St. Patrick's Day weekend events on Long Island
U2 Decades will pay tribute to Ireland's biggest band at Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center March 16. Credit: Michael Schmidt
Michael Schmidt has always been told he both looks and sounds like Bono, lead singer of Ireland’s most famous band, U2. One day, he decided to lean into it.
“It got to the point where I realized I wasn’t going to be a rock star in my own right. My wife told me not to put pressure on myself and to find a band,” says Schmidt, 59, of Center Moriches. “I put an ad on Craigslist noting U2 as one of my influences. In 2009, a U2 tribute band contacted me. I didn’t even know U2 tribute bands existed.”
Today, he fronts U2 Decades, his own U2 tribute band, which will hold a St. Patrick’s Day celebration March 16 at Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center. It is one of several Irish-themed celebrations happening during the holiday weekend. Here’s a list of activities where you can find your pot o’ gold.
WATCH THE STEPCREW DANCE
118 E. Main St., Riverhead
The StepCrew, featuring Jon Pilatzke and Cara Butler, brings its 15th anniversary tour to The Suffolk in Riverhead on March 16. Credit: Wik Heerma
Witness the blending of Irish, tap and Ottawa Valley step dancing as The StepCrew brings its 15th anniversary tour to The Suffolk at 8 p.m. March 15. A team of five dancers will move to the music of a four-piece live band playing songs that range from The Who’s “Baba O’Riley” to a traditional French Canadian number, “The Chair Dance.”
“We create rhythms with our feet while sitting in a chair,” says dancer Cara Butler, who grew up in Mineola. “It’s very fun to watch and is always a big number in the show.”
Look out for a guest appearance by Mulvihill-Lynch Irish Dance performers of Ronkonkoma.
COST $59-$89
MORE INFO 631-727-4343, thesuffolk.org
HAVE A 'SHAMROCKED WEEKEND' AT THE NUTTY IRISHMAN
323 Main St., Farmingdale
Be part of “Shamrocked Weekend” at The Nutty Irishman, which will be serving a St. Patrick’s-themed menu including traditional corned beef and cabbage or corned beef egg rolls, shepherd’s pie potato skins, the classic Reuben sandwich or Reuben sliders, plus Irish soda bread. Live bands and DJs keep the music pumping all night long starting at 8 p.m. March 15 with Pat Benatar tribute band Fire and Ice followed by a DJ set from Billy Petersen. On March 16 at 9 p.m., DJ Chris Kenny spins before a late-night appearance by party rock-dance band 12X. On St. Patrick’s Day at noon, DJ C-Mauricio warms up the crowd for an afternoon performance from top 40 rock band Local Suspects.
COST $10 (March 15 & 16), no cover on March 17, 21 and older with valid ID
MORE INFO 516-293-9700, thenuttyirishman.com
SING ALONG WITH THAT 70'S BAND
235 Lake Shore Rd., Ronkonkoma
The 70s Rock Parade will pay tribute to the rock music of the 1970s.
Get ready to boogie in your finest green outfit as That 70’s Band ignites the dance floor with a dose of disco classics at Anthony’s Live at Windows on the Lake at 6:30 p.m. March 16 at Anthony’s Live at Windows on the Lake. “People don’t stand and watch our band, they are actively involved in the show,” says saxophone player/co-founder Steve Interrante. The evening includes a buffet dinner of Irish favorites and a cash bar.
COST $54.95, $20 without dinner
MORE INFO 631-737-0088, anthonyslive.com
JAM OUT WITH JIGJAM
232 Main St., Port Washington
Catch the four-piece Irish bluegrass band at Landmark on Main play cuts off its new release, “Across the Pond,” featuring songs about immigration like “Good Ole Mountain Dew” and “John D. McGuirk’s” at 8 p.m. March 16 at Landmark's Jeanne Rimsky Theater.
“This is our most cohesive album to date,” says lead singer/guitarist Jamie McKeogh. “The songs tell the story about the Irish immigrating to America and where they are today.”
COST $38.14-$49.48
MORE INFO 516-767-6444, landmarkonmainstreet.org
ROCK WITH U2 DECADES
76 Main St., Westhampton Beach
U2 Decades will pay tribute to Ireland's biggest band at Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center March 16. Credit: Michael Schmidt
This tribute band will take the crowd at Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center on a journey through U2’s 40-plus-year career at 8 p.m. March 16.
“We touch on songs from every decade of the band,” says Schmidt. “You can expect to hear hits like ‘Elevation,’ ‘I Will Follow’ and ‘Desire’ along with deep cuts such as ‘God Part II,’ 'One Tree Hill’ and ‘Kite.’ Our job is to recreate the U2 concert experience on a smaller scale without all the bells and whistles.”
COST $49
MORE INFO 631-288-1500, whbpac.org
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
