Every year the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Auburn observes St. Patrick's Day through the preceding week. Although its party is already halfway over, three days remain to partake in its celebration of all things Irish.
Photo illustration by Jennifer Meyers / The Citizen
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day at Irish party
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day at Irish party
Tonight, the Hibernians will welcome upward of 100 revelers into the club to catch the Irish spirit at “Family Night,” which begins at 5 p.m. with the opening of the club kitchen. A pub menu of Irish potatoes, hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage and corned beef will be served to all in attendance.
The entertainment will be provided in the form of Irish music provided by the host of “The Sounds of Irish Music” on WSFW 1110 in Geneva, Robert Welch.
“Actual folk tunes from Ireland, not updated modern semi-rock music,” said Pete Lewis, a member of the Hibernians.
Videos of scenes from Ireland - particularly the country's pubs - will accompany the music. The pub patrons are often seen singing along to the songs, and at past “Family Night” events, the crowds in the Hibernians' club have typically followed suit.
“Everybody's pretty loud when the music gets going,” said Denise Sobus, a member of the Lady's Ancient Order of Hibernians.
A troupe of young dancers will add to the musical atmosphere with an Irish step-dancing performance at 6:30 p.m.
“Once (the dancers) start doing their thing they try to pull some people out of the audience and try to get them to step-dance too,” Sobus said.
The dancers learned their moves in a weekly class at the club on Mondays. They range from 6 to 18 years old and study under Barbara Cuthbert, who teaches the dance style.
In case anyone is called upon to show their stuff at Family Night, here are a few pointers. Step-dancing is a simple - but precise - form of movement that most people can master within a few minutes. The significant rule of step-dancing is to keep one's arms at the sides.
A few basic steps can get beginning dancers off on the right foot. Each is performed from a starting position with the right foot lined up directly in front of the left. The next step, the jump threes, consist of raising the right foot and hopping with the left foot, then swinging that foot behind to hit the posterior as one lands upon the right foot.
The jump three step requires a high hop with the rear foot, during which the other foot is swung upward toward the opposite hip before landing. With a few minutes of practicing these step-dancing moves, anyone can come a little closer to capturing the Irish spirit.
On Friday, the Hibernians will host another night of traditional Irish music and food. Following the St. Patrick's Day Mass on Saturday, they will once again invite the public inside their club for an open house. The kitchen will resume serving a menu of Irish pub food at noon that day.
For the Hibernians, it ain't easy being green for a whole week. But they wouldn't do it every year if it wasn't fun as well.
Staff writer David Wilcox can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net
If you go
What: Family Night
When: 5 to 10 tonight
Where: Ancient Order of Hibernians, 73 Van Anden St., Auburn
What: Traditional Irish music and dinner
When: 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday dinner is served; DJ plays from 8 p.m. to midnight
Where: AOH, 73 Van Anden St., Auburn
What: Catholic Mass
When: 10 a.m. Saturday
Where: Holy Family Church, 85 North St., Auburn.
Details: Mass will be followed by a flag raising ceremony at 11 a.m., at Auburn City Hall, and an open house at AOH. A pub menu will be served beginning at noon with music by Dance Inc. from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
To learn more: Call 252-6459
Other events
What: Children's craft program, to make a leprechaun for St. Patrick's Day
When: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Seymour Library, 176-178 Genesee St., Auburn
Cost: Free
For details: Call 252-2571
What: Barragan School of Dance performing Irish step-dancing
When: 5 to 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Burritt's Cafe, 8914 N. Seneca St., Weedsport
For details: Call 834-6870
What: St. Patrick's Day Gala
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Ukrainian National Club, Washington Street, Auburn
For details: Call 253-5997
The entertainment will be provided in the form of Irish music provided by the host of “The Sounds of Irish Music” on WSFW 1110 in Geneva, Robert Welch.
“Actual folk tunes from Ireland, not updated modern semi-rock music,” said Pete Lewis, a member of the Hibernians.
Videos of scenes from Ireland - particularly the country's pubs - will accompany the music. The pub patrons are often seen singing along to the songs, and at past “Family Night” events, the crowds in the Hibernians' club have typically followed suit.
“Everybody's pretty loud when the music gets going,” said Denise Sobus, a member of the Lady's Ancient Order of Hibernians.
A troupe of young dancers will add to the musical atmosphere with an Irish step-dancing performance at 6:30 p.m.
“Once (the dancers) start doing their thing they try to pull some people out of the audience and try to get them to step-dance too,” Sobus said.
The dancers learned their moves in a weekly class at the club on Mondays. They range from 6 to 18 years old and study under Barbara Cuthbert, who teaches the dance style.
In case anyone is called upon to show their stuff at Family Night, here are a few pointers. Step-dancing is a simple - but precise - form of movement that most people can master within a few minutes. The significant rule of step-dancing is to keep one's arms at the sides.
A few basic steps can get beginning dancers off on the right foot. Each is performed from a starting position with the right foot lined up directly in front of the left. The next step, the jump threes, consist of raising the right foot and hopping with the left foot, then swinging that foot behind to hit the posterior as one lands upon the right foot.
The jump three step requires a high hop with the rear foot, during which the other foot is swung upward toward the opposite hip before landing. With a few minutes of practicing these step-dancing moves, anyone can come a little closer to capturing the Irish spirit.
On Friday, the Hibernians will host another night of traditional Irish music and food. Following the St. Patrick's Day Mass on Saturday, they will once again invite the public inside their club for an open house. The kitchen will resume serving a menu of Irish pub food at noon that day.
For the Hibernians, it ain't easy being green for a whole week. But they wouldn't do it every year if it wasn't fun as well.
Staff writer David Wilcox can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net
If you go
What: Family Night
When: 5 to 10 tonight
Where: Ancient Order of Hibernians, 73 Van Anden St., Auburn
What: Traditional Irish music and dinner
When: 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday dinner is served; DJ plays from 8 p.m. to midnight
Where: AOH, 73 Van Anden St., Auburn
What: Catholic Mass
When: 10 a.m. Saturday
Where: Holy Family Church, 85 North St., Auburn.
Details: Mass will be followed by a flag raising ceremony at 11 a.m., at Auburn City Hall, and an open house at AOH. A pub menu will be served beginning at noon with music by Dance Inc. from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
To learn more: Call 252-6459
Other events
What: Children's craft program, to make a leprechaun for St. Patrick's Day
When: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Seymour Library, 176-178 Genesee St., Auburn
Cost: Free
For details: Call 252-2571
What: Barragan School of Dance performing Irish step-dancing
When: 5 to 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Burritt's Cafe, 8914 N. Seneca St., Weedsport
For details: Call 834-6870
What: St. Patrick's Day Gala
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Ukrainian National Club, Washington Street, Auburn
For details: Call 253-5997
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Don McConnell, Killeen, Tx wrote on Mar 15, 2007 5:20 PM: