By Paddy McCarthy
How is everybody doing? Not to good right now I presume as Coronavirus is still with us and that is sad. As you all know I enjoy being Out&About and that has not happened for the past eight weeks and that is not good either. I am as frustrated just like everybody else because I want to be out and greet everyone I meet.
I did hear some sad news that a few Irish bars and restaurants have closed here in New York because of this epidemic and, with no help from landlords they had no other choice. When I say no help, they have to still pay their rents, taxes and other overheads that all mount up. I hate to be the Debby downer on this as most of them are friends who have worked so hard to make these establishments viable that is also their livelihood, I am also not going to name them. I never thought I would see the day that this could happen, especially in the biggest city in the world – New York – it’s on a f…… standstill, sorry about that but it affects everyone. So, would you blame me.
Now back to some news that might cheer you up. Next weekend the Martin McGuinness Peace Foundation is organizing a tribute to the late Martin McGuinness on his 70th birthday, RIP.
One of Ireland’s most talented folk singers who now lives here in New York, Mary Courtney will be included in the tribute for the late Chieftain Martin McGuinness who I had the pleasure to meet on many an occasion when he visited New York. Mary will be singing Danny Hannon’s great composition entitled “Mandela”, wow now, that is something to look forward to, right?
‘Remembering Martin McGuinness on his 70t. Birthday – an Evening of Stories, Song & Music’ will take place this Saturday, May 23 at 7pm. The evening will be streamed live on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Christy Moore, Matt Molloy and Damien Dempsey will join Mary Courtney alongside other leading figures in music and in politics.
Spokesperson Paul Kavanagh said it would be a special and poignant tribute. He commented: “Obviously the way many of us carry out events of remembrance and celebration have had to change because of the Covid-19 crisis, and we are no different.
“The Chieftains Walk, which is also organized in memory of Martin, had to be postponed but I know the organizing committee are very grateful to everyone who continues to register to take part when the walk is rescheduled.
“Similarly, we have rethought how we intend to mark what would have been Martin’s 70th birthday on May 23. I am delighted to confirm that we will now be holding a very special and poignant night of music, tribute and recollection, which will be streamed online.
“The event will feature musical performances from huge acts including Christy Moore and Damien Dempsey, New York singer Mary Courtney, acclaimed flautist Matt Molloy and a very special rendition from Martin’s granddaughter Cara McGuinness.
“A host of other talented performers from Derry and further afield will also be taking part in what promises to be an incredible line-up.”
As I said, with Christy Moore, Matt Molloy, Damien Dempsey and Mary Courtney among the artists performing you should make sure you tune in for this beautiful tribuite.
I have just received a note from The Irish Repertory Theatre and it said, “Last week we presented our first full digital production – Brian Friel’s Molly Sweeney, directed by Charlotte Moore, and starring Geraldine Hughes, Paul O’Brien and Ciarán O’Reilly. We were delighted by the incredible response it received from audiences and critics alike, with Terry Teachout writing in The Wall Street Journal that Molly Sweeney “sets a new standard for what online theater can and should aspire to be.”
:Although Molly Sweeney’s run has closed, we are excited to share that we are currently hard at work to develop and expand our digital programming – keep an eye out for some exciting updates coming soon!
“In the meantime, our online programming continues with our #IRTMeettheMakers series and the ongoing #TheShowMustGoOnline! Be sure to follow us on social media so you don’t miss a thing.
Coming up this week you have (on Thursday, May 21 at 1pm) Meet the Makers: The Dead, 1904 goes live! A conversation with co-adaptor and producer Jean Hanff Korelitz, producer Nina Korelitz, co-adaptor Paul Muldoon, Great Performances Catering Founder and CEO Liz Neumark, and director Ciarán O’Reilly.
You can check out their videos at youtube.com/IrishRep or at irishrep.org.
That’s it for this week and I hope to see you all again WHEN I am Out&About again…