By: Denise Foley

John Spillane

Start your weekend Friday night with a trip south to hear amazing Cork musician John Spillane at Costa’s, 1000 West St., in Wilmington, DE. The show starts at 8.

Spillane is a two-time Meteor award winner for best "Folk/Traditional Act," and former lead vocalist/songwriter for Nomos. His third album, "Hey Dreamer," (EMI Ireland, 2005) included the hit single, The Dunne's Stores Girl, and debuted in the Irish Top Ten and achieved platinum status.

His most recent recording, “The Gaelic Hit Factory” (EMI Ireland, 2006), is a true labor of love, combining songs and the spoken word almost all in Gaeilge, the Irish language. It was created by John and his lifelong friend, Louis de Paor, head of Irish studies, University of Ireland, Galway, and one of Ireland's premier poets.

Kids under 17 are admitted free to the concert with a reservation, so you’ll also save some money if you bring the family (unless they order food, of course). The concert is sponsored by Green Willow, and you can find out more on their Web site.

You could try to hit all the hot sessions (at Fergie’s, The Plough and the Stars, and Sligo Pub).

Or maybe you’d prefer resting up for next weekend’s “Halfway to St. Paddy’s Day” event with Blackthorn at Canstatters. . .or for the entire month of September, when it’s going to be jigging more than a 4-year-old who has to tinkle.

See our September previews:

• Part 1: The Ceili Fest and More
• Part 2: Wild, Wild, Wildwood Days and a Little Town Called Bethlehem