Halfway to St. Patrick's Day with Anthony Arya

United Irish Cultural Center

The UICC and Unite SF team up for a festive celebration

It's time for a little late summer Wearin' o' the Green! September 17 is Half-way to St. Patrick’s Day, and it is also International Irish Dance Day so the UICC is teaming with Unite SF (St. Patrick’s Day Parade organizers) and hosting a celebration in Wawona Gates at the Irish Center complete with live music, festivities, Irish merchants, and some local Irish Dance history and dancing entertainment organized by our Keepers of the Steps program who will present a mini pop-up exhibit. No cover charge.<ul><li>Anthony Arya (folk/rock—featured on NBC's "The Voice") from 3:30-6 pm</li><li>Special performance by the Whelan Academy of Irish Dance</li><li>Irish Pipers Band of San Francisco and welcoming our Youth Pipers!</li><li>Jerry Daly Art Exhibition </li><li>Keepers of the Steps Mini Pop-Up Exhibit (Irish Dance history exhibit)</li><li>SF Irish Consulate to offer a "Pop-Up Consulate"</li><li>Irish Center SF Irish Shoppe</li><li>UICC Membership and Project 2025 Information Table</li><li>Vendors: Treasure Ireland (Marie Mallon); Irish Castle Gifts (Orla O'Malley); Celtic Tea Shoppe</li><li>Special appearance my SF Mayor London Breed</li><li>Youth Activities</li><li>Prizes for most green attire! Get your green on!</li></ul>

Meet Anthony Arya folk/rock performing and recording artist from Santa Cruz, CAAnthony Arya is a roots rock performing and recording artist from the San Francisco Bay Area. In Fall 2018 at age 15, Anthony was a contestant on Season 15 of NBC’s The Voice. Shortly after, he released his debut album Going To California. With rocking crowd favorites such as “Slow Train” and “Blues By Midnight”, Anthony quickly became one of the most popular artists in music-rich Santa Cruz, California. The Anthony Arya Band has performed at well known events in the Monterey Bay Area including the Redwood Mountain Faire, the Capitola Art and Wine Festival, and the West End Celebration. His music is frequently played on the iconic roots radio station KPIG. His second album The Road, released in Spring 2020, encompasses the Beat-Dylan American traditions of love, socio-political awareness, and the open road. Fans love the upbeat rock songs “The Road” and “Moonlight” as well as the melodic folksy lyrics of “California Air” and “Sarah”. Arya's first official music video for "California Air" showing iconic shots from his hometown of Santa Cruz won a semi-finalist award in the International Songwriting Competition. In June 2020 Anthony Arya received the prestigious award of Presidential Scholar in the Arts (category singer/songwriter) awarded by the US Department of Education.In 2021, Anthony released Listen to the Voice of Anthony Arya, a tribute to his Voice journey with covers of the songs he performed in auditions and on the show. Since The Voice, Arya has performed hundreds of shows around the Bay Area and folks say you're likely to walk away humming one of his tunes for days after a performance. His signature tone has audiences captivated by solo performances and the Anthony Arya Band brings a rockin' dimension to Arya's music combining influences of rock, folk, and blues. Circles &amp; the Flames, Arya's third album, was released in May 2022 and has received praise in multiple arenas. "Jaded Rust", a nostalgic endearing folk song, was selected by Nashville’s The Bluebird Cafe / Taylor Guitars' Golden Pick Contest. A hard-driving Americana song,"Ballad of Eugene" earned him a spot as a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition Americana category as well as a finalist in the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival's Blues Challenge. "Lovers of Valdaro", a haunting love song, was selected as a Finalist in the International Acoustic Music Awards. At recent shows, fans are requesting recordings of the latest songs and a fourth album is in the works. https://www.youtube.com/anthonyarya/