By DAN ARMONAITIS
Downtown Spartanburg will be filled with music throughout the afternoon and evening on Saturday, March 14 as two major St. Patrick’s Day-themed events are held along Main Street.
The 3rd annual Shenanigans on the Square will be presented by Delaney’s Irish Pub and Wild Wing Cafe from noon to 9 p.m. with music and other activities being held at Morgan Square and inside each venue.
The FR8yard, meanwhile, will host Yard Malarkey 2020, an extravaganza running from noon to 11 p.m. and featuring more than a half-dozen local and regional music artists.
“It speaks volumes about this town, and it’s not a first … not by a long shot,” said FR8yard partner Kenneth Cribb, referring to the two events that will be held within a couple of blocks of one another. “In the spring and fall, it’s not unusual to have a variety of awesome events — many with live music — happening simultaneously. It’s one reason why I love this city and think it’s a hidden gem in the South. The secret’s getting out.”
Music performers for Shenanigans on the Square include O’Shields & Inman, the Trevor Hewitt Band and No Sweat on the outdoor Ellis Law Firm LLC, Inc. Main Stage in Morgan Square as well as Bill & Tad’s Excellent Duo, the Wes, Bob & Bill Show, the TJ Jeter Band and Quarterfly inside Delaney’s, with the latter performing after the outdoor activities conclude at 9 p.m. Wild Wing Cafe will also feature a post-festival DJ Dance Party hosted by iPartyology.
“Spartanburg, as a whole, has some of the best musicians in the world,” said Kevin Ashcraft, a spokesperson for Delaney’s. “We love the fact that we get to work with them all the time. This event showcases some of that amazing talent.”
Cribb said the lineup for Yard Malarkey, just down the street at The FR8yard, was largely curated by Spartanburg musician Brandy Lindsey. Those performing include M27, The Low Stakes, Monaco 1962, The Sally Rides (which includes Lindsey), The Van Dangs, Marc Higgins & the Chainsaw Bears, Pierce Edens and the Matthew Knights Band. DJ Sirvivor will also be on hand, and there will be a performance by the Connick School Irish Dancers.
“As an incredible musician in her own right, (Lindsey) knows her stuff and speaks the language of her fellow musicians,” Cribb said. “Brandy, Ryan Ferguson (our awesome production manager) and myself, as a team, have put together a solid day of live music that includes amazing local original musicianship from folks that have been integral to the Spartanburg scene for decades …
“We also have awesome newbies who are making a big splash, like the fellas from Monaco 1962 — these guys bring the heat. Pierce Edens, out of the Asheville (N.C.) area, may as well be one of us as he’s been popular in Spartanburg for over a decade; however, he’s tearing it up all over the region and touring almost non-stop. The quality is there; it’s eclectic, it’s balanced (and) it’s well-thought out. Old fans will be satisfied and new fans will be made.”
Both Yard Malarkey and Shenanigans on the Square are family-friendly events with activities for attendees of all ages as well as a variety of food and beverages.
Cribb said The FR8yard will feature such games as ping pong, corn hole and giant jenga, as well as the biggest television in town, its 20-foot jumbotron, while Ashcraft noted that Delaney’s will be serving shepherds pie, corned beef & cabbage, reubens, bangers & mash and Guinness Bratwurst to go along with a wide selection of Irish drinks for adults.
“We would like for everyone to come be Irish with us for the day,” Ashcraft said, referring to Shenanigans on the Square. “Let’s forget the trouble we face in society and enjoy a beautiful day.”
Organizers for both events are taking extra steps to ensure everyone’s safety in regard to the coronavirus pandemic that has affected the U.S. and pretty much the entire world.
“We are including additional hand-washing and sanitizing stations at the entrances on Main Street and Broad Street,” said Cribb, referring to The FR8yard. “We are requiring that people use them upon entering. Once inside, there will be sanitizer stations at each order window, and we will be using sani-wipes to wipe off touch screens between uses. We are (and) have been educating our staff along CDC/DHEC guidelines for some time now as it pertains to the coronavirus.”
Likewise, Ashcraft said that hand sanitizer will be readily available at Shenanigans on the Square and that everything will be wiped down on an hourly basis.
Shenanigans on the Square is part of a week-long St. Patrick’s Day celebration at Delaney’s, which will also offer music performances throughout the day on Tuesday, March 17.
Yard Malarkey is the first big event scheduled for the 2020 season at The FR8yard, which will feature plenty more live music opportunities throughout the next several months.
“We have been thrilled beyond belief regarding the public’s reaction to FR8yard and the success we’ve seen with that concept,” Cribb said. “Naturally, it comes with its own challenges, being open-air and all. …
“The FR8yard experience is unmatched, especially when the weather is at its best. St. Paddy’s Day is a big day for us. In fact, last year’s was the biggest single day we’ve seen as a company, across all categories. (We’re) super stoked to be cranking up the 2020 season, and there are lots of exciting things in store at the Yard.”
Here are the music lineups, including performance times, for each event:
SHENANIGANS ON THE SQUARE
Ellis Law Firm LLC, Inc. Main Stage
Noon: O’Shields & Inman
3:30 p.m: Trevor Hewitt Band
6:30 p.m.: No Sweat
Delaney’s Irish Pub Stage
Noon: Bill & Tad’s Excellent Duo
3 p.m.: Wes, Bob & Bill Show
6 p.m.: TJ Jeter Band
9 p.m.: Quarterfly
Wild Wing Stage
9 p.m.: DJ Dance Party hosted by iPartyology
YARD MALARKEY AT THE FR8YARD
2 p.m.: M27
3 p.m.: The Low Stakes
4 p.m.: Monaco 1962
5 p.m.: The Sally Rides
6 p.m.: The Van Dangs
7 p.m.: Marc Higgins & the Chainsaw Bears
8 p.m.: Pierce Edens
9:45 p.m.: Matthew Knights Band