Reminder: March is the month where everyone’s Irish, and Ceili of the Valley Society has everything you need to celebrate all month (all year, actually) long.
The local culture group offers weekly Celtic set and social dance classes, 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at at the VFW Hall, 630 Hood St NE. No experience or partner is needed as all dances are walked and called. Classes are for all capabilities and kids are welcome with a responsible adult if they can listen and follow instructions. The recommended age is 7 years and older. Wear comfortable closed-toed shoes. It's just $5 per class and your first one is free.
Then, kick up your heels at the Ceili of the Valley Society’s Second Friday Céilí. With live music by Cucunandy and dances called by Elisa Chandler, no experience and no partner are needed. Arrive by 7:15 p.m. for the lesson, followed by live music from 8 to 11 p.m. March 14 at VFW Hall, 630 Hood St NE. (If you can't make it this month, the ceili recurs on the second Friday of every month with an ever-changing array of live music, too.)
Don’t forget the St. Patrick’s Walk-About, a walking parade led by Willamette Valley Pipes & Drums. Dress up in your most fun “green wear” and meet the group at 11:30 a.m. Mar 15, starting at Salem’s Riverfront Carousel, 101 Front St NE, then parade (rain or shine) through the park and downtown Salem. Everyone is welcome, including wee folks and well-behaved pets.
Watch the CVS website for more — ceiliofthevalley.org
And here are some additional events and activities to celebrate all things Celtic...
The Gothard Sisters — Experience an evening of enchanting music with The Gothard Sisters, a trio of multi-instrumentalists, composers, and performers blending Celtic, folk, world, and classical influences. Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Greta, Willow, and Solana bring their music to life with violin, guitar, mandolin, bodhran, djembe, whistle, and soaring vocal harmonies. With over 2,000 live performances and 10 albums, their vivid and inspirational sound has captivated audiences worldwide. Don't miss this mesmerizing celebration of storytelling, tradition, and artistry. 7:30 p.m. March 13 at Salem's Historic Grand Theatre. Click here for tickets.
Take in a Lucky Coin Hunt, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 16 at Salem’s Riverfront Carousel. Find one of 25 gold coins and receive a BOGO ride card (redeem for one free ride when you purchase 1 ride). Find one of 5 lucky green coins and win a free ride. (Please limit 1 coin found per visitor.) You can also purchase 10-ride passes on sale for only $15.
Celebrate St. Patrick's with British Isles Bistro Dinner, a four-course prix-fixe dinner inspired by the British Isles, complete with complimentary bubbly and live music, 6 to 8 p.m. March 15 at West Hills Vineyards, 4785 Salem Dallas Hwy NW. Click here for tickets.
Other places you can get an Irish feast include —
You’ll need reservations for Sisters Irish Bistro, but the good news is they are taking them all weekend long. Call 503-584-1099.
Tast-n-Cee will be serving up a St. Patrick’s feast out of the Dehn Bar in downtown Salem. Bangers, corned beef, Guinness stew…check out the menu (and available times) here, then plan accordingly.
And on St. Patrick’s proper (that’s Monday, March 17)...
Santiam Brewing will be serving up their famous Corned Beef, Cabbage & Potatoes, which pairs best with Coal Porter (and it’s only $3.17 a pint all day long).
Plus you can get corned beef, cocktails, and a special Irish cheesecake, 4 to 10 p.m. at Archive Coffee & Bar.
PS: Low Bar Chorale presents A Saint Patrick's Day Sing Along featuring the best of Irish and Celtic-inspired rock, 7 p.m. March 17, Salem's Historic Grand Theatre. From The Cranberries and the Pogues, to House of Pain and Hozier. Get tickets here.