As mentioned previously, here's the info from the Irish and Celtic Music meetup group's site re: GBS-Pre game festivities.  O'Lunney's is two or three doors down from the Connolly's on 45th street:

Please join us in welcoming Canada's Great Big Sea back to New York for a Friday night performance at the Nokia Theatre in Times Square.

Formed in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1993, Great Big Sea has become known around the world for its own interpretation of Celtic music rooted in the maritime traditions and culture of the Canadian East Coast. The band recently released its ninth album and continues to feature original members Alan Doyle, Bob Hallett and Sean McCann.

Click HERE to check out some of their music on MySpace and HERE to see some videos of them on YouTube.

Halfprice tickets are now available via Goldstar. These tickets are priced from $13.75 for general admission (standing) to $16.25 for reserved seating on the mezzanine level plus service charges. Click HERE to buy these discounted tickets. It does require registration, but it's a pretty simple process that I think is worth your time. I would suggest you buy the general admission tickets if you'd like to take in the show with the rest of the group but if you'd rather sit down and watch it on your own, that's fine too. We'll meet beforehand around the corner at O'Lunney's for drinks and dinner starting around 6 p.m. The show starts at 8 and there should be ample opportunity to meet up afterwards for anyone who's interested.

So come out and get the weekend started right by taking in a concert from a great band with a great bunch of people. And if you're planning to see Gaelic Storm at the Blender Theatre that night instead, please join us at O'Lunney's beforehand just the same. Gaelic Storm starts an hour later, so you'll have plenty of time to get down to Gramercy for that one.