Columnist Joe Delaney: Get ready for the green

Joe Delaney

Thursday, March 12, 1998 | 10:50 a.m.

SAINT PATRICK is venerated equally in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. ... Son of a Roman Tribune stationed in England, he was captured and taken to Ireland in slavery, later escaped to Europe, made his way to Rome, entered the Catholic Church; then, as a bishop, returned to Ireland and is credited with converting the country to Christianity.

Irish trivia: St. Patrick's Cathedral in mostly Protestant Northern Ireland's city of Armagh is Catholic and St. Patrick's Cathedral in free Ireland's Dublin, 95 percent Catholic, is Protestant.

We have been honored to portray St. Patrick in the Sons and Daughters of Erin's annual March 17 parade. ... We will do so again this year. ... The parade starts at 10 a.m. next Tuesday, proceeds north on Las Vegas Boulevard from Gass to Fremont, then east on Fremont to Seventh, then south to disband and reconvene at the Maxim Hotel.

At the Maxim

There will be a day-long block party Tuesday on the west side of the Maxim's parking lot with food, beverages, souvenirs and entertainment. ... This Sunday at 6 p.m., also at the Maxim, the Sons and Daughters of Erin will hold its annual St. Patrick's Day Dinner-Dance with proceeds going to the various charities for seniors and children, supported year-round.

Equally appreciated by Northern and Southern Ireland is a singer-songwriter who first gained attention in Port Rush, Northern Ireland. ... His name: Roger Whittaker, appearing in the Orleans Hotel through Sunday. ... Make your reservations early.

Dave Coady's Irish Express will play the Orleans, noon-5:30 p.m., Friday through Tuesday, and the Stardust Lounge in the evenings. ... Look for Marjie Delaney (no relation) to perform at the block party. ... Brendan Boyer & the Irish Show Band play NYC's Plaza Hotel Tuesday.

Re B.B. King

LV resident B.B. King's "Deuces Wild," a duets album, made its debut at No. 1 on Billboard Magazine's Blues Chart, stayed there 13 weeks before being replaced by the "Blues Brothers 2000" soundtrack album, featuring B.B. King. ... Van Morrison, Tracy Chapman, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Dr. John, The Rolling Stones, Joe Cocker and Willie Nelson do duets with the Bossman of the Blues on the "Deuces Wild" CD.

King appears in the "Blues Brother 2000" film as the leader of the Louisiana Gator Boys, which includes Gary U.S. Bonds, Bo Diddley, Jon Faddis, Isaac Hayes, Dr. John, Billy Preston, Lou Rawls, Joshua Redman, Koko Taylor, Travis Tritt, Jimmie Vaughan, Grover Washington Jr. and Steve Winwood.

Right after we pointed out that it was Joe Williams singing "Sunny Side of the Street" on the local Summerlin commercials, it was changed to Lou Rawls, using the same musical background.

Star-policy rundown

It's Louie Anderson (Bally's); Wynonna-Maryellen Hooper (Caesars); Kenny Kerr (Debbie Reynolds Hotel); Patsy Cline Tribute (Gold Coast); Gladys Knight (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); Roger Whittaker (Orleans); and Danny Gans (Rio). ... Andrew "Dice" Clay performs at 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday at Bally's.

Mario & Daniel, the funniest comedy team in the business today, equally at home and equally funny in more than one language, are headlining through Sunday at Harrah's Improv. ... Another column comedy favorite, Kip Addotta, tops the Riviera Comedy Club bill this week.

The ubiquitous and indefatigable Treniers are in the Orleans Lounge through Sunday. ... Monday, in the Orleans Hotel showroom, they celebrate their 50th anniversary in show business. ... It should be an entertaining, nostalgic evening; please join us.

Thursday addenda

Shakespeare's "As You like It" opens tonight for two weekends, UNLV's Judy Bayley Theatre. ... "Bleacher Bums" opens Friday, CCSN Cheyenne Campus's Black Box Theatre. ... Friday night jazz: Marv Koral's All-Stars are at Brittany's and Irv Kluger & Co. at Pogo's. ... LV Youth Camerata Orchestra Concert is 2 p.m. Saturday (Winchester Community Center).

Tim McGraw's '98 Tour plays Buffalo Bill's Star of the Desert Arena, 8 p.m. Saturday. ... The U.S. Navy Band performs, free at 7:30 p.m., UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall. ... See you Friday.