick Murphys:
And speaking of "The Departed," this band (along with lyricist Woody Guthrie) was responsible for the song "I’m Shipping Up To Boston" that was the centerpiece of the film’s soundtrack. The Dropkick Murphy’s raucous combo of traditional Celtic music and punk rock is definitely worth a listen.
- Read "Angela’s Ashes" by Frank McCourt:
McCourt’s memoir of his squalid childhood in New York City and Ireland isn’t exactly cheerful reading, unless alcoholism and tragedy are your idea of a rollicking good time. Still, it is beautifully, hauntingly written and an amazing book.
- Listen to "Come on Eileen" by Dexy’s Midnight Runners:
Dexy’s Midnight Runners actually started out as '60s soul revivalists ("Dexys," or Dexerdine, was a popular mod drug). But they found the most success with this infectious Irish-tinged pop song. Too-Rye-Ay, indeed.
- Watch "Gangs of New York":
This movie was way too long, but it was still a fascinating look at a neglected era: mid-1800s Manhattan.
- Listen to Stiff Little Fingers:
Classic punk band Stiff Little Fingers expressed their anger over the political situation in Northern Ireland through songs like "Alternative Ulster." (Full admission: I didn’t realize Ulster was a place until, like, three weeks ago. Sorry, Ulstonians.)
- Listen to the Pogues:
Shane MacGowan, along with Keith Richards, is on my list of "rock stars I can’t believe are still alive." But despite his hard-partying ways, MacGowan still found time to lead the amazing Pogues, who, like apparently every other musician on this list, combined traditional Irish music and punk. But, trust me, they are a trillion times better than Dexy’s Midnight Runners.
- Listen to B•Witched:
Correction to the above statement. Not every musician on this list is punk. B•Witched were essentially the Irish version of the Spice Girls. Special mention goes out to "C’est La Vie," which, despite the French title, features an awesome Riverdancey breakdown.
- Go see "In Bruges":
I have no idea if it’s any good, but Colin Farrell stars as an Irish hitman on the run in the Belgian city of Bruges. It is the first film by playwright Martin McDonagh and is likely in a theater near you.
- Eat Lucky Charms:
Because they’re magically delicious.
