Out & About

I forgot to let you know in my last Out & About that we were going on vacation for a week. The double issue that hit the news stands on on July 26th was a big seller though since we had the late Amy Winehouse on the cover and a great piece on her inside by Mike Fitzpatrick.

Now we are back to the grindstone of work, work, work; well for some of us anyway...

The Irish Examiner newspaper is going from strength to strength right now and it's all thanks to you, our readers. I'd also like to thank all of our supporters and our advertisers. Thanks again!

There's also some news from our sister publication, Irish Connections Magazine, whose Fall edition has just gone to print.

We're very excited with this issue especially the special Tourism Ireland travel section that will show you all the beautiful things about the whole of  Ireland even though there's a recession going on (I am so sure the island of Ireland will pull out of it very soon though).

I met the Big Man himself while I was Our and About... yes, Des O'Brien in full bloom with his, I think, yellow summer shirt.

Rumor has it that something is cooking in the restaurant business as this man never stops; now don't ask me what but something is happening soon, good on ye Des.

I was at Manchester United's All Star game off at the Red Bull arena while we were away, and what a turn out for the game they had! They could have filled the stadium twice over.

One thing about going to a game like this you get to meet a lot of old friends you don't see from one end of the year to the next.

There's more great news and yes, it is in another few months, but I've got to tell you that The Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street) will be presenting the 20th Anniversary production of Brian Friel's Tony Award-winning masterpiece. Dancing at Lughnasa.

Directed by Charlotte Moore, previews will begin October 19 and the production will open on October 30 at the their Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage and run through December 11.

There will be shows at 8pm on Wednesdays through Saturday with 3pm matinees on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets are $55 and $65, and are available by calling (212) 727-2737 or you can get them online at www.irishrep.org.

Charlotte Moore is well known to all our regular readers I'm sure, as she helmed the company's recent productions of Brian Friel's Molly Sweeney, A Child's Christmas in Wales, The Irish... And How They Got That Way, Ernest In Love, White Woman Street and Camelot in Concert at Broadway's Shubert Theatre.

Launching The Irish Repertory Theatre's 24th Season will be the American premiere of the new Irish dance performance piece Noctu, an Eriu Dance Company production, with previews set to begin on September 6, prior to an official press opening on September 11.

This show is choreographed and directed by Riverdance Principal Dancer Breandan de Gallai.

Why am I telling you all this now? Well because they will be hot tickets so I am giving you plenty of notice to go out and get them before they're sold out... Keep it quiet...

Anita Daly emailed me to say I had the wrong date down for the Saw Doctors, who are playing in Westbury on Sunday August 14 at the NYCB Theatre.

You can buy tickets at livenation.com or charge by phone on (800) 745-3000.

Now that should keep her happy I think as I know this show will be a sell out. Are you going? well I am and here is a nice picture of the band.

Do not forget the ribbon cutting to announce the grand opening of the new improvements on the Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk and Queens Center at 297 Willis Avenue in Mineola on Saturday September 24 at 8pm. Donations are $20.

The ceremony will be followed by a society dance. Refreshments will be served and music for the evening will be provided by the Kitty Kelly Band.

This should be a great night as the center is celebrating its 80th Anniversary and the President herself will be on hand, Betty McLoughlin along with Mike Lane and Brendan Kerins.

For more information or reservations call the Center on (516) 746-9392 or (516) 742-8080. Again, I will be there, will you?

See you all next week...