Green at heart band's back for St. Patrick's Day

An Irish folk group that takes its name from an island off the coast of Ireland returns for its traditional St. Patrick's Day gig at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights.

For the last five years, Arranmore has played to sold-out audiences on St. Patrick's Day, leading Metropolis officials to book them again this year.

"We just can't get enough of these guys," says Jim Jarvis, Metropolis communications director, of Arranmore.

Their one-night only performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. Monday, and includes a guest appearance by singer Marian Bradfield direct from Donegal, Ireland, as well as the McNulty Irish Dancers.

"Marian brings the real Irish touch to the show," says band manager Mike Considine of Rolling Meadows. "She truly represents where singers and songwriters in Ireland are today."

Arranmore includes five members who all live in the suburbs and hold down day jobs while moonlighting at night and on weekends as musicians.

Band members include Briain Murphy of Hebron who plays bass and lead vocals, Kirk Rende of Minooka on keyboards, Chuck Meeder of Yorkville who plays guitar and banjo, and drummer Bob Keck and Dave Kunzweiler, both of Palatine.

For Kunzweiler, his band gigs offer a diversion from his role at Cabinets Plus in Palatine, which he runs with his three brothers.

"I'm having a blast," Kunzweiler says.

In the band, he plays guitar and electric mandolin, and sings vocals, including the stirring ballad, "Fields of Athenry."

Kunzweiler joined the group four years ago, after his own group disbanded. The 1974 St. Viator High School graduate, who majored in classical guitar at DePaul University, says playing Irish music definitely draws a bigger crowd than classical guitar.

"I like all kinds of music," he says, "but there's so much emotion in these songs, and the sound we're able to achieve as a band is great."

Arranmore typically plays a mix of folk and Celtic music at concerts, though their set on Monday will be mostly traditional Irish music, members say.

There are some standards they surely will perform, including "Danny Boy," and a tune called "McCrory," as well as "South Side Irish," which they say has drawn more than 20,000 downloads on their Web site.

But Arranmore groupies will hear some new material, too, including a moving ballad, "A Sailor's Prayer," and a Johnny Cash tune, "Forty Shades of Green," performed with Bradfield.

"The audience will get to see all sides of the Irish music experience with the two acts performing," Considine adds. "It's that mix of music, that makes the show work."

If you go

Arranmore concert, featuring Irish singer Marian Bradfield and McNulty Irish dancers

7:30 p.m. Monday

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights

$37.50

(847) 577-2121 or visit metropolisarts.com or listen at arranmore.com

Other Irish music

• Black 47, 9 p.m. tonight at Durty Nellie's, Palatine. $20.

• Hothouse Flowers, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Metropolis Performing Arts Center, Arlington Heights. $45.

• Marian Bradfield, 2 p.m. Saturday at Paddy's On the Square, Long Grove. No charge.

• Colcannon with McNulty School of Irish Dance opening, 7 p.m. Sunday, Prairie Center for the Arts, Schaumburg. $22-$24.