Boston’s Celtic Clan Performing Live At McCabe’s Irish Pub

Celtic Clan is taking a winter break in Florida and that’s good news for us.

The popular Boston-area band, which can usually be heard playing its mix of Celtic/Irish music at the famous Black Rose Pub, is making a couple of stops at , 302 Old Main St., this month.

They’re playing at 7 p.m. Sunday and on Feb. 29. Buckets of Bud and Bud Light are $12 during the show. No cover.

Thomas Stynes, co-owner of McCabe’s and a Dublin-area transplant, has an ear for authentic Celtic music.

“These guys are so much fun,” he said. “If you want a great Celtic experience, this will just tear you wide open. They’re absolutely fantastic.”

Frank Ryan, Celtic Clan’s lead singer, and Hughie Purcell, who plays bass and banjo, are also from Dublin. Stynes said Purcell is from the same Dublin neighborhood as he is, but they never knew each other until about six years ago. Billy Hardy, who plays the fiddle, is from Cape Cod, and Stynes said his sound brings tears to his eyes.

“Anyone who wants to get into that St. Patrick’s Day feeling a bit early, come on down,” he said.

Also around Bradenton this weekend:

• , 4343 Palma Sola Blvd., has live music from Sean Chambers band starting at 9 p.m. Friday. The band describes its music as a blend of Chicago, Texas and Delta-style blues. Cover: $7.
• Manatee Crimestoppers is hosting its first “Tasting Wine to Help Fight Crime” at 7 p.m. Saturday at the , featuring wine from some of the best wine countries in the world and food pairings. Call (941) 792-2732 for tickets or get them at the door, if any are still available. Cost: $75 per person. Participants will enjoy a wine tasting featuring the wines of PRP Wine International with specially selected food pairings from the Bradenton Country Club. Each person will receive a “passport” to visit over 10 countries throughout the club, where they can sample the country’s wine as well as a food pairing. There also will be a coffee and dessert station, door prizes, a silent auction, and special gifts for attendees. Featured Countries include (but are not limited to) France, Germany, Italy, Spain, South Africa, Australia, Chile and Argentina.
• The Vin Lamar Band brings its unique sound of Americana-alternative-country-pop to , 3102 53rd Ave. E., this Saturday from 9 p.m. to midnight.
• , 7423 Manatee Ave. W., has happy hour specials 11-7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 3-7 p.m. Saturday with featuring $2.50 wells, $3. 50 select calls, $2.50 domestic bottles, $2 domestic drafts, $3 house wines, $4 margaritas.