We got very hot days and some rainy days last week and that is okay as it cooled things down a little bit. I tell yea when I was walking around Manhattan on one of the HOT days I think I lost some weight. Ha ha, well I did.
Now that is enough about me here is what is happening Out&About. The Irish Network’s Summer Party was held at Tuttles (735 Second Avenue, between 39th and 40th Streets) and what a great turn out they had. I have to hand it to the organizers, they did a great job. Irish Network USA (IN-USA) is the national umbrella organization integrating the Irish Networks that exist in various cities across the United States.
It allows members of the networks to connect with their peers and to develop relationships that will foster success in their business, economic, cultural and sports ventures.
The mission of IN-USA is to bolster business opportunities and economic development between the United States and Ireland; to support and encourage Irish Arts and Culture through film, literature, theater, dance and language; to encourage and promote the mission and expansion of Irish sports, throughout the United States; to support the efforts of local Irish organizations and associations; to serve as a conduit between newly arrived Irish immigrants and their communities in Member cities and states.
Here is some more news from City Winery. They tell me that they have their final shows next week in their original location, and they’re hitting all the genres! Fans of Irish music will enjoy The High Kings on July 25. Comedy lovers should check out Heather McDonald on July 26, and for those who enjoy their Loft shows we have tribute band The Band on July 28, and folk singer and star of TV series “Nashville” Clare Bowen on July 29 when she will be performing with Imogen Clark. Now where else would yea get it. My advice is that you go and see The High Kings from Dublin as you won’t be disappointed.
They also said that they’re keeping the music going while they build their new home at Pier 57, and they just added another show this week to the City Winery Presents lineup: check out City Winery Presents: Stephen Kellogg @ The Cutting Room on December 4. And in other City Winery news, they’re also launching a pop-up wine garden in Rockefeller Plaza this week! Stop by anytime from 11am to midnight, 7 days a week through autumn for wine on tap, tasty snacks (try the burrata!), and beer from their friends at Montauk Brewing Company. (Weather permitting… nobody likes soggy crostini.) This is one of the most professional organizations that I have ever come across.
The Irish Arts Center has announced its Fall 2019 Season whose highlights include the 2019 Spirit of Ireland Gala Honoring Elvis Costello (October 18), David Keenan performs in residence with an eight-piece ensemble (October 22-25) and the 11th Annual Poetry Fest, curated by Nick Laird, which will pair acclaimed poets in exhilarating readings across the weekend of November 1-3, and features a special tribute to Seamus Heaney.
Pianist Isabelle O’Connell will perform a Repertoire of 20th and 21st Century Music by Irish Composers (November 7), there’s a celebration of legendary author Edna O’Brien, co-presented with Symphony Space in association with PEN America (November 13) and Irish dance artist Colin Dunne’s Solo Performance Concert, co-presented with Baryshnikov Arts Center, confronting virtuoso Irish fiddle player Tommie Potts’ legendarily undanceable 1972 Album The Liffey Banks (November 14-16).
Finally the Irish Arts Center’s Annual Winter Solstice Celebration, with Mick Moloney, Athena Tergis, The Green Fields of America and a host of special guests will be held from December 11-15.
Here’s also a reminder about one of New York’s big gala dinners held by The Emerging Leaders Board of the Children’s Medical Research Foundation, Inc. that will be held at The Water Club (50 East 30th Street) on Wednesday July 31 starting with a VIP Reception at 6 pm, cocktails from 6.30 pm and the dinner and awards presentation beginning at 7.30 pm.
The Summer Gala Dinner with Conor ‘Sketches’ Moore and Greg Harrington… Wow, now that is something. For more information about the event, contact the Dinner Chairman Eoin Duane at eoinduane@gmail.com
Fnally we’ve received some bad news from John Lee about Former IBO President and Irish Examiner USA Man of the Year Sean McNeill who is suffering from an aggressive form of gall bladder cancer and faces an uncertain prognosis.
As John says, “Compounding his medical challenges are the financial ones. Sean is an entrepreneur running his real estate business and two online shopping start-ups, but now that he is incapacitated his income has dried up and his bills are piling up, from his rent to all the staggering medical fees not covered by health insurance.
“His friends at the Irish Business Organization of New York, where Sean is a longtime member, past president and current advisory board member, are reaching out to his broader circle of friends and colleagues to help Sean in his time of need.
“We have launched a fundraising effort to help alleviate Sean’s financial challenges through an online GoFundMe campaign at gofundme.com/822kuu-sean.
“How can you help?
“Help us spread the word, send us names we should contact about this news, volunteer to help organize the fundraiser in September, donate or help us source raffle items for the fundraiser, and of course, support Sean through the GoFundMe campaign.
“And I’m sure he’d appreciate your prayers, too.”
See you all again next week when I am Out&About again.