Ireland's 'Once' set for The Varsity

CARBONDALE - Area residents will have a chance to get their Irish on with a St. Patrick's Day screening of "Once" at The Varsity. Tickets are $5, and the bar will be serving Irish beer and other drinks.

On Saturday, March 17, the downtown venue will screen the 2007 Irish film, a modern-day romantic musical set on the streets of Dublin, Ireland.

Featuring Glen Hansard and his Irish band, The Frames, "Once" tells the story of a street musician and a Czech immigrant (Markéta Irglová) during an eventful week as they write, rehearse and record songs that reveal their love story. Hansard and Irglová had previously performed music as the Swell Season, and they composed and performed the film's original songs.

"Falling Slowly" won the 2008 Academy Award for Best Original Song, and the soundtrack received a Grammy Award nomination. The film was also a commercial and critical success in Europe and in the U.S. and received numerous awards, including the 2007 Independent Spirit Award for Best Foreign Film.

"Once," which is rated R for language, starts at 7:30 p.m., plenty of time to get you out for more celebrating later in the evening. Doors and the bar open at 7. The bar will feature Irish and other beers, select cocktails, wine, soda, spiked coffee and snacks. Tickets are available in advance at www.varsitycenter.org. They also will be available at the door after 7 the night of the screening.

The Varsity is downtown at 418 S. Illinois Ave. To keep up with all upcoming events, go to www.facebook.com/varsitycenter.