Three don’t-miss shows kick off performance season for the fall

The fall arts season gets off to a roaring start with three upcoming cultural showcases.
Sean Nós Dance Show at Florian Hall

On Friday at 7:30 pm Florian Hall hosts the straight-from-Ireland show “Fuaim Chonamara” (“Connemara Sound”), a rousing celebration of Sean Nós (“Old Style”) dancing throughout history.

Unlike the choreographed “Riverdance”-style performances, Sean Nós dancing is highly improvisational, low to the ground, rhythmic dancing in which the performer is free to interpret the music. It is believed that American tap and Appalachian clog dancing can be traced back to the Sean Nós styles of West Galway.

Headlined by international star Brian Cunningham and his sister Irene, Friday night’s show will include barrel-top dancing. Accompanying the hoofers will be the legendary Jimmy Keane, a 5 time world accordion champion, Oisín MacDiarmaide on fiddle, JTJ on guitar as well as an abundance of local vocal and instrumental talent.

Tickets are $20 available at Florian Hall, JJ’s Irish Pub, Twelve Bens and Greenhills Bakery.

Ninth Boston
“Ähts” Festival

Looking ahead to this Saturday and Sunday, the 9th annual Boston Arts Festival, affectionately referred as (ähts), runs noon to 6 p.m., at Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park.

On display both days will be the works of more than 60 juried visual artists offering to sell one-of-a-kind and limited edition pieces in the artists’ arcade.

The free festival also features a wide variety of performances on two stages. This year’s entertainers include the Orfeo Group, Opera Boston, Lisa Bello, Boston Conservatory, City Stage Company, Miss Fairchild, Makanda Project, the Boston Tap Company, Samantha Shultz, Road Soda, Mission Hill, and Stereo Telescope. Family friendly activities range from interactive painting led by the Mayor’s Mural Crew to all-day glass blowing demonstrations.

For detailed schedules visit the bostonahtsfestival.com.
12th South Boston Street Festival

The following Saturday, September 16, over 10,000 folks are expected to deluge Southie’s Flood Square (East Broadway from I to L Street) for the 12th South Boston Street Festival(SBSF), which aims to “connect long-time residents, newcomers and visitors …with neighborhood businesses and cultural organizations.”

SBSF also boasts continuous acts on two stages, most notably synthrock band Gentleman Hall (winner of Boston Phoenix’s “Boston Best New Act)” ; Ayla Brown, MA Senator’s country-star daughter and “American Idol” contestant; the feel-good Greg Luttrel Band; and Southie’s own Thomas Park Band, covering rock, R&B, and Top 40 hits.

Kids’ activities include face painters, balloon twisters, step dancers and street performers along with airbrush tattoo artists and exhibits from the Aquarium.

More info at southbostonstreetfestival.com.