Join us for a LIVE Community Chat Today (March 10) with the team producing  Sober St. Patrick’s Day, perhaps the liveliest, most spirited annual party found anywhere March 17. Now an international phenomenon, Sober St. Patrick’s Day is now on board in Belfast; New York City; Cleveland; Casper, Wyoming; and Richmond, Virginia. Our special guests for this chat are founder and producer Bill Reilly, and associate producers Shawn Parker and Maureen Donachie. The discussion will begin in the Main Chat Room at 5:00 p.m. Eastern (U.S.) Time.

Sober St. Patrick’s Day was created by award-winning theater and television producer, William Spencer Reilly, who almost lost a member of his family to addiction nine years ago. He first proposed the idea to leaders in the recovery and Irish American communities, a pitch that led, a year later, to the 2012 inaugural party. Now an annual event, Sober St. Patrick’s Day was held again on March 16, 2013; parade day in New York City and is scheduled to again grace St. Patrick’s Day rites with a larger venue Monday, March 17, 4p to 7:30 pm ET.

With the participation of celebrities from the arts, world-class musicians and dancers, senior Irish politicians, television cameras, and a sold-out crowd, Sober St. Patrick’s Day was launched on the world in New York City on March 17, 2012. This new kind of party attracted significant media coverage and was, by any standards, a roaring success – no green beer or bad behavior, just a really good time! The party sold out in advance again in 2013 and received even more press and TV coverage, as Sober St. Patrick's Day has now expanded to other cities, too.

The Irish national holiday – St. Patrick’s Day – is celebrated around the world and nowhere more enthusiastically than in America. Unfortunately, the holiday has become increasingly associated with uncontrolled levels of drinking and public intoxication, alienating citizens and audiences everywhere who want to enjoy the best in traditional Irish culture and "reclaim the true spirit of the day."

Sober St. Patrick’s Day is for anyone looking for an alternative to the boozy stereotype, whether you’re looking to provide a healthy celebration of Irish entertainment for your entire family, want to go on a great new date or are a person in recovery who has long since abandoned the holiday.

New York City Party:

World-class musicians, dancers, comedians, and celebrities

Monday, March 17th, 2014 (Parade Day in NYC)

Time: 4 - 7:30PM

Place: Cathedral H.S., 350 East 56th Street, NYC

Ticket Price: General Admission - $20; Students (under 21) and Seniors (62+) - $15; Children (under 10) - $10

All NYC tickets purchased on line here.

Please do not call Cathedral H.S. for tickets.

Snacks, Fruit, Baked goods, and Soft drinks will be served.

Performers include:

Cathy Maguire, Dundalk, Co. Louth

*NEW* Sing-along of great Irish songs!

UCD Choral Scholars, Dublin

Tulla Pipe Band, Co. Clare

‘All-Star Ceili Dance Band,’ featuring

John Whelan, 8 Time All-Ireland Button Accordion Champion

Brian Conway, 5 Time All-Ireland Champion Fiddle Player

Brendan Dolan, keyboard

Brendan Fahey, ceili drums

Ivan Goff

Donny Golden School of Irish Dance

Marianne McShane, Seanachie (Storyteller)

The Fee Sisters, Musicians & Dancers

Haley Richardson, All-Ireland Fiddle Champion

Donie Carroll, Vocals & Guitar

Malachy McCourt, author, actor and raconteur

To learn more, visit http://www.soberstpatricksday.org/aboutus.html and view these stirring video highlights of past events and current plans.