Out & About

What a week I had as last Monday I was at Sidetracks on Queens Boulevard in Sunnyside, Queens for Mary Flannery's birthday party and she said it was her 60th, well she looks half it.

I can tell you again that the Breslin family put on a great night for Mary and well deserved too I might tell yea.

It's amazing when you go to an event like this; you get to meet a lot of friends you have not seen in ages and that's fantastic!

We all know that the Irish Community is getting much smaller and we all know why: it's because of the immigration problem and I wish some of the organizations would stop putting out false hopes just to make a story when it is not true.

I have been saying for a long long time, stop the egos and lets all work together as one and put pressure on all politicians on all sides instead of us looking like fools.

I am so sorry for venting like this as we are tiptoeing around and clapping ourselves on the back for nothing and kissing the a*** of Senators that know nothing, and who are also giving out false hopes while they collect fine big salaries and tell people we can get this visa and that visa and they just goes on and on with a big smile on their faces.

The only way it will work is if the 40 million of the diaspora living here in the United States of America start making noise.

Otherwise we will be in limbo for along long time... and remember we built this country whether they like it or not so come on, start writing to President Obama as time is running out.

After all that I would like to wish Mary Flannery a very Happy Birthday from all here at The Irish Examiner newspaper.

That man Terence Mulligan of the Craic Festival never gives up and he is right too I might tell you.

It is nice to know when he wants the message out about the festival he chooses no other place than this paper.

He could use some more coverage especially for the Friday and Saturday night Gala Films @ Parties @ Tribeca Cinema on March 9 and 10.

He's got the premier of In Sunshire Or In Shadows - the Barry McGuigan documentary) on March 10th at cthe Tribeca Cinema.

There's an after party as well... now he has got my attention!

The festival returns to host the series at the renowned Tribeca Cinemas, and has raised the bar in its fourteenth year.

Keith Weckstein from Tribeca commented: "The Craic Festival has been a major presence in the film and music scene over the past 13 years we look forward to welcoming them back again this year.

"Audiences will be delighted with this year's picks, including (March 8th) opening night with Parked starring Colm Meaney; or the fascinating In Sunshine or In Shadows with former boxing champ Barry McGuigan on closing night (March 10th)".

Parked presents a new challenge for veteran actor Meaney, who plays Fred, a man who returns home to Ireland with nowhere to live but in his car.

In Sunshine or In Shadows tells the true story behind the epic world featherweight title match that took place between Barry McGuigan and Eusebio Pedroza, a now legendary fight that gripped an entire Irish nation on one hot summer's night in 1985.

Friday March 9 is another fun night with the "Best of Irish Shorts" with after party as well.

For the first time this year, The Craic will also feature the Kids Fleadh, to take place on the closing day of the Festival, Saturday March 10 which will present a special program of family-friendly short films and step dancing suitable for kids of all ages, followed by an Irish breakfast for everyone to enjoy!

It's all part of the Craic.

The Craic Festival presents three days of Irish film and music and takes place between March 8th and 10th, at Tribeca Cinemas (film) and Mercury Lounge (music).

Check the full line-up on www.thecraicfest.com!

For further information and detailed shorts films and music line-up please contact Terenece Mulligan on (917) 805-310 or by email to the411@thecraicfest.com or see their website at www.thecraicfest.com

The National Dance Company of Ireland presents Rhythm Of The Dance at The NYCB Theatre at Westbury on Saturday March 3 at 7pm.

Tickets are $39.50 and $19.50 and are available online at www.livenation.com, charge by phone at (800) 745-3000 or at the Westbury box office.

For more information, visit thetheatreatwestbury.com.

For membership visit westburymembership.com.

This two-hour dance and music extravaganza contains a wealth of Irish talent.

The show is an inspiring epic, reliving the journey of the Irish Celts throughout history.

Using modern art forms of dance and music, this richly costumed show marries the contemporary and the ancient.

Combining traditional dance and music with the most up to date stage technology, the show is a thousand year old story executed with all the advantages of the modern day stage show.

Rhythm of the Dance has heralded a new era in Irish entertainment, internationally rated as one of the most popular and busiest Irish step dance shows in the world.

Rhythm of the Dance aspires to a purity content preserving the traditions of Irish step dancing and yet presenting it in the most modern format that has made it a leader in its field.

The show features a live band, three tenors & some 22 dancers.

Be sure to experience Rhythm of the Dance when it performs at the NYCB Theatre at Westbury on March 3. You'll be very glad you did!

Let me tell you as seen on the advert in this paper this is a wonderful family show and is highly recommended and not to be missed and all the way from Ireland; now, what more could you ask for? Only that it's in Long Island and really only a short distance from the city, so come on, bring the family or your boyfriend or girlfriend. I'll see you there.

The Queen's County St Patrick's Day Parade are holding their Annual Queens County Ball on Saturday February 18 at Antun's in Queens Village.

This year's honorees and Grand Marshal of the Queens County St Patrick's Day Parade are selected because of the work on behalf of the Irish community.

Kevin E O'Brien, Vice President and Director of Mission Critical, Gilbane Building Company is their Grand Marshal - "A man with sand in his shoes" and one who has a long family association with Local 638 and the labor movement.

Their Gael of the Year is our very own Paddy McCarthy, a native of Cork City, Ireland and, of course, the publisher of Irish Examiner USA newspaper and Irish Connections magazine; well, how about that then?

Tickets are $100 each and are available in units of ten. There's a full cocktail hour from 8-9pm and dancing and an open bar until 1am. Music by the Celtic Justice Band.

Finally, Happy Valentine's Day to all our friends and don't forget my chocolates!

See you next week...