Richmond Olympic Oval kicks off the holiday season this weekend with the De Danaan Christmas Feis celebration starting Friday, Nov. 30.
In traditional Gaelic spirit, the celebration features dance competitions, musical performances and a one-woman play.
To begin, world-renowned Irish writer and performer MÃ ire Clerkin stages her autobiographical comedy The Bad Arm: Confessions of a Dodgy Irish Dancer.
"It's a story about all kinds of issues that many people with no Irish dance background would relate to - sibling rivalry, difficult relationships with parents, teenage rebellion.identity confusion," said Clerkin, who now lives in California.
Irish folk group Beoga takes the stage the following night playing a traditional Irish sound with flavours from blues and jazz.
"We try to keep the listener guessing and that means there are always plenty of twists and turns in the music, which helps keep it interesting," said percussionist Eamon Murray.
"It's nice to be playing music that both young and old people can appreciate and want to come along to listen to."
As a feis is traditionally centered around dance, The De Danaan Society hosts its Irish Dancing competition on both the Saturday and Sunday, with the championships taking place on Saturday and the Grade Competitions on the Sunday.
Richmondites can also check out workshops and crafts throughout the weekend such as with Beoga, Dancing Minds with Sean Connolly, Gaelic football demonstrations, Christmas crafts and jewelry.
Tickets to the play and concert are $20 each, or $35 together, and can be purchased at brownpapertickets. com. Dance competitors can register and buy discounted tickets at FeisWorx.com.
