According to legend, St. Patrick single-handedly drove the snakes from Ireland. Later, he would re-establish his prowess by annually turning the Chicago river green. Now, the patron saint of Ireland readies to perform another of his signature conversions – transforming the familiar Maintenance Shop into an Irish pub.

Wednesday night, the multicultural committee of the Student Union Board will bring a little piece of Ireland to the M-Shop.

Festivities will start with a presentation on Irish history, followed by a session performance from the Beggarmen, an Iowa-based Irish folk band. The event is being promoted as a pre-St. Patrick’s Day party. However, Benjamin Bragg, senior in history and event coordinator, said the focus is to create a more relaxed, dignified look at Irish culture.

“I don’t think many people know much about Ireland,” Bragg said.

“They just know that is where they came from and some of the music and things like that.”

One way the event will try to create authenticity is hosting a traditional Irish session. A session, said Beggarmen guitarist Keith Reins, is an informal gathering of musicians, usually held at the local pub.

The session will feature jigs and ballads from members of the Beggarmen, as well as other local Irish folk music enthusiasts.

“The thing that will be different here is that we all know each other,” Reins said. “At an actual session you might play with people you don’t even know, but you have the common language of music.”

Irish culture may not seem like standard fare for a multicultural event, but Bragg said he wanted to address a culture with intimate connections to many students.

“Irish is a culture, too, and I think there are a lot of people at this university from that background,” Bragg said.

On St. Patrick’s Day, folk wisdom has it that everyone is at least a little Irish.

Reins said the Irish music, like the holiday itself, has a strong sense of community and inclusion.

“The ideal in Irish music is to play the same notes together. In some types of music, there is more of an emphasis on the individual,” Reins said. “People who play Irish music – they love the company of their compatriots as much as the music itself.”

Playing an instrument is not essential to joining in the atmosphere. Reins said the band appreciates any kind of reciprocation from the crowd, but they especially look for audience members to get up on their feet.

“Even people who don’t know the traditional jigs and reels might spontaneously get up and dance,” he said.

Enthusiasm is the most prized audience response. Reins said, however, another familiar reaction is inquisitiveness.

“People are curious about the instruments,” Reins said. “We try to tell them a little bit about the history of the music and the instruments whenever they have an interest.”

Although the pre-St. Patrick’s Day show will provide a good stretching of the party muscles before Spring Break, Bragg said the emphasis is a fun alternative to stereotypical St. Patrick’s Day excess.

“Next Friday, everybody is going to be at the bars getting way too drunk.” Bragg said. “Why not come out and learn what it’s really about?”