St. Patrick's Day may be over, but anytime is a good time to spend an evening listening to Irish music.

The internationally known Brock McGuire Band will return to the Tamaqua Community Art Center at 7 p.m. April 23, one of the special events planned for the month.Steeped in Irish tradition, the Brock McGuire Band features Moving Cloud founding members Paul Brock and Manus McGuire, who both hail from County Clare, as its frontmen. Brock and McGuire are two of Ireland's most celebrated traditional musicians, having been at the forefront of Irish music for many years through their joint work with Moving Cloud. They are joined by Dublin based Garry O'Meara and Denis Carey of Newport, County Tipperary.While their music emphasizes mostly Irish songs and melodies, there is also a sprinkling of impressive arrangements of American Old Time, Bluegrass, French Canadian and other Celtic traditions. Their newest CD, "Green Grass, Blue Grass," is a collaboration with 14 time Grammy Award winner Ricky Skaggs.The band has also made appearances in Nashville, Baltimore, New York City and Washington, D.C.Also appearing at the art center in April is Lester Hirsh, a musician and poet for more than 40 years. A former resident of Shenandoah, Hirsch's music includes original compositions, standards, instrumentals, folk, country and popular offerings. His concert will be at 7 p.m. April 16.PotteryThe month starts off with two special events on Saturday.The Empty Bowl Pottery Making Event will begin at 9 a.m. Free to the public, this is a chance to learn the art of pottery while helping the less fortunate. Bowls created during the three classes (Saturday, April 9 and April 23) will be sold at the Empty Bowl Dinner on May 15, as part of Tamaqua's Hunger Walk Weekend.First SaturdayA First Saturday Celebration, presented by The Seed House, will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday. The evening will include a dinner, catered by Chef Quintana, and a show. Special guests will include "This Way to the Egress."The Bucket List Book Club will meet at 7 p.m. on April 6. This month's selection will be "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury. The book club is free and welcomes new members.Pierogie makingA Pierogie Making Workshop will be held at 1:30 p.m. April 9. Bring your own rolling pin and dough sheet, but all other ingredients and tools will be supplied.A Pick and Paint Ceramic Workshop will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. April 13. Participants will be able to select either four small pieces, two medium pieces or one large piece to paint.Creative eats for children will be held at 10 a.m. on April 16. All supplies will be included. Each child will receive a Pampered Chef Cut N Seal to take home. April's food items will be "monkey sandwiches and banana sushi."An acrylic painting workshop will be held from 6-8 p.m. April 21 and a felted fabric workshop will be held from 1-3 p.m. April 30.Music and moreMondays are busy with Music Together sessions for young children and their parents at 10 a.m.; clay pottery, mosaic and yoga classes all at 6 p.m.' and Coal Cracker Chorus rehearsals at 7:30 p.m. Rehearsals for the May performances of "Cinderella" are also underway.Mosaic art classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 p.m.Harmonica classes are held at noon every Wednesday.On Thursdays, pottery/ceramic classes and the LOL Writers' Group meet at 6 p.m. Kids' art classes will be held at 6 p.m. April 7 and April 21.Fridays feature yarn classes at 9 a.m.Saturdays are kept busy with guitar lessons at 9 a.m. and sculpture and pottery classes at 11 a.m.The art center is located at 125 Pine St. in Tamaqua.For more information on any of the activities, some of which require preregistration and a fee, call 570-668-1192.