The luck of the Irish lasts a whole week when you're at Clancy's. The Irish pub has decided to extend the St. Patrick's Day celebrations from one day to an entire week! The green beverages begin pouring on Saturday March 13th as one of my all time favorite Manitoba bands takes to the stage. The Dust Rhino's are making their return to Brandon and intend on getting us up on our feet. The first time I saw this band I was 10 years of age at the Brandon Folk Fest and I have adored them ever since. They describe themselves as butt kickin' Celtic rock and I couldn't think of a better way to sum them up. When Blair, Darren, Dan, Dale, and Andy bring out the mandolin, fiddle, and an instrument known as the bodhran, you can't possibly sit still. The Dust Rhino's will be setting the upbeat joyful pace that will flow throughout the week.

Up next on the entertainment list is a Brandon band I have yet to see. I am looking forward to my introduction to the sounds of Seeing Colour. The group consists of Dylan MacDonald on guitar and vocals, Conan Mickey on guitar, Johnny Smith taking up double duty on the drums and vocals, Marely Williamson on bass, and David Naylor rounding things up as he rocks out the trumpet, keyboard, and vocals. They are a young group eager to get out on the stage and show people what they can do. They will be doing just that on Monday March 15th at Clancy's.

Tuesday March 16th will feature another favorite around the city, Fingals Last Pint. The band contains two Bruce's affectionately called Bruce 1 and Bruce 2, Kat, Shauna, Dave, Kerry, Bill, and a few other wandering musicians depending on the stage and the season. Their tunes are a pleasant mix of reggae, Celtic, worldly funk and all of it makes you move.

At last we have actually reached the official St. Patty's Day, Wednesday, March 17th will mark the first day of a double feature of Spud Murphy! A winter festival favorite, Spud Murphy has continued to draw in huge crowds at the Irish Pavilion every year. They are going to keep us on our feet and thirsty which works well with the amount of green beer and Guinness that is sure to be consumed.

Friday March 19th will highlight Beggar's Brawl a Winnipeg Celtic group armed with a fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, banjo, bodhran, and tin whistles! There are absolutely no “plugged in” or electric instruments and as the band says “we're a Celtic band, that means we ALL sing”! The group is made up of musicians and singers: Darrell English, Mike Symak, Miriam Neuman, and D'Arcy Stearns. They are another on my favorite play list and I can guarantee once you've heard them they'll be on yours as well.

The week long celebrations come to its finale as Aerdrie takes the stage Saturday night. If you have managed to last through the week of Irish celebrations you should be awarded a gold, no make that a green star. It is going to be a week full of celebrations, dancing, lively music, old friends, new friends, silly hats, stick on tattoos, and lots of green food colouring. So take a look back down your genealogy and try and find that smidgen of Irish blood in you and if not just make sure to wear a spot of green and drink a beer or two and I'm sure you will blend in just fine.