By Karen Daly
Irish American Writers & Artists’ November salon packed the private room at The Ellington restaurant on Broadway and 105th Street. Writer Anthony Murphy (call him “Murph”) organized and hosted a terrific, diverse program of poetry, storytelling, fiction and music.
Photo by Eamonn McKay
Photo by Logan Reyes
Two of our writers had personal stories set on hot summer days. Mike Veve recounted an incident on the subway heading downtown from Inwood. “Such A Lovely Face” is an appreciation of his uptown neighborhood – and distinctly urban story, when a kid on the train menaces his companion.
Brigid Moynahan’s “On Ballston Beach” happened on a lovely day on Cape Cod. Her daughter Lucia, then just four years old, was having a meltdown when they encounter another mother and child from Lucia’s preschool class, the mother seemingly a “perfect mom.”
Photo by John Kwok
Proud to report that the online MuseLetter of his poems, essays, reviews, and illustrations has completed its 20th year, Ron Vazzano shared some of that work. “Trains, A Christmas Story” captures his childhood desire for an electric train set. Ron’s “I Keep A Journal” has this wisdom: the journal is “in lieu of keepsakes.”
Writer and editor Suzanne McConnell read from her novel, Fence of Earth. A young woman is in speech class at a California University on November 22, 1963, when they hear that President Kennedy had been shot and the gorgeous California sun makes the dark news hard to fathom. More from Suzanne: Pity the Reader: On Writing with Style by Kurt Vonnegut and Suzanne McConnell.
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Photo by Logan Reyes
Photo by Eamonn McKay
An actor/singer, Daniel Harnett showed his unique comic talent performing a routine about birds fighting—which our cerebral host Murph likens to Beckett. Daniel read from his journals filled with free association and wordplay.
Melanie Beth Curran’s mission is recovering “weird old Irish or Irish American songs.” In fact, she’s a scholar/songwriter inspired by the traditional music of America, Ireland and Brittany. Melanie sang a 1930s song “Don’t Judge A Man by the Clothes He Wears” and an original one she authored in that eccentric style.
Photo by Courtney Fox
Photo courtesy of the artist
Margaret McCarthy read from her brand-new collection In the Becoming: Poems on the Deirdre Story (Broadstone Books), which presents Ireland’s mythological heroine in her own voice. Critics note not only her “exquisite imagery” but that in Margaret’s hand, Deirdre (of the Sorrows) “…once a victim, (is) now a seeker…”
Thom Molyneaux is a seasoned actor, director, playwright, teacher and critic. His play The Women of Kilmainham was part of the 2024 Origin’s 1st Irish Festival. Tonight, he gave us a taste of his solo show about iconic monologues: Chaucer, Williams, Shakespeare. Thom offered inspiration from Arthur O’Shaughnessy’s “Ode” (1873):
“We are the music makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams…”
Photo by John Kwok
John McDonagh, noted storyteller, host on WBAI Radio and creator of the solo show, Off the Meter, performed here and in Ireland, updated a story from his NYC cab driving days. Years ago, he accepted an IOU for two pints in a Dublin bar, becoming briefly famous…
Annalisa Chamberlain an actor in television, independent films and theater, (2024 1st Irish Festival; the Friel Project at the Irish Repertory) is blessed with a beautiful voice. She sang two original, personal songs, tentatively called “Wild Child” and “Come Away.” Her a capella performance brought the night to a perfect close.
Our Holiday Salon will be Monday, December 16, 7:00PM at The Ellington. For updates, please check the website.