I want to congratulate the Veterans Day Parade organizers in New York City for putting on one of the finest parades and celebrating their 100 year anniversary.
The weather could not have been better for the day as the sun was shining for all the veterans that were marching up Fifth Avenue and for everybody, from all the families to the volunteers who turned out to honor them, we thank you all here at The Irish Examiner USA.
I was Out&About last week and I went to the very well run fundraiser for the HOPE Foundation that is headed by the one and only Mary Reed. It was held at a very lovely lady’s house on 66th Street in Manhattan and her name is Gloria Kins. I have to tell you that Gloria has been a strong supporter of everything Irish and I am so proud of her because she never asks for anything in return; so we all thank you so much Gloria.
I want to tell you also that Gloria Starr Kins is Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of the Society & Diplomatic Review and a UN Correspondent.
Talking about Out&About I will have be attending the Ireland US Council’s 57th Annual Dinner this Wednesday at the Metropolitan Club on 60th Street in Manhattan who are honoring the very worthy Denis O’Brien.
Friends of Dublin Football (NY) is hosting a five-in-a-row victory celebration with the Dublin GAA Football Team this Friday (November 15) at Tito Murphy’s (346 West 46th Street) from 8pm.
Their Guests of Honor are Jim Gavin, the “Sam Maguire” and the Dublin GAA Football Team and the Honorees are Austin Welsh, Vince Tyer and Eamonn Cullen. Tickets are $120 and include dinner, a 4-hr open bar and live music, now where would yea get all that and the Cup too.
I have to tell that one of the biggest concerts to happen before Christmas is happening at the NYCB Theatre at Westbury (960 Brush Hollow Rd in Westbury) and that is The Irish Tenors featuring Ronan Tynan, Anthony Kearns and Declan Kelly on Saturday, December 14.
What a line up! The cream of Irish talent which is not to be missed, so much so that I will be there, For tickets, and I know they will be gone fast, call (800) 854-2196. You also have a chance of winning a free pair of tickets by using the form on page 10 of this issue of the newspaper of applying online at irishexaminerusa.com.
The Irish Repertory Theatre, in association with the Wexford Arts Centre, will be presenting the US premiere of The Scourge, written & performed by Michelle Dooley Mahon (The Eff Word), and directed by Ben Barnes (Madama Butterfly).
The Scourge begins performances in the W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre (132 West 22nd Street) on January 22, 2020, with opening night set for January 23, for a limited run through February 2, 2020. The Scourge is an official selection of the 2020 Origin 1st Irish Theatre Festival. Tickets are available now from irishrep.org.
Now here is another theater experience that is also happening at The Irish Rep, called PUMPGIRL and it all starts like this: In a gas station in Northern Ireland, barely north of the border, Pumpgirl gets few customers beyond lecherous men and cruel women who remark on her tomboyish appearance. Otherwise guarded, she has struck up a friendship with “no helmet Hammy” – an amateur stock-car racer who prefers to spend time with his unsavory buddies over his wife and children.
As Hammy’s wife, Sinead, stays home alone, she simmers with rage over her isolated, disappointing existence. On Hammy’s birthday, their lives become perilously intertwined, leaving them face-to-face with a desperate future.
Irish Repertory Theatre is presenting this heartwrenching original story of rural life in Northern Ireland by Abbie Spallen, a multi-award winning Irish playwright making her Irish Rep debut.
Originally presented by the Bush Theatre, Pumpgirl premiered in 2006 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and made its New York debut at Manhattan Theatre Club in 2007. It won the 2007 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, the Stewart Parker Trust Award, and was nominated for the Irish Times Best New Play.
I love telling you about shows that I know you will like so go out and buy your tickets now.
I will end on a sad note though, as I have to report the passing of one of Ireland great talented actors, Niall Toibin, who has died after a long illness. Niall was born on the southside of Cork city in Friars’ Walk. He was raised with Irish and has used the language in his professional career, notably in the film Poitín. His siblings include Siobhán, Tomás (a poet), Deaglán, Filmin, Góbnait and Colm Tóibín. Rest in peace.
See you all again next week when I am Out&About once more.