#drew patterson

[jonfarreporter]

The Patterson Family, producers of The Dickens Fair are pleased to present the Marin Irish Festival; back by popular demand

For the two years and counting, the producers/coordinators of The Dickens Christmas Fair, Red Barn Productions are eager to establish a new tradition of The Marin Irish Festival which will be held this weekend at the Marin County Fairgrounds.

Based upon a long-standing Irish tradition called ‘Ceílí’ (pronounced KAY-lee) a social gathering celebrating singing, dancing and storytelling. ‘Ceílí’ is derived from the Gaelic word for visiting and company/companionship.

Along with the custom of ‘Ceili’ is that of the May Day festival known in Gaelic as ‘Beltane’ which celebrates the summer solstice and the start of the summer season. It is in this spirit of the ‘Beltane’ that the festival offers a full weekend of performances, hands-on cultural experiences, and family-friendly fun all rooted in Irish heritage.

“The Marin Irish Festival brings people together through shared traditions, storytelling, and celebration,” said event producer, Drew Patterson. “Whether you’re honoring your heritage or discovering Irish culture for the first time, it’s a weekend filled with connection, music, and fun.”

Festival-goers can explore six stage areas featuring live entertainment, including acclaimed Irish musicians, high-energy dance performances, a dance competition, storytelling, and a free children’s game area.

More than 40 craft vendors will offer handcrafted and rare goods, while food vendors serve classic Irish fare, such as corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, and sweet treats, along with pints of Guinness, locally brewed ales, hard ciders, and soft drinks.

The Patterson Family which established the Dickens Christmas Fair and the Bay Area’s unique rendition of the Renaissance Fair is pleased that this Marin Irish Festival is back by popular demand.

The festival will once again host an authentic feis (pronounced fesh) - a fully sanctioned Irish dance competition in partnership with the Jackie Flynn Irish Dance Academy.

The Ceílí on the Lake Championships brings dancers of all ages together to compete for the coveted Champion of Champions title.

This year’s entertainment lineup includes renowned Irish music acts, such as The Black Brothers, The Black Irish Band,Avalon Rising, Ceol sa Cheo, Paddy on the Binge, and more.

Musicians of all ages and skill levels are invited to participate in open seisiúin (pronounced seh-SHOON) - open jam sessions - inside the Bearded Goose Pub, a relaxed, communal setting celebrating the shared joy of Irish music.

Beyond music and dance, the festival offers immersive cultural experiences, including:

United Irish Cultural Center (UICC): Showcasing the “Keepers of the Steps” exhibit and activities, along with hard-to-find Irish imports, including rare books and traditional salty and sweet treats. 

Falcon’s Court: A captivating birds-of-prey environment featuring falcons, owls, and hawks. Guests will have the opportunity to meet these majestic raptors up close, with the option to hold them and take photos in exchange for a suggested donation.

Beginner Irish Language Workshop: Festival-goers can learn basic phrases and a poem or song (or two) at the Poet’s Corner.

Marin 4-H: An interactive and up-close opportunity to meet Marin County’s young agricultural leaders and the rabbits, chickens, and cows they expertly raise and show.

The festival marketplace showcases Irish craftsmanship, including jewelry, textiles, ceramics, artwork, and traditional goods. Returning favorites include the Bearded Goose Irish Pub, joined this year by a second pub, The Gander, offering even more space to enjoy drinks, music, and camaraderie.

And for those who want to do more than watching the formal competitions, festival attendees are invited to join open set dancing sessions led by instructors throughout the weekend. 

Dancers interested in participating can learn more and register to compete at marinirishfestival.com/feis.

The 2026 Marin Irish Festival & Ceílí on the Lake Championships will be at Lagoon Park at the Marin County Fairgrounds located at 110 Armory Dr, San Rafael, CA

 Festivities begin at 10 AM and continue until 6:00 PM, Saturday & Sunday, May 16–17, 2026.

Tickets are Available now at tickets.marincenter.org

Single day tickets: $30 adults | $15 children (ages 5–11) 

Two-day weekend pass is available for $50 adults | $25 children (ages 5–11)
Parking is FREE onsite and along the street.
For more info visit the Marin Irish Festival website.

[thistributeisonfire]

Robbie Amell - Picture This!

[drustikov]

Home Is Where The Heart Is

Home is where the heart is

But who’s heart is my home?

My heart is beating in my chest,

Yet still I’m all alone.

  And when I go to places new

Or back to places old,

My heart continues beating strong

But I still feel cold.

  I’m sure my heart’s the one I need,

I’m sure my home is there,

But maybe my hearts not in me.

  They tell me I must choose my path,

They tell me I must think.

“Use your head, your brain, your mind,

Thought’s the missing link.”

  But every time I use my head,

When I let my mind run free,

It always thinks about my heart

And where I want to be.

  “So where is it you want to go?

What is it you seek?”

They push and pry and ask me why

And make me feel weak.

  “I don’t know what I should do,

But I need an answer now.

I’m trying, crying and scared to death.

I just want out somehow.”

  “Out to where?” They ask again,

“Where would you rather be?” “Anywhere but here” I say,

“I just want to be free!”

  “Free?” they say with discontent,

“You are already free

So tell us where you want to go,

Tell us what you see”

  “I see myself somewhere else

Making a new start.

I want a home thats all my own.

I want to find my heart.

  I want to feel warm again,

I want to start anew, 

I want know whats in my heart,

I want to know whats true.”

  Maybe its a big mistake,

Perhaps I’ll fall apart

But I’d rather lose my mind for this

Than live without my heart.

  I’ll go for now, I’ll take a shot,

I’ll gamble on my life.

I’ll sell it all for just one chance

To end this foolish strife. 

  I know it’s crazy, I know I’m mad

But thats what makes this sane.

I’m looking for my heart right now

My home is not my brain 

  So I will go and find my home

I know where to begin,

A place I’ve never been before 

The place my heart is in.

  And though I think my heart is there

Perhaps they all we right.

Then what is it I’ll have to say In face of all their spite?

  I’ll look into my new found heart,

I’ll make use of my head,

I’ll think and feel until I know

What needs to be said.

  I’ll contemplate everything

And conjure up my strike

Then I’ll admit my grave mistake.

“But at least it’s one I like.”

[drustikov]

Forgotten Eve

Blackened silence sits stale and plain

Pitch black nothing with nothing to gain

  Marking lonely and lightless space

Of musty, dusty darkened face. 

  So quiet and dingy as though forgotten. 

The slow lose smell of dried and rotten. 

  Not to be seen nor heard but clear 

In its style lucidity sheer. 

  The click of small straight switch of steel. 

Focused dark echoes reveal. 

  And as noise meets space so does break 

A spotlight shine in endless wake. 

  Lonely and dark explodes to light 

  White and strong through deep and black 

Remove the guise and push all back. 

  And with the gift of eyes to see 

No longer is the room empty. 

  So much can just one still light bring 

The stage is set but who will sing? 

  Now that light turns chapter page 

Surely someone dawns the stage. 

  But no performer, no prop, no crowd 

There is but light and silence loud. 

  Though only seen what stands in light 

There clearly lies void in the night. 

  For in the rows no noise is made 

And on the stage no play is played. 

  The theater still the night still cold 

The one light hot but no words told. 

  So why in here the lighted way? 

When no play be played or crowd be swayed. 

  What reason would such night be torn 

And from the darkness light be born? 

  And, who makes pass at black so deep? 

What unnatural light has leveled steep? 

  When no one moves nor nothing there 

And though stage lit there is no care. 

  And How has such a moment come? 

When by no hand the switch be sprung 

  And musty dark so whole and think 

Be punctured through by one mere click. 

  How can such a moment be 

When no one will this lone light see? 

  When for so long the stage lay bared 

For year on end and no one cared. 

  Time left all to waste away 

And lighted stage in darkness stay. 

  And not a word nor life has graced 

For fifty years no presence faced. 

  The forgotten stories left untold 

Forgotten building once warm, now cold. 

  And all the life and love once free 

Now stricken and left in wretched be. 

  Voices once heard now to are gone 

And never again will show go on. 

  But then on this, one fated eve, 

One light does this old stage receive. 

  But for what purpose and for who's care? 

For what kind heart have action shared? 

  For though the stage again be bright 

No noise of movement in the night. 

  No steps or creeks, or window cracks, 

No doors ajar or dusty tracks. 

  All ever still in the forgotten night 

Except one switch and ghostly light.

[drustikov]

No Man’s Night

You seek a safe pass through the night

But friend I urge you, wait till light, 

For ye do not know what I do 

And hear my words the risk is true. 

  No traveler dares to walk these trails 

When suns gone down and moonlight fails. 

My friend your best to stay in sight 

And stay away from dark of night. 

  Though, not the night of which one dreams 

But one that rips and tears at seams 

And sends a chill down travelers spine. 

This is not night, this is not mine. 

  This night’s no man’s so hear me well 

Do not wander depths of hell. 

Beyond the blackened empty screen 

  This beast of cruel sick intent 

On death and terror he is bent 

So as the children gently sleep 

You do not know what sorts will seep 

  Through devilish snaking winding crawl 

Beneath our feet, between us all 

This demon lurks behind the black 

Poised to strike in fast attack. 

  No, nothing can prepare you, son, 

For evils that are sure to come 

And from the night one foul slash 

To leave you left with open gash. 

  This creatures mind has nothing sane. 

No, nor, perhaps a living brain. 

It simply kills for natures sake. 

It has no soul or life to take. 

  So be ye warned, and do take care,

For you know not who’s path you share 

And as you walk in pitch black guise, 

And scour route with tired eyes 

  That stare like mad into the gloom 

But tell you nothing of your doom, 

You’ll sense the peril as it grows 

But in the dimness nothing shows. 

  Then when your fear is at its peak 

And your mind and soul grow weak 

The beast that waits will see its shot 

But in the darkness you will not.

[drustikov]

[drustikov]

Down the Rabbit Hole

Another night of staring wide eyed up into the abyss of a darkened chamber  with walls faintly lit by the eerie lime glow of my digital alarm clock that watches me lie blank in the black of my cold and lonely room uncovered on my bed in jeans and an old t-shirt in the hours that taunt me as I am Reminded by the clock every minute that only a minute has passed while In my mind the same thoughts swirl and dance over and over until I grow dizzy and must check the clock again but the hour never changes and nor do my thoughts for as hard as I try to let go my mind still holds on to the threads of consciousness that dangle from the barely visible seams of light  narrowly piercing the fine cracks between the fabric of  my hideous brown curtains, crosshatched ink pen drawings in a nineteenth century children’s book that I would read over and over again as a child and still to this day would if the images of Alice and her adventures in wonderland were not burned in my brain like the cigarette burns on the covers of my vintage albums that hang on the wall above my bed reflecting the eerie alarm clock glow across the room to create green squares on the wall covering themselves with the blankness running rampant in my mind and flowing out into the black air of my home and like a corridor in a sinking ship filling my room with the white noise of insomnia until my mind is pressed up against the ceiling and I am drowned in my own meaningless thoughts, thoughts that confuse and confound me as I try to solve the sub-conscious riddles of sleep deprivation but in the dark of twilight, between dream and hallucination, my mind cannot grasp the pressing matter of the unimportant for as I look to the clock for the millionth time and my eyes meet the piercing sting of lime, I see the same face I have always known and my love dwindles just as it did before and shall do again and like all my thoughts the meaning of life becomes trivial and my mind is swept blank again for time has forsaken me and like a character in a nineteenth century children’s book I must live in the same moment for ever, and as I lie uncovered on my bed in jeans and an old t-shirt with my lime green clock watching at me through the dark of my lonely room as I stare up into the abyss of a darkened chamber my mind slips away, my eyes close and I fall down the rabbit hole into wonderland.