Out & About

Can you believe that summer is almost over and boy was it a hot one.

Now we're back to the grind stone if that is what you want to call it.

This week and last, the Republicans and Democrats have been telling us all how they are going to make our life much better. Of course they can... how can it get worse as we are at rock bottom and up is the only way now! Who do they think they are kidding? We Irish who came over to this great country for nothing else only to work can show you how to do it... maybe that is why they are not letting us in anymore?

Because we know to much.... Hmm, I'll have to think about that.

Yes they are on the way, The Young Dubliners that is, who will be playing at Webster Hall (125 East 11th Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues) on Wednesday September 19th so do not miss them.

The Brooklyn Irish American Parade Committee and Our Lady of Knock Division #9 LAOH will be holding their 2012 Irish Heritage Trail and Irish Patriots Day on Saturday, September 8 at Brooklyn's historic Green Wood Cemetery (at 5th Avenue and 25th Street).

They'll be highlighting the intertwined histories of Ireland and America in civic, historic and patriotic events starting at 12pm with a Mass in Green Wood's chapel for Irish Patriots and Irish Korean War Veterans.

For more information please call (718) 499-9482 or visit their website at brooklynpatricksparade.com.

The 1st Irish Festival is a well-curated festival that brings together the best in new theatre by contemporary Irish playwrights -- in productions from Ireland and the US.

This year, as they celebrate our fifth year, the Festival broadens its scope by presenting more events that explore the impact and interplay of other media on and in the theatre. Check out Gwen Orel's preview of this years festival on pages 16 and 17 of this week's newspaper.

Make sure that you don't forget that the town of Waterford, New York is hosting its annual Tugboat Roundup this weekend.

For more information go to tugboatroundup.com and check out our reprint of their schedule on page 7.

See Off-Broadway's best shows for only $20 each from September 4 through 23. 20at20 is a bi-annual celebration of New York's best shows, in the tradition of Restaurant Week!

For twenty days only, participating Off-Broadway shows will offer tickets for only $20!

Beginning Tuesday, September 4 and continuing through Sunday, September 23, over 20 shows will offer seats available for only $20 when purchased at the box office, twenty minutes before show time. (Cash only at some venues; subject to availability)

Here's your chance to catch up with shows you may have missed, get a sneak peek at the next hit, or revisit a favorite - all for only $20!

And since Off-Broadway has performances to fit everyone's schedule, you can see more than one!

Where else can you see five shows in a day, for less than the price of ONE BROADWAY TICKET?!

For more information, visit 20at20.com.

Now here is something that I promised to a nice lady, Francoise Shirley, who sent me a bottle of Exclusiv Vodka and let me tell you it tastes nice so I promised I would give it a bit of a whirl.

This particular bottle is the Exclusiv Rosé Vodka, a raspberry vodka made with Moscato Rosé wine.

Every now and then a truly spectacular and groundbreaking product hits the market.

That time is now, thanks to the brilliant creators at Exclusiv Vodka who've brough you the Exclusiv Rosé Vodka; Raspberry Vodka made with Moscato Rose Wine.

With its light rosé color and a slight aroma of moscato, wine and berries, Exclusiv Rosé Vodka is the only vodka of its kind.

This revolutionary spirit is 64 proof, 32% ABV, and very smooth and pleasant with a light aftertaste of sweet wine.

Its price is also aligned with the rest of the Exclusiv Vodka family- $9.99 for 750 mL, $12.99 for a Liter, and $19.99 for 1.75 Liters.

Likewise, with Exclusiv's deep history in Moldova, a country known for producing among the highest quality Eastern European spirits, Exclusiv Rosé has been described as the "spirit of Moldova in a bottle" by Serge Chistov, President of Serge Imports LLC, the company responsible for bringing the Exclusiv brand to the US.

Moldova, a country that gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, celebrates its Russian heritage by using the highest standards for the production of its vodka.

Exclusiv Vodka is truly a world-class vodka and is made with only the highest quality winter wheat and the finest distilling processes, giving it a sweeter, more polished taste without polishing techniques, just like the members of high society preferred over the course of history.

By bringing together it's roots in vodka and it's tradition in wine; this infusion is destined to be a classic.

According to Chistov, Exclusiv Rosé Vodka can be enjoyed as a stand alone drink on the rocks or straight up, however, fans of the popular beverage line may also blend the refreshing vodka with their favorite mixer to create a drink all their own.

"We are very excited to see if the public will find a way to use Exclusiv Rosé as a mixer to compliment its taste," said Serge Chistov.

"It's a very versatile drink that can be enjoyed on its own or combined other mixers. The flavor lends itself well to countless possibilities."

Exclusiv Vodka also won nine prestigious awards that place it in the same caliber of today's most expensive top-shelf vodkas, yet did so at a pricepoint of $13.99 or less.

For example, the vodka won a coveted Double Gold Medal in the 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, as well as a Silver Medal in the 2011 LA Wine and Spirits Competition.

Likewise, Exclusiv Vodka recently received an exceptional 91-point rating from the Beverage Tasting Institute. Now how about that?

Catch the best of Irish short films and music with The Mighty Stef at the Wee Craic!

Fans, friends and followers of The Craic Festival don't have to wait til March to get their fix of the best of Irish short films and music, as the Wee Craic returns on Friday September 21.

Short films will be screening at Arlene's Grocery on 95 Stanton Street in the heart of the Lower East Side, followed by a rocking after party with Dublin's finest The Mighty Stef at R Bar over at 218 Bowery.

This year marks the thirteenth annual Wee Craic, presented by Tullamore Dew Whiskey.

The night starts at Arlene's with The Best of Irish Shorts screening at 7pm. Expect to see specially selected shorts from the award-winners at last month's world-famous Galway Film Fleadh (Bird Food, Thin Ice and Pet Hate to name a few) together with some recent Oscar nominated shorts.

So bring along some friends, make some new ones, open your eyes to some of Ireland's best short film, and enjoy music and drinks afterwards. It's all part of the Craic!

For more information contact Lucy Healy Kelly at (646) 549-1349 or visit thecraicfest.com.

Advance tickets can be obtained at ticketweb.com.

See you all next week.