Irish Eyes

Irish Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore Rips NYC's St. Patrick's Day Parade

"What these parades are about is a celebration of Ireland and Irishness. I think they need to celebrate Ireland as it is, not as people imagine it. Equality is very much the center of who we are in our identity in Ireland. This issue of exclusion is not Irish, let's be clear about it. Exclusion is not an Irish thing, I think that's the message that needs to be driven home." - Irish Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore, speaking in NYC to Irish-American LGBT activists.

NYC's parade, the world's largest, is run by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, who in 1995 won a Supreme Court battle to exclude gay groups from participating.

NEW YORK: Activists Call On NYPD To Boycott St. Patrick's Day Parade

The world's largest St. Patrick's Day Parade takes place in Manhattan tomorrow and as always, gay groups are barred from participation. This year a coalition of LGBT groups are calling on the city's cops to boycott the parade. Via press release from Irish Queers:

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender activists today announced plans to protest NYPD participation in the New York City St. Patrick's Parade, which takes place this Thursday. The parade is touted by organizers as an explicitly “anti-gay, Catholic” event, and has been defined in court as a “private, religious procession” in order to preserve the right to exclude LGBT marchers. Protesters, organized by the group Irish Queers, contend that NYPD participation in such a parade is a violation of New York City's human rights code. "Year after year, we watch thousands of uniformed NYPD participate in this anti-gay march. It reinforces everything LGBT people already fear about police: we're not safe with them, they haven't rejected discrimination, and they won't object when someone else discriminates,” said J.F. Mulligan, who plans to protest with Irish Queers.

A letter demanding that the NYPD not participate has been sent to Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, who has thus far ignored the message. Irish Queers and their allies will be protesting the parade from their annual position across from St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue.

Culann's Hounds...stirred up St. Patrick's Day celebrations! Gig at Music Hall March 17th!



The St. Patrick's Day celebrations on Saturday at the Civil Plaza in downtown San Francisco was quite a blast!

There was quite a spirited turn-out (and a sea of green) as far as the Irish eyes could see!

I downed a couple of green ales - and a Mike's Hard Lemonade - and dived into the festivities with gay abandon.

Uh-huh!

A gang of kids hopped on the colorful rides - and squealed wildly as they dashed off to have their faces-painted - as their parents chowed-down on scrumptious Irish dishes.

In the midst, there was also a posse of half-drunk Irish studs dancing the jig, as bodacious babes partied-hearty and beckoned from beyond.

The highlight of the day (on the main stage) was a live! rambunctious set by Culann's Hounds - who revved up the crowd - 'til the final curtain came down on the wild raucous blow-out!

These howling dogs have a hard-rocking sound that - not only triggers a lot of foot-tapping - but gets the frenzied throngs up and dancing!
I'm predicting they'll be No. 1 with a bullet in the near future since they're ripe (and bound) to be scooped up by talent scouts soon.

For those of 'ya who missed 'em, they'll be playing at the Great American Music Hall on Thursday March 17th (St. Patrick's Day) on a bill with with The Brothers, Comatose, The Fucking Buckaroos (pardon my English, eh?), and whoever shows up to jam (I expect!).

Catch 'em if 'ya can!

http://www.thetattler.biz



Music scene in Frisco causing a buzz!

St. Patrick's Day Parade...San Francisco celebrates! Saturday March 12th!

 



On Saturday, March 12th, the annual St. Patrick's Day celebrations kick off in downtown San Francisco.

Mike Moriarty takes on the duties of Grand Marshall for the much-anticipated parade which starts at 2nd Street at 11:30 a.m. and heads up Market Street to the Civic Plaza.

The theme this year is "Giving Back."

Revellers will join in and participate in "all things" Irish.

For starters, there will be a fine array of Irish dishes and children's rides to keep the blues at bay.

My father was a fiddler who once played with legendary Don Messer in Toronto (Canada).

For years, my dad played up a storm - with a twinkle in his eye - with the Jolly Millers (his band) who played in Hogs Hollow (a few decades ago!).

So, I am of Irish decent.

Consequently, I'll be trotting down to the festivities to get heartily involved.

At a minimum, I'll be chug-a-lugging a mug of green ale or two!

See 'ya there!

http://www.thetattler.biz



Old posters collector's items!