Tuesday’s miserable weather didn’t keep the hard core from attending the fourth Irish American Writers and Artists’ Salon. Peter Quinn lead off the evening. Peter reminded all that the Third Annual Eugene O’Neill Lifetime Achievement Award Cocktail Reception, honoring The Irish Repertory Theatre, will be held on October 17, 6:00 PM, at The Manhattan Club (upstairs at Rosie O’Grady’s) located at 800 7th Ave in Manhattan. Gabriel Byrne will be presenting the award and Malachy McCourt will be hosting the event. It’ll be a craic! For more information and to order tickets visit: IRISH AMERICAN WRITERS AND ARTISTS.
John Lee followed with news of a few of the other Irish cultural events on tap in the area, including the 1st Irish Festival of Theatre (though Oct. 3) now in its fourth year, an exhibit on noted Irish born architect Kevin Roche at the Museum of the City of New York (Sept. 27 through Jan. 23), and Irish Film New York, a weekend of the best in contemporary Irish cinema, opening on Sept. 30 with “Knuckle” a documentary on bare-knuckle boxing in Ireland’s Traveller community, which is being adapted into a dramatic series by HBO.
Kathleen Donohoe began the evening reading from a novel in progress called “You Were Forever,” a novel borne of her family’s experiences in the New York Fire Department.
Honor Molly, with the very able assistance of Paul Vincent Black, performed two riotous scenes from her play “Two Scenes.”
Mary Gannon and Charles Hale followed Honor. Mary read an essay, which was published in the Mississippi Review, “Walking Las Vegas.” I followed with a short story titled “In Passing Years.”
Sarah Fearon, aka Snazzy Peabody, Realtor to the Stars, added some hilarity to the evening with a reading from her play in progress “Air Rights.” I’ll never view New York realtors the same again.
Next up was John Kearns. John read the fourth installment from his novel, “Worlds.” It’s been a pleasure watching this work unfold, week after week.
The evening ended with Malachy McCourt, back from a long stay in Ireland, leading adiscussion on the benefits and successes of the Salon. The Salon, Malachy’s brainchild, allows IAW&A members the opportunity to present in the medium of their choice: a reading from a work in progress, a video, a comedy skit, storytelling or a song, whatever the participant would like to present. The event is meant to be low keyed and that’s exactly what it is, a group of artists gathered to support one another in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere.
And, as he’s done in the past, Malachy ended the proceedings in song, a rousing rendition of “Go Lassie Go.” A grand time was had by all.
The Irish American Writers & Artists’ salons are held on the first Tuesday of each month at The Thalia Café located in Symphony Space on Broadway at 95th Street in Manhattan. For more information on joining the IAW&A or attending the Salons you can contact Charles Hale at chashale1@yahoo.com. The next Salon will be held Oct. 4 at 7 pm.
Insider Tip: Arrive a bit early–The Thalia has Happy Hour deals until 7!