By Paddy McCarthy
I was out and about last Thursday and I was invited to hear the leader of Sinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald speak at the New York City Bar Association’s Council on International Affairs. It was part of a series of meetings that she had with officials in the US. She outlined Ireland’s position going forward with the Brexit agenda and Ireland’s close relations with the United States of America. She made a lot of good points; one was about how Ireland has changed on how it is changing with the new generation that has changed from the old order which has new horizons with new opportunities.
I did visit a couple of Irish bars and restaurants this week, including M. J. Smith’s on 45th Street, Stout on 33rd Street and the Pig’N’Whistle on 36th Street as I was headed to Origin Theatre Company’s Gala Dinner that was held at the Manhattan Penthouse (80 Fifth Avenue, at 14th Street). The Guests of Honor were George C. Heslin who received the Origin Theatre Company’s 2021 Artistic Leadership Award and Audrea Haughian who received the 2021 Tom Moran Business to Arts Award.
George, Origin Theatre Company’s founding artistic director boasts a resume that has crisscrossed the globe. His tenure with Origin laid a foundation for introducing the works of countless writers from all over Europe (including over 150 Irish playwrights) to New York audiences for the first time. Through his visionary Origin 1st Irish Theatre Festival, he also forged unique international partnerships with over 80 Irish organizations, giving them entry to New York’s network of Off and Off- Off-Broadway theatres as well as its sizable diaspora theater community. Adding to this curatorial and producing mandate, George founded Origin’s European Month of Culture in 2018.
Audrea is a highly regarded business executive and expert in Foreign Direct Investment, who has been instrumental in helping to transform Northern Ireland’s business landscape following the historic return of a Devolved government. While working alongside some of the most recognizable corporations in the US, Andrea showcased the talents of home-grown companies and innovators while enabling entrepreneurs to connect with advocates and influencers in the challenging US market. Andrea is also a strong advocate for the advancement of women, and the promotion of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
I was invited by the man that filled George Heslin’s shoes and is doing a very nice job too, and that is none other than their new artistic director Michael Mellamphy and what a blast it was, well somebody has to do it!
Now still at the theatre, here is some more talent I have to let you in on and why not? The Opera Hour is going to be a night of enchanting opera at Saint John’s in the Village, downtown New York City. It will have excerpts from Tosca, Madame Butterfly, plus more. Music direction is by Brian Holman and features, all the way from Dublin, Ireland, soprano Eilin O’Dea and world-famous tenor Byron Singleton. The Opera is this Saturday, December 11 from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm. Take a thrilling operatic journey with semi-staged duets and arias from Verdi’s Aida, Puccini’s Tosca and Madame Butterfly. Buy tickets from www.eventbrite.com/e/the-opera-hour-tickets-198268385077?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.
Eilin O’Dea is an Irish soprano/actress who is dual trained, graduating from the LIR Academy, Trinity College, Dublin as well as the Conservatory of Music, Dublin. Eilin has performed as a Soprano in both Concert and operatic forums. She has been guest Soprano at St George’s Hall (UK) at American Irish Historical Society, (New York) and Mansion House (Dublin). Among her favorite operatic roles are Tosca (Puccini) Madame Butterfly (Puccini) Aida (Verdi) and Leonora (Verdi). Eilin has performed as a theatrical actress all over the world best known for her ground breaking interpretation of James Joyce’s Molly Bloom, a role she has performed to critical acclaim for the past decade most recently at Symphony Space, Broadway.
American conductor Brian Holman has performed on four continents to great acclaim. So do not miss out on this operatic performance, you will not be disappointed believe me.
The Friendly Sons of St Patrick, Long Island’s Annual Christmas Party will take place on Thursday, December 9th from 6:30 to10:30 pm at The Carltun at Eisenhower Park. This year spouses and guests are welcome and the event will cap at 100. Tickets are $70 per person, or a table of ten for $650. If you haven’t already done so, they encourage you to visit their website at www.fsspli.org to purchase your ticket(s) in advance. For further information contact John Powers by email at johnpowerslaw@yahoo.com.
The United Irish Counties Association of New York Inc. has announced their 117th Annual Dinner Dance will be held on Friday, January 28th, 2022, at Antun’s, located at 96-43 Springfield Boulevard, Queens Village, NY. This year’s festive occasion will begin with a deluxe cocktail hour at 7:30 pm followed by dinner and dancing from 8:30 pm to 12:30 am to the music of Rumor Has It. Tickets are $100 per person or a table of ten for $1,000.
They have announced that their ‘Gael of the Year’ is Joseph Kenny. A native New Yorker with roots in Counties Longford and Tyrone, Joe is an Assistant Chief with the New York City Police Department.
The recipient of this year’s Rose Cosgrove Distinguished Service Award is Catherine T. Hogan. Bronx born and bred, Cathy is extremely proud of her Irish roots; her dad was a native of County Clare and her maternal grandparents, County Galway. You can reserve you tickets by emailing Reservations@gmail.com.
Here is another Christmas event that is happening soon, the Irish Business Organization of New York’s Christmas Party. It’s all happening on Wednesday December 15th at 6.30 pm with food, an open bar, live music, 50-50raffle and more. I am told it will be at St. Pat’s Bar and Grill (22 West 46th Street) on the 3rd floor with a private bar. The floor is also elevator accessible.
I think I covered a lot this week as I was Out&About and let me tell yea I love it. See you all next week when I am Out&About again…