{"id":15311,"date":"2020-06-24T19:00:23","date_gmt":"2020-06-24T23:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=15311"},"modified":"2020-06-25T10:04:20","modified_gmt":"2020-06-25T14:04:20","slug":"outabout-78","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=15311","title":{"rendered":"Out&About"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"By Paddy McCarthy<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes! We are at \u2018Phase 2\u2019 of the reopening of more businesses, yippee! I hope everyone will take care and not to be overly ecstatic so early about it. This is great news for restaurants all across the New York State to open up, but only outdoors just for now. Let me tell you that it is a start after this terrible pandemic that put a lot of people in hospital and also took a lot of lives as well; it has been so sad for all those lost souls, may they rest in peace. <\/p>\n

Now I know the likes of me are waiting for Phase 3 so we can have a pint at the bar. No, no, you don\u2019t have to tell me the rules to keep our distance from each other; as my mother would say a half a loaf is better that no loaf, right? It will be a bit strange standing six feet away from each other so I presume we drink on our own, ha ha, let\u2019s see how long that will last? Being serious though, we have to abide by what the government are telling us and we will until this is beaten and we can all get back to some normality, I hope.<\/p>\n

Some advise again: On Monday June 22 New York City marked a return with openings of businesses, retail and restaurants within the guidelines put forth at\u00a0https:\/\/forward.ny.gov\/new-york-city-phase-two-industries<\/a>.\u00a0This is just a beginning. We need to adhere to these regulations.\u00a0By doing so we can reopen in a strategic and safe fashion and not suffer the backslide that we are seeing in other regions.\u00a0Please review the regulations so as ensure the safety of your employees and customers.<\/p>\n

\"\"Now to get back to see how other people have adjusted to the coronavirus just like The Irish Repertory Theatre<\/strong> who came up with a splendid idea and that was going digital all the shows been screened. Yes and also The Irish Arts Center who have done the same. Let me start with The Irish Repertory Theatre and \u201cHow We Got That Way: A celebration of Endurance Through Hard Times\u201d<\/strong> that is featuring Frank McCourt\u2019s<\/strong> The Irish and How They Got That Way. Directed by\u00a0Charlotte Moore<\/strong> with musical direction by\u00a0Rusty Magee<\/strong> and starring\u00a0Terry Donnelly<\/strong>, Marian Tomas Griffin<\/strong>, Bob Green<\/strong>, Rusty Magee<\/strong>, Ciar\u00e1n O\u2019Reilly<\/strong>,\u00a0and\u00a0Ciar\u00e1n Sheehan<\/strong> it has been rescheduled for Monday July 13, with a public premiere at 7pm EDT. <\/p>\n

Conor McPherson\u2019s\u00a0The Weir\u00a0<\/strong>follows as a performance on screen on July 21 for one week only!\u00a0Tickets are available to members now, and the public next Monday, July 6 at 1pm.\u00a0Mark you calendars!<\/p>\n

At home with the Irish Arts Center you have Hat Fitz & Cara\u2019s musical style is a rollicking combination of folk, roots, and gospel blues with a dash of old-time flavoring. The duo\u2014he a veteran \u201cwild man\u201d of the Australian blues scene and she an Irish\u00a0vocalist and multi-instrumentalist who has toured with Jamiroquai and Corinne Bailey-Rae\u2014play a boisterous live set. At Home With Irish Arts Center\u00a0is a series of commissioned work by our local and international artistic community\u00a0as part of IAC\u2019s\u00a0reimagined spring 2020 season. These events, and much more, will be\u00a0shared on\u00a0Twitter,\u00a0Facebook\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram, and\u00a0via email. <\/p>\n

Now here is another theatre that should interest you and that is the Sheen Center<\/strong> that also has events live streaming. On June 24, they will present \u201cBlack\u2008Stories Matter: A Conversation with\u2008Judy Tate of the American Slavery Project”<\/strong>. How do the stories we tell about our past impact our present and our future?\u00a0Join them for a timely conversation with Emmy Award-winning writer\u00a0Judy Tate, Co-Founder and Producing Artistic Director of The American Slavery Project. Judy will talk with\u00a0David Di Certo<\/strong>, Sheen Center\u2019s Interim Executive Director,\u00a0about the importance of storytelling through theater in educating audiences about our shared history of enslavement and its Jim Crow aftermath, and, in doing so, bridging\u00a0past and present to build\u00a0greater understanding\u00a0and a more hopeful future\u00a0for all. Watch Wednesday at 3pm\u00a0on their\u00a0website,\u00a0Facebook\u00a0or\u00a0YouTube. I have to say again that the show must go on and I have to also remind you \u201cis everybody digital\u201d.<\/p>\n

I am waiting for Phase 3 that will have me out and about again as I miss the bit of gossip around town and, of course where ever I can hear it and bring it to you. It has been over ten weeks since I really ventured out and I\u2019m missing a lot of friends… not too sure if they miss me, ha ha.<\/p>\n

Due to the Covid-19 crisis, the Celtic Cruise 2020<\/strong> will unfortunately not be able to sail. They had been hopeful to reschedule for later in the year but they have ultimately concluded that in the interest of safety, that they will cancel this year\u2019s cruise and will set sail again on June 9, 2021. As they said: \u201cOur loss of a good time pales in comparison to the loss of those suffering physically and financially as a result of the pandemic . Our prayers go out to all affected by this crisis.\u201d <\/p>\n

For the past 25 years, Division 7 of New York County, Ancient Order of Hibernians<\/strong> has run this annual charitable fundraiser on the second Wednesday in June. It signals the start of summer for the Irish American community and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for its designated charities. For the past 9 years, EIIC <\/strong>has been the charity of choice.<\/p>\n

Each year, 600 members of the Irish community in New York join them for a great summers evening of food, drink, music and dancing on the Hudson with the beautiful backdrop of the New York City skyline. This wonderful evening helps to generate a large portion of the EIIC’s annual donations and is vital in the upkeep of their resources to continue to assist our community. <\/p>\n

Last year, the Cruise generated a $50,000 donation to EIIC, a donation that they will not receive this year. This creates a real challenge to their ability to continue to provide necessary immigration and social services to the Irish American community. EIIC relies on both public and private funding. Funding from both sources is in jeopardy due to the Covid-19 crisis and the need for those services has only intensified . EIIC needs your help.<\/p>\n

Although their offices are temporarily closed due to COVID19, they are still doing everything they can to help our community, from immigration services to citizenship classes to Zoom senior coffee mornings. For all of this work to continue, funding is desperately needed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe ask each of you to consider making a fully tax deductible donation to EIIC in the amount of $100, the cost of a Celtic Cruise ticket. Your check can be made payable to Emerald Isle Immigration Center and mailed to Emerald Isle Immigration Center, 59-26 Woodside Avenue , Woodside , New York 11377.\u201d You can learn more at EIIC\u2019s website at www.eiic.org<\/a>. Please do what you can to help.<\/p>\n

That it what I have for you this week and will see you all again WHEN I am Out&About… <\/p>\n

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