CHICAGO (WGN) — St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, which means it’s time for the Chicago River to turn green as Chicagoans celebrate the Windy City’s rich Irish heritage not just through beer, but also through a bit of dancing.
Every year, come March, Irish Dance becomes highly sought after, with Siamsa Na Ngael at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Hall being one of the best examples to take in around the city.
“Siamsa Na Ngael is Irish for a celebration of Irish culture,” said Maura Keller, a spokesperson for Old St. Pat’s Church in West Loop. “So, that means we’re bringing in music. We’re bringing in dancers. We’re bringing in storytelling, which is also a really big part of the Irish culture.”
The lineup for Siamsa Na Ngael includes the Shannon Rovers celebrating their 100th anniversary, a performance from the popular Trinity Irish Dancers, and five-time world champion Irish dancers, the Gardiner Brothers, also taking the stage.
This year’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration at Old St. Pat’s also marks a milestone for the historic Chicago church. Founded on Easter morning in 1846, Old St. Pat’s is on the precipice of celebrating their 180-year anniversary.
For nearly two centuries, the church has stood as a bedrock of faith, resilience and community, helping Chicago’s Irish community stay connected to its roots.
“So many of our family members left during the [Irish Potato] Famine and had to really start from the ground up and create a new life,” Keller said. “Here I am, living my ancestors’ greatest dreams, and they’ve passed down these songs and these stories.”
The iconic dying of the Chicago River green takes place next Saturday morning, followed by the St. Patrick’s Day Parade at noon. Chicagoans can also head to Old St. Pat’s for the Civic Mass and the Shamrock’n Festival that takes place throughout the day.
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