For many people in New York City, the closest to being ecologically conscious is going to see the B-52's on Earth Day in Central Park. There were more beer bottles left on the grass that day than there was during the entire year before it, but hey, who's counting. If nothing else these days, 'green' is definitely the color of the month.

Well New York's own self-styled "Eco-Saloon," Wetlands, is the place for all you greens to go. The walls are cluttered with fliers and posters from various environmental groups, and a giant Volkswagen bug parked inside the bar has been converted into a vending stand for all your ecological fashion needs: T-shirts, seashell earrings, etc. Downstairs there's a lounge that's so dark you'd easily trip over the heads who're just hangin' loose, sitting on eastern-patterned cushions on the floor. Word is that even the disinfectant goop they use to mop the floor with is all natural.

This Sunday at 9 p.m. then is the perfect time to check out the action, as Wetlands will play host to semi-regulars Shaman. This is a six-member local band which set their environmentally-conscious songs against traditional Irish music. (Shaman also plays elsewhere now and then, with occasional gigs in the Phoenix on 204th Street in The Bronx).

It's not strictly Irish however as the string section cooks up a nice blend of Middle Eastern and European gypsy music. "We play all kinds of world folk music," they announced from the stage that night. "We like to call it Earth Music."

The club advertises the show as 'Celtic Hippie Dancing', and that's exactly what goes on. The last time the band played Wetlands, before Christmas, was true to the advertising. There were a couple hundred barefoot and tie-dye wearing hippies, most of whom were probably born after Woodstock, dancing up a storm on the club's big floor. This is straight out of the Grateful Dead school of dance, in which people with absolutely no coordination, but with the proper attitude, can look like a million bucks. It's easy and it's a lot of fun.

Shaman's music is spirited traditional jigs and reels, and of course the lyrics filled with grass and trees and whales and the like. Even if you don't care if your tuna is dolphin-safe or not, this is certainly a good time. Definitely something different anyway.