A Gaelic Ol’ Time

9/3-9/5
Kansas City’s first Irish immigrants came here to work, digging streets and laying railroads in the 1850s. A century and a half later, however, their descendants gather to party at the Kansas City Irish Fest. Predictably, food abounds. And more than twenty musical acts from around the world supply traditional jig music and Celtic rock. Dance instructors are on-site because, after all, perform a jig and the crowd is entertained for a day, but teach a jig and the crowd is entertained for life.

But the real fun is in more opportunities for learning: Workshops cover genealogy, local history, food preparation, the Gaelic dialect and all sorts of instruments. Doors are open from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Crown Center (2450 Grand). Tickets cost $10 a day, or $8 in advance. For a schedule and a list of ticket sellers, see www.kcirish fest.com or call 816-997-0837. — Sarah Smarsh

Tower after hours

FRI 9/3
OK, so it’s not Valentine’s Day — and it’s definitely not the Empire State Building — but it’s about the closest Kansas City is going to get. So we’re issuing a plea for someone (preferably a Cary Grant look-alike) to help us finish what An Affair to Remember started at Tango Around the Tower. From 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, we’ll be appreciating the evening skyline from atop Liberty Memorial (100 West 26th Street) and re-enacting the tragic tearjerker — minus the messy traffic accident. The $5 entrance fee includes food, drinks (nonalcoholic), museum admission and music, but no tango. Go figure. For more information, call 816-784-1942. — Annie Fischer

Chi Whiz

WED 9/8
Tai chi has been popular in America for only the past 30 years or so, but the image of Chinese people moving in slow motion at parks has become common enough to show up in movies and cereal commercials. Tai chi combines deep breathing, meditation and 20 to 100 movements to create a form usually based on an animal. Starting this Wednesday, courses at the Sermon Center in Independence (201 North Dodgion) show how to balance energy using tai chi. The beginner’s class is from 6:30 to 8 p.m.; an advanced class meets from 8 to 9. So instead of running laps or bench pressing, we can brag about how we’ve been Parting the Wild Horse’s Mane or Grasping the Bird’s Tail Right Style. September’s 4-week class costs $25; a new session starts the first of each month. Call 816-325-7377. — Christopher Sebela