Special to Dorchester Banner/Cambridge Main Street
Tropidelic will headline Paddy on Poplar, a unique St. Patrick’s Day event in downtown Cambridge on March 12 from noon until 5 p.m. “I’m sure there will be plenty of green clothes, maybe a leprechaun,” says Main Street Director Brandon Hesson.[/caption] CAMBRIDGE — A lot of towns have St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, and most keep them confined indoors as separate restaurant promotions. On March 12, Cambridge Main Street and local businesses will work together to move away from cabbage soup and green beer, offering a unique musical experience featuring touring Reggae-Rock band Tropidelic. Paddy on Poplar is free to the public, and will take place on Poplar Street from noon until 5 p.m. While food and beer will be part of the celebration, the focus is on establishing new and unique traditions. “I’m sure there will be plenty of green clothes, maybe a leprechaun, hopefully a pot of gold, but you don’t leave the house for that kind of thing,” said Cambridge Main Street Executive Director Brandon Hesson, before explaining the importance of collaboration with local businesses, like RAR Brewing and Jimmie & Sook’s Raw Bar and Grill, which sponsored the entertainment for Paddy on Poplar. “Businesses that grow and evolve within our community really are the best possible partners for an event like this, where you are challenging convention. “People that live in the city know that it will be a great time, because it is being put together by their friends and neighbors,” he continued. “But we also want people across the entire Eastern Shore to know that if they roll out of bed uninspired by their plans for the day, we’ve got the show they are looking for and we’re only a short drive away.” Tropidelic stands out in the crowded Reggae-Rock genre by embedding Ska and Dub, with thick influences from Funk and Modern Rock. The Press of Atlantic City described these Cleveland-based party starters as breaking, “all the barriers to embrace this unique genre.” Cleveland Scene summed up a Tropidelic show by writing, “We all love a party here in Cleveland, and Tropidelic’s brand of reggae-infused jams turns any night at a bar on our mean streets into an equatorial beach bash. You like dancing? You’ve got it.” Tropidelic will be stopping in Cambridge on its way to an evening show in Hanover, Pa. with the energetic trio Higher Education, which will open the entertainment at Paddy on Poplar. Higher Education has played extensively in the D.C. Metro area, including The Fillmore and Rams Head Live, sharing the stage with national acts like The Flobots, Authority Zero and Mike Pinto.