Iae march st paddy special (1)

MARCH 2016

VOLUME XXIII - ISSUE 3

ONCE To Open at the Pantages Hollywood on March 15

Details on Page 5

Global Greening for St Patrick’s Day 2016

Tourism Ireland is again sponsoring the “Greening” of landmarks and monuments Details on Page 7

Sensational Group Comes to Pepperdine; PLUS: Interview With Joanie Madden Interview & Story on Page 9

Celtic Faire at FAIRPLEX in Pomona on March 19 & 20 Jousting, Irish Music, Food & More!

Coverage starts on Page 3

Aer Lingus Launch Gala at LA’s City Club

Coverage on Page 8

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Irish Arts & Entertaniment

Irish Arts & Entertaniment

PAGE 3

Celtic Faire Set For Fairplex on Saturday, March 19 & 20 Celebrate with Food, Beer & Entertainment

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eltic Faire returns to Fairplex March 19 & 20 for its annual weekend celebration. Whether you are Irish, Scottish, Welsh (or something completely different!), this year’s festival has plenty of activities that will allow guests to step into the past and explore the rich Celtic traditions through music, dance, food, drinks, entertainment, crafts, games, gifts and hands-on activities.

As the festival draws near, Fairplex will transform into a Celtic village, filled with shopping areas, country games and pubs. Guests will enjoy: Jousting - Join us as we relive the excitement of expert horsemanship, rousing knight games, thrilling hand-to-hand combat, classical dressage and the thrill of full contact jousting as we demonstrate that chivalry is still alive and living in the hearts of the Imperial Knights!

Celtic and Irish Music - A wide variety of musical styles will be showcased by popular local Irish and Celtic bands, including traditional Irish music, Celtic Bluegrass Fusion, Modern Irish Rock, Irish Punk and World Punk. These bands will surely have every guest present stomping their feet, clapping and singing at the top of their lungs.

Sheepherding - Watch and learn about the art of sheepherding through demonstrations and a display of the many different breeds of dogs that interact with sheep in their daily lives, while CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 experts will be on hand to answer questions about the work and pastime of sheepherding.

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Irish Arts & Entertaniment

Introduction To Our Irish Music Special Issue

By Jim McDonough

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his short introduction will also serve as my Publisher’s Letter for March. On behalf of myself and all the great team that help us each issue, we want to wish all of our Advertisers, Friends and Readers a very Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! We hope this issue helps you find some grand and interesting music and places to go that will enhance your celebrations for the Great Saint’s Great Day! Irish Americans and sentimental and traditional Irish Music have had a strong bond for almost two hundred years! The Irish Music genre has come a long way in America since those first Irish Tunes written and loved by Irish Americans as far We are expanding! back as Colonial times held sway. In the space permitted, we offer you but a glimpse of the Are you a creative self starter? depth and insights that a few artists have shared with us.

Exciting Opportunity

&

NEEDS: Writers - all levels, experienced Editor, and energetic Ad Sales Reps.

Full or Part Time, Hourly or Weekly Base with bonus and commissions.

Call Jim for a brief phone interview: (951) 216-1493

We were extremely lucky for this issue as we got to commiserate with three of the most interesting and talented ladies that we have ever met: Loreena McKennitt, Joanie Madden and Orla Boylan; in all three cases, we will be posting more of these conversations in our Special Digital St. Patrick’s Day issue.

“Happy St. Patrick’s Day” To All our Friends and Customers

Congratulations!

Nicole Fossier as our February Winner! Nicole found our AD and CLONE: The Irish Arts & Entertainment ad was on both pages 19 and 21 of last months edition.

Look for this months AD CLONE to win!

Irish Arts & Entertainment

The opinions expressed by our columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Irish Arts & Entertainment or its Editor and staff.

PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR James M. McDonough SALES REPRESENTATIVE Patrick Weld Brian Boylan WRITERS Barbara Singer MaryPat Tuxbury Patrick Weld LAYOUT & DESIGN Shea Newkirk RESIDENT ARTIST Adrien Rain Burke TELEPHONE 951-216-1493 E-MAIL jmcdonough44@gmail.com Copyright 2016.

All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. Subscriptions are delivered via Armadillo Distributing, UPS & USPS First Class. Send subscriptions, address changes, and inquires to: Irish Arts & Entertainment 7310 South La Cienega Blvd.

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ON OUR COVER Irish Actress Fionnula Flanagan with Aer Lingus Cabin Crew

Irish Arts & Entertaniment

PAGE 5

Back By Popular Demand, the Perfect Irish Musical for St. Patrick’s Week!

ONCE Comes to Hollywood Pantages Opens On March 15 For A Limited Return Engagement The Irish Musical ONCE, winner of eight Tony Awards® including BEST MUSICAL and winner of the 2013 GRAMMY® for Best Musical Theater Album is returning to The Hollywood Pantages St. Patrick’s Week from March 15 to 20!

ONCE tells the story of an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant drawn together by their shared love of music. Over the course of one fateful week, their unexpected friendship and collaboration evolves into a powerful but complicated romance, heightened by the raw emotion of the songs they create together. Brought to the stage by an award-winning team of visionary artists and featuring an ensemble cast of gifted actor/musicians, ONCE is a musical celebration of life and love: thrilling in its originality, daring in its honesty... and unforgettable in every way. The entire cast is comprised of very talented musicians and singers. The stagecraft is very innovative and it blends the cast member orchestra and the characters of Once together through brilliant choreography! The 2007 Academy Award-winning film, ONCE, was written and directed by John Carney, and starred Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, with original music and lyrics by Mr. Hansard and Ms. Irglová. Individual tickets for ONCE are available for purchase at www.HollywoodPantages.com or www.Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800-9822787. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Hollywood Pantages Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets. The Hollywood Pantages is located at 6233 Hollywood Boulevard, just east of Vine Street, and the box office opens daily at 10am except for holidays. ONCE is based on the Academy Award-winning film Irish film by the same

CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

Loreena McKennitt Trio Don’t miss the award-winning Celtic composer and singer in an atmospheric evening of music and tales inspired by her exotic travels in pursuit of the history of the Celts.

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Irish Arts & Entertaniment

Irish Talent and Spirit at Santa Barbara Film International Festival Honors to Saoirise Ronan and Director Lenny Abrahamson Dingle IFF Showcases Animated Short Films

By Barbara Singer

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his year’s 31st annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) opened with gusto and anticipation of an exciting schedule of over 200 films and nightly tributes for 11 days including 52 world premieres. Festival Director Roger Durling, a true film lover, welcomed the spirited crowd at Santa Barbara’s historic Arlington Theatre.

Since the SBIFF is a major city event for Santa Barbara, Mayor Helene Schneider traditionally addresses first nighters. This year Mayor Schneider acknowledged guests to the city from Dingle, Ireland, who were present to showcase Irish Animated Short films from Dingle’s International Film Festival represented by Maurice Galway, Director of the Dingle International Film Festival with a selection of handpicked shorts from top Irish animators.

Dingle, located in County Kerry, on the West Coast of Ireland boasts beautiful landscapes, beaches, a lively fishing harbor and is a popular tourist destination, which can be expensive to stay in. With a lot of similar aspects, Dingle became the Sister City of Santa Barbara, CA in 2003. Everyone knows Santa Barbara, on the West Coast of the United States, as a beautiful beach city with a great harbor, often expensive for accommodations, yet immensely popular to visit. They share an abundance of agriculture and recreation. Both Sister Cities continued to have good international relationship.

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The SBIFF opened with the U.S. premiere of “The Little Prince” from director Mark Osbourne, which has already grossed 100 million worldwide box office. One of the (cross street Murrieta Hot Springs) lead voices and contributors to the film is actor Jeff Bridges, a resident of Santa Barbara, who proudly introduced the film with the director NOW, you can sign up for our E-Newsletter via FaceBook. and actress Mackenzie Foy.

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A major part of the SBIFF is the tributes to actors and directors that have distinguished themselves by their body of work. This year’s tributes went to: Johnny Depp (Maltin Modern Master), Michael KeCONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Irish Arts & Entertaniment

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Global Greening for St Patrick’s Day 2016 Tourism Ireland is again sponsoring the “Greening” of landmarks and monuments all over Planet Earth as a tribute to the Great Saint Patrick!

Brian Ambrose, Chairman of Tourism Ireland; Tourism Minister Paschal Donohoe; and Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, at the launch of Tourism Ireland’s seventh annual Global Greening initiative for St Patrick’s Day 2016.

Tourism Ireland has once again expanded their very popular program of sponsoring the “Greening” of well known sites around the world such as Stadiums, statues, palaces, landmarks and monuments to celebrate Ireland’s national day! From the Colosseum in Rome, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Paris, the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro to Nelson’s Column in London, all will go green again this year to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, as part of the seventh annual Global Greening initiative.

New ‘greenings’ for 2016 will include 7 World Trade Center at Ground Zero in New York, the famous Big Wheel on Place de la Concorde in Paris, Mole Antonelliana in Turin (the architectural symbol of the city), the light rail system in Addis Ababa (the first light rail system in subSaharan Africa) and City Hall in Tel Aviv. Also, the famous Boston Red Sox (baseball team) will wear green jerseys on St Patrick’s Day, for their spring training game in Florida. And their home ground, Fenway Park in Boston, will also join in the ‘greening’ fun – with the inside of the ballpark, the scoreboards and the ‘Green Monster’ (high left field wall) all set to be illuminated in green.

Tourism Ireland’s unique global campaign – which sees some of the world’s most famous attractions and sites going green to mark St CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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Irish Arts & Entertaniment

AER LINGUS TO INAUGURATE DIRECT FLIGHTS TO DUBLIN FROM LAX IN EARLY MAY

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n February 18 the Los Angeles IRISH and IRISH AMERICAN COMMUNITY as well as Los Angeles civic and business leaders came together to celebrate the launch of Aer Lingus’ upcoming nonstop service from Los Angeles to Dublin during an elegant and well attended reception at The City Club of Los Angeles.

Starting May 4th, Aer Lingus will operate four weekly flights between LAX and Dublin International Airport, representing a new and convenient way to travel to Ireland and connect to destinations across Britain and Continental Europe. The exciting news about the upcoming service has prompted great interest among Irish Finbar Hill, Irish Honorary nationals residing in Southern California and Irish Americans, both Consul based in the LA Area groups are eager to visit Ireland. There is also great interest for the new and Dr. John Gordon Harold. air service mounting among Southern California’s Irish organizations, Photo Credit: Dean Machin businesses and in the entertainment industry at large in particular. Demand for the Emerald Isle has been impressive especially within the movie industry, with an extensive network of actors, crew, producers, directors and backroom staff working in Tinseltown and all hailing from Ireland.

On hand for the gathering were The Consul General of Ireland, Mr. Philip Grant , The Honorary Consul General, Mr. Finbar Hill with his wife Carmel. The event held on the 51ST Floor of the City National Bank building (555 S. Flower) at the amazing City Club was attended by some renowned Irish movie names from both sides of the Atlantic including the very talented award winning actress Fionnula Flanagan (See Cover). Johnny O’Callaghan, LA based stage and film actor known for his Award winning play and upcoming film. “Who’s Your Daddy” was also on hand for the festivities.

Other entertainment luminaries in attendance were Olivia Tracey, actress, television personality and Former Miss Ireland and Brian Carmody, Producer of the Tony Award Winning Broadway Musical ONCE.

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Lingus JOHN CONNOLLY and TRACY JOHANSSON/ (Aer Aer Lingus cabin crew) In middle is Chloe Agnew, She is a e x e c u t i v e s former Celtic Woman singer. Photo credit: Dean Machin welcomed those in attendance and extolled the Irish Airline and the new service. Jeff Wright, Director of Sales, North America, Aer Lingus said, “Our operation of the Los Angeles route will strengthen Ireland’s ties with Southern California and encourage Ireland’s development as a hub for Europe. Los Angeles of course is home to entertainment industry and Ireland has been extremely supportive of movie production.”

The reception itself was a real treat and a great representation of grand Irish Hospitality with a seemingly unending supply of h’orse dvoours and a full hosted bar featuring imported Irish favorites and California wines!

The event was organized for Aer Lingus by the O’Neill Group of Newport Beach, CA under the able direction of Deirdre O’Neill Machin.

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Irish Arts & Entertaniment

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CHERISH THE LADIES IN CONCERT IN LATE MARCH

Concert Set for Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, in Malibu, CA We had the good fortune to talk to Joanie Madden, a founding member of one of the absolute best and arguably the most distinctive traditional Irish group in America or Ireland. The Grammy-winning, Cherish the Ladies has been together for over 30 years of music making. They are so distinctive because they were the first all-women Celtic music ensemble.The Irish Music roots in the group are deep and the dedication to their craft is evidenced by not just the longevity of this band but the superb quality of their music; be it in a concert or on a CD! Cherish The Ladies have toured the US, Ireland and scores of venues throughout the world bringing their particular blend of Celtic, Folk and Irish Music to appreciative audiences.

Under the leadership of All-Ireland flute and whistle champion Joanie Madden, the leader of the band, named by The Irish Voice as one of the Top 25 most influential Irish Americans of the past quarter century, Cherish the Ladies has achieved well deserved world wide acclaim. In concerts, the evening tbecomes an enchanting Irish experience that includes a spectacular blend of virtuoso instrumental talents, beautiful vocals, captivating arrangements, and stunning step dancing, combining all the facets of Irish culture into an emotional and witty performance.

Joining the Ladies at Pepperdine will be the wonderful voices of The Ennis Sisters from Newfoundland, legendary fiddler Liz Carroll and the incredible dancing of Garrett Coleman, Julie Fitzgerald, and Jason Oremus, former principal dancer of Riverdance.

Cherish the Ladies Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at 8 p.m.

Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA www.cherishtheladies. com

PAGE 10 Irish Arts & Entertaniment CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 aton, Rachel McAdams and Mark Ruffalo-“Spotlight” (American Rivera Award), Sylvester Stallone (Montecito Award), Rooney Mara (Cinema Vanguard Award), Virtuosos Award to actors with noteworthy performances in the year’s films, Variety Artisans Award (behind the scenes talent) and to the Outstanding Directors of the Academy Award nominated films.

Among the tributes are Outstanding Performers of the year Award, which were presented to Brie Larson (“Room”) and Saoirse Ronan (“Brooklyn”). Roger Durling executive director of the SBIFF related that “Saoirse and Brie are two of the best performers of the year. They’re both such young performers, but the level of maturity and depth of range in both of them really impressed me this year.”

Brie Larson was the focus of the distressing story “Room” by Irish director Lenny Abrahamson, where a young girl is abducted, imprisoned and impregnated in a 10 X 10 room raising a boy alone. He has never left the room and she plots their escape, which on exiting opens a new world for the child of 5 years old. Larson has received numerous awards for her role and is nominated for an Academy Award for the film. The other Outstanding Performance of the Year is Irish actress Saorise Ronan, who stars in John Crowley’s ”Brooklyn” as the young innocent Irish immigrant trying to make a life for herself in 1950’s Brooklyn. She falls in love and marries an American man; soon a family tragedy draws her back to Ireland and she is faced with the decision to stay at home or return to Brooklyn. Ronan was born in New York and returned to Ireland as a child, where she grew up. She received the New York Film Critics Circle Award and has been nominated for an Academy Award. Soon she will be making her Broadway debut in “The Crucible.” She told the SBIFF. “I am so proud of where I came from and so proud to be the product of two people brave enough to go over to New York.”

Irish director Lenny Abrahamson (“Room”) shared the stage with the other Oscar nominated directors to receive the Best Director of the Year Award. He was moved by Emma Donoghue’s novel and was determined to make the film, “What sold me on the material was how all these emotions illustrated deeper themes about parenting.” The screenplay written by Donoghue reflects the story from the boy’s point of view, the way Jack sees things after he escapes from the room.” Abrahamson, Larson and the boy, Jacob Tremblay. have all been nominated for Oscars.

Irish Animated Shorts had their own category at the SBIFF with 13 animations brought by Maurice Galway from the Dingle IFF, some with Irish themes others with universal themes. Galway participate in a Q & A session following the screenings. “Deadly” (Aidan McAteer) won The Best Animated Short at The Animation Ireland Awards in Animation Dingle 2015, “Coda” (Alan Holly) was named Best Animated Short Film 2015 by Vimeo and was short listed for an Academy Award, while the others are by top animators and animation studios in Ireland. The Dingle International Film festival takes place March 17-20, 2016. www.dinglefilmfestival and Animation Dingle is presented March 18-19, 2016 www.animationadingle. com.

While in Santa Barbara, the Dingle International Film Festival presented The Peck Family with The Gregory Peck Award to celebrate his birth Centenary. Gregory Peck, born April 5, 1916 an important year in Irish history, was related to republican Thomas Ashe important to The 1916 Easter Rising and his grandmother Catherine Ash was from Minard near Dingle. The Gregaory Peck Award is based on the Aglish Pillar from Minard and is kept in the National Museum of Ireland. Past recipients of The Gregory Peck Award have been: Laura Dern, Gabriel Byrne, Jim Sheridan, Jean-Jacques Beineix and Stephen Frears.

Find out more information about the Santa Barbara International Film Festival at www.sbiff.org.

www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?pn=irishnewsusa

Irish Arts & Entertaniment

PAGE 11

Orla Boylan, Irish Soprano

By Jim McDonough

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he Irish Arts and Entertainment usually has the “Luck of the Irish” with usmost of the time and the past few weeks have been exceptional in the good fortune department. Our latest coup, a sit down interview with Orla Boylan, one of the most gifted dramatic sopranos and operatic personalities now alive on the Mortal Coil! Orla Boylan was in town for a quick stop to visit her brother, famed Celtic Artist, Brian Boylan. who is now a South Bay resident and good friend. The Irish siblings are both native to Skerries just north of Dublin. Singer Boylan still lives there when not working all over Europe for extended Opera Seasons and on her regular travels around the world to sing, The beautiful talented and unpretentious Orla had just finished a stint in Salt Lake City recording with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and wanted to spend some off time with her brother and nieces.

She shared with us her first exceptional experience in the operatic world. She loves to sing and since a child she had been singing in church, school, choirs but she was also just a regular Irish kid. Always studious, she had plans on being a Bio-Chemest and earning a PhD. At any rate, she found herself with her voice teacher in Milan in 1995 . The pair sat together almost deliriously happy, “..she and her singing teacher sat laughing in disbelief in the La Scala opera house waiting room. The Irish cell biologist had just won Milan’s prestigious ASLICO* singing competition!” Over the past twenty years, her career as one of the foremost dramatic sopranos has soared. Boylan has sung many times at La Scala where her journey began and all over Europe. This Summer and Spring she will be singing in Florence for several months. She has sung throughout Ireland and Britain at the worCONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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& Entertainment IrishIrish ArtsArts & Entertaniment

E September 2015 E

Liam Neeson to be Honoured in Dublin at the 2016 IFTA Awards on April 9th

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he Irish Film & Television Academy has announced that acclaimed Irish Actor Liam Neeson will be honored with the Irish Academy (IFTA) Award for his ‘Outstanding Contribution to Cinema’ at the 2016 annual IFTA Film & Drama Awards, taking place at the Mansion House, Dublin on Saturday, April 9 The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins will officially present the Award at the CeremonyComedy on behalf of the Academy, the entire Irish film industry and his Night (adults only) every Tuesday community of peers and friends, both North and South.

Live Music on Fridays & Saturdays Born in Ballymena, County Antrim, to Katherine BernardEntertainment Neeson, Liam Neeson Sundays areIreland, devoted to Familyand Friendly has established himself as a world renowned Check our websiteand outstanding actor of his generation. Neeson has worked with some of the greatest filmmakers in the world; Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, John Boorman, Neil Jordan, Kathryn Bigelow, Christopher Nolan and Oliver Hirschbiegel among many others, and has collaborated multiple times with some of these directors. ...in addition to allforyour pub favorites He has received international Award recognition various roles through his on as ourMichael menu; we offer Alfred Kinsey ability to depict real-life characters such Collins, Everyday...

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He has also been entrusted to deliver iconic roles and fictional characters in TWO HAPPY HOURS! Monday to Friday: numerous major blockbuster franchises such3pm­7pm as Star Wars and Batman and Sunday to Wednesday: 9pm­close the enormously successful blockbuster trilogy Taken.

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Liam Neeson, responding to the news said: “I am honored and humbled to Search for “TheShamrockIrishPubandEatery” be recognized by the Irish Academy with this award, especially when I am following in the footsteps illustrious group of Blog Irishon filmmakers Be sureof toan check our Calendar and our website.before me such as Boorman, Jordan, O’Hara and Sheridan. I look forward to coming to on the web: theshamrockirishpubandeatery.com CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

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PAGE 13

Ireland and Celtic Music A Small country punching well above their weight!

By True Thomas the Storyteller

“Never get one of those cheap tin whistles. It leads to much harder drugs like pipes and flutes.” –Anon.

The skirling sound of a penny whistle, the drone of the pipes, strums of a harp, or that unique sound of an Irish singer; there is nothing like Celtic music. Irish music, in particular, has been a key part of the national identity of the Irish people. In fact, the national symbol of Ireland is a harp, and it’s the only country in the world that has chosen a musical instrument as its national symbol.

You see that same harp on the side of Guinness bottles, and on the money as well (The Trinity College Harp, aka Brian Boru’s Harp at Trinity College in Dublin.) It is an early Irish harp, or wire strung cláirseach, dating from around the 14th Century. So it’s a bit newer than the last Emperor of Ireland, (Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig) who lived till 1015, AD. In any case, the Celts have never let facts get in the way of a good story.

The traditional style of music played by the Irish probably arrived in Ireland about 2000 years ago, and was probably influenced by music from the middle-east.

Once the Celts landed in Ireland, though, the spirit of the land and of the people became unique, and distilled into a heady brew indeed. In truth, if you want songs of war, sadness, rebellion, wit, or love, the Celts do them with fine style; this music is an essential part of our culture. So much so that, in ancient days, Bards, Seanachies, Harpers, and performers often had a sacred and protected role in early Celtic society.

One of the key reasons why Celtic music is so unique is that very same culture. For hundreds of years, music, songs, stories, and knowledge was passed on orally.

Oral tradition is at the heart of the Celtic wellspring. It was said that a traditional bard was able to recite 200 forms of meter and rhyme, entertain for 3 months while never repeating himself, and if they were a bard with patron, they would know the lineage of everyone around them nine generations back. It was said that it took twenty years to hone such a skill set as this.

This powerful mnemonic training and gift for music and speech, by the way, is one of the reasons why Europe was mainly Christianized by Irish missionaries. They came from a tradition of powerful rhetoric and discourse.

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The music travels with the Celts wherever they go. The Harp, for instance is an ancient instrument, with a long lineage. Just was we have soundtracks for movies today, often times ancient storytellers had professional and well respected and paid traditional harpist to accompany them.

St. Patrick’s Day

After Ireland came under threat from outside invaders, many of the poets, bards, musicians, and harpers fled. The invaders well knew the power of soul of Ireland, the songs, stories and music of its people. Their instruments and vocal stylings travelled with them, as well as their heritage. Irish Fiddle, Penny Whistle, Bodhran, Pipes, and vocal style traditions of sean nós, Caoineadh, and Irish (and other Celtic Nations) styles of dance are still celebrated and shared and taught to this very day.

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Despite the invasions, and the long, troubled history of Ireland, that river of oral tradition has travelled through time to this very day. In fact, it wasn’t until 1762 that most Irish folk tunes started to get written down.

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People had been learning them by ear and passing them on, copying, tweaking, and sharing them from person to person, on quiet hills, or at grand Craic sessions. That process has shaped the music, making it potent and keeping it powerfully emotive and alive. And, of course, if you are steeped in that music and tradition, you might grow up to be famous musicians, writers, and artists! And the Celts have more than a few. Creatively, and especially musically, the Celts, and Ireland in particular, punch well above their weight, and that musical soul of the Celts is still very alive, vibrant and rebellious to this very day. Sláinte!

True Thomas is a Traditional Celtic Storyteller, Based in S. California, and available for your next event! www.truethomas.com, on FB as True Thomas the Storyteller.

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www.TheProper.com

PAGE 14 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 ld’s leading Opera Houses such as Sydney and Covant Garden. She has been the star attraction with the Irish National Symphony and many more prestigious orchestras. “I had never imagined a career as a singer,” the down to earth diva told us, “It was only a hobby that suddenly became more serious. I’m still quite surprised that it has gone this well! Takes a bit to get used to it, but I’m getting there.”

Writers note: Boylan is dead serious about her feelings; she is an open book and one of, if not the most humble talent that I’ve ever met! Meeting her for the first time was an amazing experience; after an hour I started thinking of her as a friend. In a forthcoming issue, we will publish a much more in depth feature on her. We just could not pass up the opportunity to include her in this Irish Music Special.

More Info: http://www.aslico.org/en/aslico/chi_siamo.htm & www.orlaboylan.com

Irish Arts & Entertaniment CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 Dance Demos - Since dancing is an integral part of the Irish and Scottish communities, watch as trained dancers demonstrate the difference and the art of Irish and Scottish Country Dance. Complete with costumes and traditional accessories, both styles of dance are performed by local dance schools as a demonstration to an important part of the Irish and Scottish heritage.

Food - Everyone loves good food, so come out and enjoy traditional corned beef and cabbage, smashed baked potatoes, Guinness Shepherd’s Pie and Fish-N-Chips. Hours for Celtic Faire are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. General admission is $10, ages 6-12 $5, ages 5 and younger are free.

For more information about this event, a complete schedule of events and to purchase tickets, visit : www.celticfaireatfairplex.com

Irish Arts & Entertaniment

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Scottish Fest USA

PAGE 16 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 Patrick’s Day – kicks off the organisation’s €21.5 / £15 million first half promotional drive to grow overseas tourism in 2016.

The Global Greening initiative has truly gone from strength to strength, with a number of new sites signing up to take part in 2016. These include the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville (home of the Nashville Predators ice hockey team), Mount Ulriken TV mast in Bergen, Porte Dijeaux in Bordeaux, Monza’s Villa Reale in Italy and the Hofbräuhaus in Munich. In Brazil, five sites will be illuminated in green for the first CONTINUED ON PAGE 27 PMS 7504

Irish Arts & Entertaniment time ever on St Patrick’s Day – including the Amazon Theatre (opera house in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest), the Elevador Lacerda in Salvador (an historic art deco elevator which connects the upper and lower parts of the city) and the Carioca Aqueduct in Rio de Janeiro.

The new sites will join some ‘old favourites’ which have gone green in previous years – including the Colosseum in Rome, the ‘Welcome’ sign in Las Vegas, the Allianz Arena in Munich, the Empire State Building in New York and the Sky Tower in Auckland.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Paschal Donohoe said: “St Patrick’s Day presents a unique and wonderful opportunity to promote CONTINUED ON PAGE 27 PMS 465

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202 NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE, NEWPORT BEACH 92660 www.muldoonspub.com 949 640 4110 facebook

Irish Arts & Entertaniment

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8 5

Y E A R S

ON SALE NOW! • MARCH 15 - 20

O F

H O L L Y W O O D

H I S T O R Y .

ON SALE NOW! • APRIL 5 - 10

H O L LY WO O D PA N TAG E S . C O M / 8 0 0 - 9 8 2 - 2 7 87

Irish News • FulPg 10” x 10” • RUN DATE: March 2016

C E L E B R A T I N G

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Irish Arts & Entertaniment

Irish Arts & Entertaniment

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LATE NIGHT KITCHEN 23 Flat Screens 40 TAPS FULL BAR

Irish Music Line Up for

St. Patrick’s Day LIVE MUSIC STARTS AT 1PM with Irish Bands and Irish Songs 1-4:pm Dog’s Bullocks 4:30-8:pm OTHER MOTHER BROTHER’ 8:pm till close The Universe Available for Private Events

www.facebook.com/sonnymcleans www.sonnymcleans.com

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Irish Arts & Entertaniment

KATIE MCNALLY AND NEIL PEARLMAN

UNBEATABLE PRICES ON: CUSTOM WEBSITES PRINTED MEDIA LOGOS & MORE! www.LongBeachWebDesign.com | 562.222.8300

The vibrant musical traditions of Scotland and Cape Breton take on new life in the hands of Katie McNally (“the new face of Scottish fiddling in America” - Living Tradition) and Neil Pearlman (“a tremendous pianist” -BBC Radio Scotland). Based in Boston, MA, this young musical couple is making waves internationally with their fresh approaches to traditional forms. Just returned from recording a brand new album at the legendary Lakewind Sound in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Katie and Neil will put on a high energy show that is not to be missed! Katie and Neil, joined by violist Shauncey Ali, recently travelled to Cape Breton to record a trio album slated for release in Spring 2016. Under the guidance of producer Wendy MacIsaac (Beolach, Mary Jane Lamond), McNally has curated a collection of tunes that will draw inspiration from raw, mid-century recordings of Cape Breton fiddlers both in Nova Scotia and Massachusetts and be sculpted by the creative energy of the Boston acoustic music scene.

Katie has performed and taught fiddle courses in the U.S., Canada, Spain, Scotland, England, and France. A member of the cross genre fiddle super-group Childsplay since 2009, she appears on their CD and concert video release, “As the Crow Flies,” produced by legendary Irish fiddler, Liz Carroll. McNally performs regularly as a soloist and has collaborated in the past with guitarist Eric McDonald and all-woman trad group, Long Time Courting. In the fall of 2012, she accompanied famed Galician bagpiper Carlos Núñez on his first North American tour to promote the release of his Sony Masterworks double album, “Discover.” Called “a force to be reckoned with” by WGBH’s Brian O’Donovan, Neil is recognized in many Celtic music circles for his unique approach to the piano. Rooted in traditional Cape Breton piano styles, Neil brings in ideas from many other genres and the result is an exciting new sound that remains true to its traditional roots. It was this fresh approach that led legendary Cape Breton fiddler Jerry Holland to say “watching Neil’s hands on the piano was like watching two spiders on crack!”

Neil grew up performing Scottish music and dance with his family band Highland Soles, and has gone on to work with many of the top Celtic artists performing today, including Natalie MacMaster, Alasdair Fraser and more. This magically talented duo will be performing in the Los Angeles area in late March at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.

More online: www.albasedge.com www.neilpearlman.com www.coffeegallery.com

Irish Arts & Entertaniment California -

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Irish Community Calendar

- By Date

Concerts • Musical Events • Classes • Irish Dance • Socials • Special Events • Theatre Friday, March 5 @ 10:00pm The Whooligans The Auld Dubliner 71 S. Pine Avenue Long Beach, CA www.aulddubliner.com

Social All are welcome!

Thanks to Pastor Fr Michael Gleeson.. Sr Alicia is the coordinator. The purpose for these gatherings is to have fun, talk about the ould country, a bit of singing, a bit of dancing, etc so please try to attend once in awhile. St Cornelius Church Hall 5500 E. Wardlow Road, Long Beach, CA 90808

2029 N Lake Ave, Altadena, CA 91001 626 398-7917 www.coffeegallery.com

Great Food and Live Bands Van Dieman’s band with Gilman Carver from 10am!!!! Then local band The Droppers will play from Tuesday, March 15 through 5pm. Muldoon’s Irish Pub 202 Sunday, March 20 “ONCE” Newport Center Dr, Newport Saturday, March 12 Winner of Eight Tony Awards Beach, CA 949 640-4110 www.

See Ad and Feature this issue Irish including BEST MUSICAL, ONCE muldoonspub.com Heritage Parade from 2:pm to is a truly original Broadway 3:pm experience. Featuring an Thursday, March 17 St. Patrick’s Runs down Pine Avenue in Long impressive ensemble of actor/ Day Celebrations in SoCal!!

Beach Free Festival starts at musicians who play their own The Fourth Annual St. Patrick’s 3:00pm in Promenade Park. instruments onstage, ONCE tells Day Celebration at BUZZFEED’S www.irishheritageparade.com Sunday, March 13 2:00pm the enchanting tale of a Dublin #1 Irish Pub The Shamrock Live to 5:00pm Family Day The street musician who’s about to on stage: The Dublin Rogues Pipe Saturday, March 12 22nd.

Whooligans Trio and Irish give up on his dream when a Bands, DJ and a lot more! The Annual Irish Event! St. Patrick’s Dancers beautiful young woman takes a Shamrock Irish Pub & Eatery Day Celebration The Red Leprechaun sudden interest in his haunting 39252 Winchester Hosted by the Irish Center of 4000 E Anaheim St, Long Beach, love songs. 2 Hours and 15 minutes Rd. #145, Murrieta, Southern California Entertainment CA 90804 562 343-5560 Including Intermission Ages 10 CA. 951.696.5252 www.

by Ken O’Malley & the Twilight www.redleprechaun.com and Up Children under 5 not theshamrockirishpubandeatery.

Lords and the Cleary School of admitted. Everyone must have a com Irish Dance Dinner and Dancing Shows In March BLUE DEUX ticket.

Thursday, March 17 St. Patrick’s silent Auction Drawing for a Amazing fiddle & guitar duo, Pantages Theatre Day Red Leprechaun’s Annual Trip to Ireland Door Prizes Bluegrass, Americana and Irish 6233 Hollywood Blvd. Los Celebration!

Donation: $75. The Hilton Hotel traditional! Muldoon’s House Angeles, CA 90028 TICKETS: Incredible food at LA’s only true 100 W. Glenoaks, Glendale, CA Irish Band! Sunday 3/13 from 800 982-2787 Performance Irish American Gastro Pub! Reservations; please call: Mary 6-8:pm Sunday 3/20 from 6-8:pm Schedule: 4000 E Anaheim St, Long Beach, Dempsey: 626 337-0075 E-Mail: Wednesday 3/30 from 7-9:pm Tuesday - Friday at 8pm CA 90804 562 343-5560 TomIrishhour@msn.com Muldoon’s Irish Pub 202 Newport Saturday at 2pm & 8pm Sunday www.redleprechaun.com www.irishcenter.org Center Dr, Newport Beach, CA at 1pm & 6:30pm USE CODE 949 640-4110 “IRISH” when ordering online Thursday, March 17 Paddy’s Day Sunday, March 13 www.muldoonspub.com for a great discount Online: O’Brien’s Loreena McKennitt HollywoodPantages.com Pub 23rd. & Wilshire Santa Celebrated world artist in a rare Tuesday, March 15 @ 8:00pm Ticketmaster.com In Person Monica The Praties The and personal concert! Segerstrom PATRICK BALL / CELTIC Hollywood Pantages Box Office Shenanigans DJ @ 9:00pm Center for the Arts 600 Town HARP & STORY (opens daily at 10am) and all O’Brien’s Irish Pub 2226 Wilshire Center Drive Costa Mesa, CA ..a stellar solo performance. http:// Ticketmaster Outlets More online: Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 310 829Tickets start at $49 714 556-2787 www.patrickball.com/ Patrick http://hollywoodpantages.com/ 5303 www.obriensla.com and at the Box Office Ball is one of the premier Celtic once www.SCFTA.org harp players in the world and a captivating spoken word artist.

Thursday, March 17th CONTINUED ON PAGE 22 Sunday, March 13 2:00pm to Tickets only $18. The Coffee Celebrate St. Paddy’d Day ALL 4:00pm Second Sunday Irish Gallery Backstage DAY

PAGE 22

Irish Arts & Entertaniment California -

Irish Community Calendar

- By Date

Concerts • Musical Events • Classes • Irish Dance • Socials • Special Events • Theatre Thursday March 17th Auld Dubliner Saint Patrick’s Day From NOON till MIDNIGHT! Irish Music The Whooligans and Friends The Auld Dubliner 71 S. Pine Avenue Long Beach, CA www.aulddubliner.com www. kenomalley.com Thursday March 17th Paddy’s Day 10th Annual Irish Pub Crawl

on the Big RED Bus! Starts at 11:00am to 2:00pm You do the drinking we’ll do the driving! There is no better way to enjoy St Patrick’s Day than on the Big RED Bus! (Loading at10:45am) Breakfast Time: 10-10:45am (Beer or Irish Coffee included with breakfast. Ticket Includes: Irish Pubs w/ no lines or cover charge + drink specials Cruising the

Calling All Kilts!

MULDOON’S 14th ANNUAL KILT CONTEST Sunday, March 13th

Starts at

1

1st, 2nd & 3rd Place $25 Muldoon’s GIFT CARD for all who enter

Both Ladies & Gents Welcome Dancing, Bagpipes & Live Music

FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY!

EMAIL paul@muldoonspub.com TO SIGN-UP

coastline on a topless DoubleDecker Bus St Paddy’s day SWAG for all passengers A credit card is needed to hold the reservation, but only for authorization. Cash only is accepted the day of the event.

Cancellations: No refunds Reservations Needed: Please call 562-888-2870 or email events@bigredbus.com to reserve your spot for our most popular event of the year!

Friday, March 18 @ 7:00pm Celtic Echos Presents Hoolie in the Kitchen !!!

Join us a great evening of Celtic fun: jigs, reels, pub songs, favorite Irish ballads,the occasional haunting air - and general Tom Foolery (the Irish call that good Craic!) You’ll feel like you’ve been invited into our kitchen for a grand Irish good time!!! Advance tickets $18 general admission; $15 for seniors/military/students. Tickets at the door $20. Congregational Church of La Jolla. 1216 Cave St Purchase on line at: www.lajollaucc.org Saturday, March 19 @ 10:00pm The Whooligans The Auld Dubliner 71 S. Pine Avenue Long Beach, CA www. aulddubliner.com Saturday and Sunday,March 19 & 20 Celtic Festival at FAIRPLEX Sligo Rags, Anerican Wake, Quel Bordel, and many more Celtic Bands. Pomona, CA www.fairplex. com See ad and feature this issue

Most Thursdays Early Solo Show with Irish Balladeer Ken O’Malley The Auld Dubliner 71 S. Pine Avenue Long Beach, CA www. aulddubliner.com www. kenomalley.com The Shamrock Irish Pub and Eatery 39252 Winchester Rd. #145, Murrieta, CA. 951 696.5252 Live Music Every Weekend Ope Mic, Karaoke & Comedy Every Week too! www. theshamrockirishpubandeatery. com Tuesday, March 22 @ 8:00pm Cherish the Ladies The first all-women Celtic music ensemble delivers a spectacular concert every time! Pepperdine Center for the Arts 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90263 S Tickets Only: $20-$40 Box Office: 310 506 4522 Monday - Friday, Noon to 5 PM and two hours prior to show time! http:// arts.pepperdine.edu/performances/ cherishtheladies.htm Special Event Wednesday, March 23 1916 Easter Rising Commemoration 7:00pm The Red Leprechaun 4000 E Anaheim St, Long Beach, CA 90804 562 343-5560 www. redleprechaun.com

CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

Irish Arts & Entertaniment

y r te ner o or PC

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Dublin Magic

By Greg Patrick

“Only to a magician is the world forever fluid, infinitely mutable and eternally new.

Only he knows the secret of change, only he knows truly that all things are crouched in eagerness to become something else, and it is from this universal tension that he draws his power” - Peter S. Beagle

Streetlamps by the grand Georgian houses cast their iridescent shimmer upon the cobblestones, like vassals lining a prince’s walk, casting tribute at his feet or like apparitional warpaint on the embattled street, ..lit in intervals by firelight.. beckoning to men’s desire for it’s immolation kindred to the moth’s to the flame.. as a figure composed and reflective as a monk before immolation.. perhaps one of the rebels, staggered back coughing from the barrage of gunfire, standing alone amid the throng in silhouette against a foreground of flame oblivious to the passerby that streamed past, walking in somnambulist’s slow-motion..His face and the great house’ facades were lit in intervals by the artillery that echoed deafeningly in the alleys of the urban warzone..

Not all can be an island, one with rebellion at the heart and song at the soul around a sea of storm..a world devoid of magic, haunted by one who dreamed in song and vision.. he stood as ever he had on stage before an expectant or disenchanted and departing audience.. what new trick to conjure..?

He did not feel of the people..he was an enigmatic and mysterious presence to be held in awe not in anything akin to familiarity.. He only concerned himself with the illusions of escapism and theatre not the realities of their lives..Just unseen props to distracted eyes..the tears, pub laughter, wakes and embraces..A pang sometimes of regret or craving but he was concerned about what new trick he could craft..Couldn’t linger too long…

Aloof so long in hermitage of his study brooding over ways to conjure wonders that would ever be enigma to the crowd..to ever transcend their awareness..the art of magic.. illusion..artifice..trickery.. He turned away from the crowds of the city, the individual faces and stories behind the sadness, smiles, or anger.. Reality was their lot..Magic was his. Until one day one of them showed him true magic..if ever truth and magic could be one..

The face he saw in the crowd on that day that the leaves from the Autumn-reddened tress fell like red dreams as if haling her in the crimson light . eyes impossibly startlingly green..How? The same sense of wonder was his then as if he was audience merely and uninitiated in anything akin to the magic arts..eyes gleam in counterspell and suddenly he is conscious then of being just another nameless face among myriads..A passing glance..and as if suddenly standing before the stage in lingering wonder after a disappearance he pauses in lost searching thought..till he is shoved aside impatiently and he staggers to regain his stride.. He stands then before the marquee at the Magic Theatre with a feeling of being out of place..mist gathers, rain falls...the stage-illusionist’s hand falls to his side like a yielded sword after a lost battle…

He thinks of her.. The trees had shed their leaves..the boulevard seems haunted.. It was Easter..he strolled by the Liffey kicking emptybottles in his path.. The theatre is closed for the holiday.. A solitary walk by the Liffey ..his sigh as one with the wind rippling it’s dark surface..

Gunshots? A familiar face then in a city of strangers..a familiar race then.. for life..for desires..some desires in windows..some that money can’t buy that make one pause..

He never thought to run for something..he could always make something appear..anything.. it was his trademark..what he did..None did it better..

A creative soul he knew not the desire to destroy.. but to imagine and then create..The trees by whose red falling leaves like red debris of dreams broken, he first saw her.. caught fire then like great torches..and he remembered her as a nomad’s gaze would be

haunted by a mirage..he stood motionless as burning leaves fell around him like a tribute to a sad dark prince returned.

A moment of startling recognition in someone’s eyes, a former audience member he had once called onto the stage, now fell face-forward to stray bullets with a last cry and another collapsed to their knees by their side, cradling the head and sobbing..He didn’t feel like a magician then..didn’t feel like anyone..powerless..helpless..There was almost an expectant hush as he rolled up his sleeves in his way, as he did on the stage at a challenge from the crowd, from a heckler..”Now let’s see some real magic!” There was something ancient in the gesture as if a druid of a clan being massacred was looked to for some trick he could conjure..”anything wizard..just save us..You’re a magician aren’t you..?”

He strode then, not fit to appear on the stage, haggard, disheveled. He looked beyond them..to her..”You’re a magician aren’t you..?” The phantom words seemed to echo in the alleyways like gunshots..”aren’t you..? Do something..do something..” He ran then.. limbs ungainly, unathletic to her.. He fell to his knees to her.. “Drop!” Through the lantern-illuminated rain, red streaks of volleys appeared..

He held her protectively as if to render her invisible to their aim, dissolve form and face to their guns..Felt her heart beat in synchrony with his own against the rhythym of marching drums..her sides heaving.. ”What’s your name lass?.” “What?”..”Your name..

Please..I must know..” When she answered he repeated it like the title of a song requested to a soloist busker on a long walk home from the theatre as the bell tolls..He repeated it like an incantation..

The mist, as if from an overturned cauldron, came as if willed..as if conjured protectively..He raised a warding palm in slowmotion as if in the act of keeping that abbotoir of fire at bay..The embrace like the frail bastion of a sandcastle against a rising tide..his untrembling hand like the gauntleted and sword-armed fist of a knight confronting a dragon for a last battle.. as if he had now mastery of another magic among magics.. As if the wild firelight and shadows ceased their dance and were granted one form and face to mingle with the passerby, he strode through the smoking burning ruins as if they were harmless props.. holding back coughing..making his entrance..as if called onto the stage the applause for the magician preceding him stinging his ears..his lips whispering a soundless incantation..the explosions of return fire when the smoke cleared..in the aftermath of the artillery that tore the rebel bastion like the mauling of a dragon lent the ventriloquism of a battlecry to his heart.. His eyes burnt with a dark lightless fire with a counterspell to wield against the fires before him..As if with weary sleepless eyes he had pored over a library of magic spells to find just the right one.. blowing the dust off an ancient volume.. he paused like a rebel before a firing squad.. The book opens seeping light like a door ajar.. Likewise his bright eyes open to defy a rival magic..

Might would make right..the rule of tyrants..but it’s practitioners were a blundering awkward lot..like the ogre of nightmare.. Easily fooled.. His smile was that of the fox, one of mocking beckoning guile before advancing hounds and huntsmen trying to draw them away from his own..“You want to kill my own hunters? Let’s see how fast you can really move..how fast you can think..”

He cast off his dark cloak revealing one of showman’s crimson that would catch the stagelight dramatically as advancing forms materialized through the clearing smoke like theatre curtains parting..

Draw their eyes and fire away from those fleeing around him.. The steeple bells tolled around him in alarm..each ring like a depth charge in his soul in synchrony with each step with grim finality..

There was a time to bow to a crowd and time to make a stand for them.. His was a humble theartre in Dublin..no patrons of the gentry or royalty..he was not accustomed to bowing to them..nor would he.. He had fallen to his knees before one who ruled his heart at a glance..her hat had come off like a doffed helm and a crimson cascade of hair fell as grandly a heart in love and he held her as if he alone could shied her like a guardian angel shielding a rebel angel’s soul from the fires and evil she sought to escape from..

His gaze keen as a rapier blade drawn and coat billowing in the fire-stirred gusts was cast aside with a matadorian flourish blowing away across the cobbles.. An expectant hush befell..more unnerving than the echoing explosions..as if all the combatants waited..who would dare the next act..

He had felt the concealed revolvers holstered at her sides.. Knew why she ran..knew

PAGE 24 what would happen if they found her today with them.. The shadows of the pursuing Blacks and Tans loomed over.. His last magic trick.. Dumb-witted audience of simpletons he sneered..eyes accustomed and trained, like the surgeons in the audience…never to miss a detail..they were schooled for years and years..not to miss anything.. likewise to men who were drilled and drilled to never miss a detail or move.. in searches..

A look of wonder on her face..Unarmed?..How..? Then at his reassuring smile..a familiar face of posters hastened past in the rain..a comprehension..I know your face..Magician..

How? I never tell anyone how.. Never..But a truth behind deception was betrayed in a look that said why he did it.. How..? I’m a magician..I take that secret to my grave..to my grave.. “Nothing on her..This isn’t the one” Their eyes glared at him..

They shoved her aside roughly..

“Get up..We’re going to search you” Behind the looming figures he heard a single shot and the one kneeling mourning the fallen ceased their crying..And a mind brooding over a spell, like one scanning over an arsenal of strategy made a final choice for a last stand..

His face betrayed no emotion, no guile.. “Hey, he looks familiar..I think I saw his face on a poster..” “A wanted poster..?” “I don’t think so..for a show maybe..?”

He soundlessly mouthed “run” to her..Their eyes met..He knew magic then..He felt awkward when their eyes first met..he cursed himself later that he hadn’t conjured some rose or some gift when he paused mid-stride at first sight..Now he smiled..”A last enchantment lass..then..farewell”.. there was truth to it..Everything seemed magic.. the city seemed a beautiful and enigmatic wonder.. cast in resplendent crimson light by artillery rounds..and the Liffey itself seemed to burn, like liquid flame..His breath steamed in valediction like a smoking gun in the chill air..It’s tone of a man in love..

A city of dreams..of magic. How he would miss it.. He knew it was over..as if by a ventriloquist’s art the statues of warriors and orators seemed to chant his name..like an audience before the curtain falls..pleading for a last trick..”One more!” “One more!” He rose as if in reply to the chanting..his hands were deceptively languid as he raised them from his sides..

The hands of the others were accustomed to the quick draw of firearms in the urban warzone.. But he was a magician..a conjurer.. Their eyes never followed.. The act was perfect.. There was no applause.. For once he didn’t need it..

He seemed to hear in ghostly echo the words he often heard in awe-inspired tones.. the question he was asked again and again..”How did you do that..” ..”How did you do that..?” after his silhouette in the stagelight was like a dark question mark as he bowed to the applause..

The deafening shriek of artillery shells like all the clan banshees of Ireland bemoaning the slain and the blinding explosions would not come between their farewell..for there were ways and words known by heart and as he pivoted towards her for a last look of Orphean valediction..expressive eyes offered their song like an endearment betrayed and bespoke by gaze alone heard across a crowded room..in pantomime like a stradivarian chord his hand extended outward from his heart to her as he turned back to the fire, smiling in that cryptic way, half sad at the aloofness of mystique..

But gone in that moment was the mystery..he had conveyed all to her..there was no deception..an awkward farewell to magic.. He appeared a man then..like any other.. But that..was an illusion.. He wasn’t…

His gaze keen as a rapier blade drawn and coat billowing in the fire-stirred gusts was cast aside with a matadorian flourish blowing away across the cobbles.. An expectant hush befell..more unnerving than the echoing explosions..as if all the combatants waited..who would dare the next act..

One standing, his hands ceased from tearing her clothes and their eyes met like two duelist’s blades sparking.. before his eyes met hers..and never strayed from them even as a gun was raised over her shoulder his fist entwined in her hair.. and she no more than a shield to the butcher.. He drew a rapier blade.. The thug smiled gloatingly..a mere trick..”Shadow-fencing? I’ve seen it.. Harmless..” “Harmless?” his voice like a lion’s purr in the primal dark.. “Not the way I do it..” he slashed at the soldier’s shadow alone as he cocked the gun.. He clutched his chest and gasped dropping the weapon as a red gash opened on his chest.. Again shadow was slashed..and he recoiled letting go of her hair.. a cut opening on his face.. He groped for another revolver as if ghosts mauled him.. He screamed as he stumbled back towards the Liffey cuts opening all over him.. On the

Irish Arts & Entertaniment brink of the river he looked up then..

The magician advanced like a black knight after a dragon.. He placed his hand protectively over her shoulder and cast his cloak over her.. Before raising his prop sword like a rifle..

Any last words..? How di.. I never tell anyone.. hudya..” he stuttered..

“Those are your last words..?

Fancy learning to read before learning to use a gun..Your kind never do..” He grabbed for his gun then shrieked as cuts opened,,as if he were raked by a tiger’s claws.. and as if he were fired on in short proximity his clothes caught fire.. and staggered backwards screaming into the Liffey to extinguish it but weighed down by arms disappeared into the cold dark waters..They stood side by side then..eyes meeting.. a moment in time like us all.. A vulpine smile tugged at his lips at the memory..”Now for my last act..”

The eyes that looked beyond the fallen soldiers into her eyes had the same look of wonder that he saw mirrored in his own eyes as he stood before the crowd after a trick.. a poem written on the city skyline, against a burning dawn, she seemed crowned in fire..

He closes his eyes as he does when reaching into his hat on stage.. he envisions himself like a ghost approaching his poster before the closed theatre and tracing a heart in blood before and the words the “great” as the rain washes it away distorting the colours and image too like a carnival funhouse image..then it appears again like a painting in fastforward and he sees her picture next to his on the poster..the letters reform at his beckoning..He turns away and his eyes open to the present..

Sharpshooters on the rooftop aim at him as he stands with smoking gun.. He turns to his “assistant”..I am the magician of Dublin..I can make anything disappear.. He shoves her away into the mist..”Run”..”Disappear!” He turns to the men of the roof smiles unbowed.. A smile that said “you’ll never know how I did it..”

Years later a fashionable woman pushed a carriage along and paused to sigh after others escorted along the way..The shadow by her side spoke.. “Excuse me Miss..?” Her eyes looked up and before a gasp of startling recognition her eyes were drawn to a silver necklace dangling in his hand like a hypnotist’s gem… “I believe you dropped this..” “The chain trailed from his hand like his words steaming in the chill air..like a smoking gun..

“I lost this..centuries ago..” “Centuries..?” “It feels that way..years ago..” “It was torn from my neck as a man fell over the bridge..” Her eyes looked over the Liffey envisioning the nightmarish scene.. Then her eyes sought him again..”How did you..?” “I never tell that Miss..You know that..” As if a slain warrior was granted one return to visit a mortal lover in the world of the living..he stood like an apparitional presence..smiled faintly.. eyes sad then.. Like a king of hearts reshuffled into a gambler’s deck he disappeared into the crowd crossing the bridge over the Liffey in the sunset as if back to the mists of legends he had strayed from..as if he was never there..

About Greg Patrick A dual-citizen of Ireland and the US, Greg Patrick is an Irish/Armenian traveler poet and the son of a Navy man. Also a son of the Traveling People. He is a former Humanitarian Aid Worker. Patrick also cared and trained with great horses for many years. About one of his favorite places, Patrick states, “I love the wilds of Connemara and Galway in the rain and I have written many stories there.” Well traveled since he was young; Patrick spent his youth in the South Pacific and Europe. He currently resides in Galway, Krakow, and sometimes the states. He now writes and travels full time.

Irish Arts & Entertaniment

PAGE 25

Who’s Your Daddy

J

OHNNY O’CALLAGHAN’S one man show Who’s Your Daddy? chronicling the adoption of his Ugandan son has played to Sold Out houses in LA, New York, Edinburgh and Toronto. The show opens in Dublin, Ireland this fall. The movie version is in development, optioned by Olympus Pictures, and expected to hit screens in 2017.

The play and film tells the true and hilarious story of Johnny O’Callaghan’s life being saved by a starving Ugandan orphan. The story takes place when the LA actor’s personal relationship ended abruptly.

Heartbroken, he agreed to help a friend film a no budget documentary about AIDS orphans in Uganda on the border of The Congo and Rwanda. The play follows Johnny’s nine-month gripping adventure where he wakes up to his highest potential and becomes a father. Johnny O’Callaghan confronts and exposes social and racial issues. Breaking through the stigma of single fatherhood and the near impossibility of adopting an African AIDS orphan, Johnny’s voice strikes a resounding funny and touching chord in the hearts of all audiences.

It’s a unique opportunity to bring awareness of pivotal issues of our times; in this case the plight of Ugandan AIDS orphans. The spirit of this play dissolves barriers of racism and old paradigm beliefs around fatherhood and the stigma of HIV. JOHNNY O’CALLAGHAN just completed CAGED at Theatre Banshee and will perform at the Hammer Museum for Bloomsday 2016. He also teaches meditation and has a therapy practice in the Hollywood Hills. O’Callaghan began acting in Ireland with the Belfast Youth and Community Theatre, to unite Protestant and Catholic actors. The New Theatre School followed in Boston. After graduation he quickly became a member of Actors Equity. The North American premier of Conor McPherson’s Rum and Vodka followed in New York, LA and Toronto leading to recordings with NBC and HBO. Other Off-Broadway successes include Howie The Rookie and the sold out hit Ladies and Gents in the toilets of Central Park at The Irish Arts Center. The Hostage at The Irish Repertory Theatre.

Regionally he played the gigolo Anatol in the classic The Affairs of Anatol

by Arthur Schnitzler, The Lonesome West, The Live Full Monty. He joined the sci-fi world by recurring as Niam on the TV series Startgate Atlantis.

Other film and TV credits include Joyce Carol Oates’ We Were The Mulvaneys, CBS’ The Agency with Beau Bridges, the Independent hit Clutch, the CBS movie of the week Deep In My Heart with Anne Bancroft, Haven’t We Met Before with Nicolette Sheridan and Marin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York. He most recently completed the miniseries ZOS Zone of Separation and Forest for Comedy Central. He has played the role of Stephen Dedalus in Bloomsday on Broadway.

For more information check out johnnyocallaghan.com, follow him on facebook and instagram.

CELEBRATES IRISH FILM BE A PART OF THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF IRISH FEATURE FILMS AND SHORTS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

TICKETS ON SALE APRIL 1ST

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT NEWPORTBEACHFILMFEST.COM

PAGE 26

Irish Arts & Entertaniment

The Celtic

Camera

D A A) A talented pair to be sure; pictured here at The Wilde Thistle are World renowned operatic sensation Orla Boylan and her big brother Celtic Artist Brian Boylan!

B) Erin and Katie at the Irish Import Shop in Hollywood! Stocking Irish goodies to the rafters getting ready for Paddy’s Day is a family business for the grand-daughter and daughter of Dublin native and owner. Anne Colburn

B

C) Irish TRaditional Band, The Praties on a fine Saturday night last fall at The Wilde Thisle in Palms D) LA based Celtic Artist, Steve O’Loughlin has created dozens of murals for Schools, libraries, public parks, churches and private commissions. A recent Altarpiece for Holy Nativity Church in Westchester is pictured here. Easter is soon upon us and it a wonderful year to see this magnificent work!. O’Loughlin combines Celtic elements into the public art, which has become a staple of his artistic style.

C

Irish Arts & Entertaniment CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 name which was released to great reviews and audience appreciation in 2006. The show features the Academy Award-winning music and lyrics of Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, a book by awardwinning Irish playwright & screenwriter, Enda Walsh (Penelope, Hunger, The New Electric Ballroom), direction by the acclaimed Scottish director of Black Watch, John Tiffany, movement by Steven Hoggett (Black Watch, American Idiot) and music supervision and orchestrations by Martin Lowe (Mamma Mia!). The set and costume design are by five time Tony Award winner Bob Crowley (The Coast of Utopia, Mary Poppins), lighting design is by Tony winner Natasha Katz (Aida, The Coast of Utopia), and sound design is by Clive Goodwin.The 2007 Academy Award-winning film, ONCE, was written and directed by John Carney, and starred Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, with original music and lyrics by Mr. Hansard and Ms. Irglová.

ONCE is based on the Academy Award-winning film Irish film by the same name which was released to great reviews and audience appreciation in 2006. (See story on page___) The show features the Academy Award-winning music and lyrics of Glen Hansardand Markéta Irglová, a book by award-winning Irish playwright & screenwriter, Enda Walsh(Penelope, Hunger, The New Electric Ballroom), direction by the acclaimed Scottish director of Black Watch, John Tiffany, movement by Steven Hoggett (Black Watch, American Idiot) and music supervision and orchestrations by Martin Lowe (Mamma Mia!). The set and costume design are by five time Tony Award winner Bob Crowley (The Coast of Utopia, Mary Poppins), lighting design is by Tony winner Natasha Katz (Aida, The Coast of Utopia), and sound design is by Clive Goodwin. The ONCE tour cast will feature Stuart Ward (Guy), Dani De Waal (Girl), Ray Bokhour(Da), Matt Deangelis (Švec), John Gardner (Eamon), Donna Garner (Baruš ka), Evan Harrington (Billy), Ryan Link (Emcee), Benjamin Magnuson (Bank Manager), Alex Nee(Andrej), Erica Swindell(Ex-Girlfriend), Kolette Tetlow (Ivanka), Claire Wellin(Réza), Estelle Bajou, Stephen McIntyre, Zander Meisner, Tina Stafford, Tiffany Topoland Matt Wolpe. ONCE is produced by Barbara Broccoli, John N. Hart Jr., Patrick Milling Smith, Frederick Zollo, Brian Carmody, Michael G. Wilson, Orin Wolf, and Executive Producer Robert Cole, in association with New York Theatre Workshop.

Individual tickets for ONCE are available for purchase at www.

HollywoodPantages.com or www.Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800982-2787. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Hollywood Pantages Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets.

The Hollywood Pantages is located at 6233 Hollywood Boulevard, just east of Vine Street, and the box office opens daily at 10am except for holidays.

For tickets or more information about the Los Angeles engagement of ONCE, please visit the official website for Hollywood Pantages Theatre: www.HollywoodPantages.com.

PAGE 27 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16 Ireland worldwide. From a tourism perspective, it comes at a perfect time when many people are starting to plan their annual holidays. The Global Greening initiative is an excellent way to position Ireland in people’s minds and to get them thinking about paying us a visit. People everywhere – even those with no obvious connection to Ireland – demonstrate a strong affinity with St Patrick’s Day, with parades and celebrations taking place in countries right across the world. This is supported by broadcast, print and online media, ensuring widespread publicity for Ireland at minimal cost. In fact, Tourism Ireland estimates that its Global Greening and St Patrick’s promotional programmes generate positive publicity worth in excess of €10 million each March. “Spanning Great Britain, Mainland Europe, North America and Australia, as well as developing markets such as China, India and South Africa, the Global Greening is seen from Nelson’s Pillar in London to the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, with new sites being added each year. I want to congratulate Tourism Ireland for their excellent work in securing such an impressive and widespread list of landmarks going green and I look forward to seeing the new additions lighting up for the first time next month.” Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: “This is the seventh year of Tourism Ireland’s Global Greening initiative and each year I am delighted to see even more well-known attractions and landmark sites wishing to get involved and join our St Patrick’s celebrations.

“The success of our Global Greening initiative is due in no small part to the great work that has been carried out across the world by Irish people down the generations and, in particular, to the great support we’ve received from the Irish embassy network and the Diaspora. The eagerness of cities and countries everywhere to take part underlines the strength of the deep connection that people all over the world feel to Ireland. More than 70 million people around the world claim links to the island of Ireland and St Patrick’s Day is a truly unique opportunity to reconnect them with their heritage.

“People across the world instantly identify St Patrick’s Day with the island of Ireland and that heightened profile allows us to put the Ireland holiday experience in the spotlight – from Sydney to London and Tel Aviv to Rio de Janeiro. Our St Patrick’s programme will span Great Britain, Mainland Europe, North America, Australia, as well as emerging tourism markets such as China, India and Brazil. There will be saturation coverage of the island of Ireland across the airwaves, in newspapers and digital media – and that’s an invaluable boost at this time of year for our overall tourism marketing drive in 2016.”

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Irish Arts & Entertaniment

Impressive Array of IRISH MUSIC Just In Time for St. Patrick’s Month!

Accuradio’s St. Paddy’s Party Channel Adds Real Emerald Isle Revelry to March

S

hamrocks and green beer are all well and good, but the real heart of an Irish celebration beats in the music, the way it holds us together through thick and thin.

AccuRadio, the fastest-growing webcaster* knows how to channel the Irish spirit. It also knows partiers don’t want to dig for the perfect reel or ballad. They want to find the heartwarming and authentically raucous with just a few clicks. That’s why the platform provides fourteen Irish- and Celtic-themed channels—and why its curators have distilled the most fun and rowdy selections into its “St. Paddy’s Party” channel.

While only some of us have roots traceable to these cultures, many Americans feel a striking affinity with Celtic music. “Even people with no connection to Irish, Gaelic, or Scottish cultures are still likely to find these channels easy on the ears,” explains AccuRadio Executive Vice President for Programming Paul Maloney. “Much of American modern music has roots in Irish music,” he notes. “Since Irish people immigrated in great numbers not that long ago, the people and their music have an outsized influence on contemporary American culture.”

The webcaster’s Celtic channels were originally conceived and programmed by Emmy-nominated Irish singer-songwriter Michael Londra, currently on US tour with his wildly popular ensemble, Celtic Fire. This is no exception: AccuRadio relies on human curators, not algorithms, to craft tailor-made listening experiences. Its dozen human curators are expert radio programmers who are superfans of their genres.

Even after the official party is over and hangovers subside, St. Paddy’s Party listeners often dig deeper into the history of Celtic sounds and check out the other channels dedicated to Celtic music. They include Radio Celt, Calling All Pipers, Celtic Legends, Celtic Love Songs, Celtic Men, Celtic Women, Celtic Rock, Easy Celtic Pickin’s, First Fiddle, Progressive Celtic, Songs of the Sea, and Traditional Celtic.

AccuRadio’s St. Patrick’s Day channels: http://www.accuradio.com/featured/stpats CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 to Dublin to celebrate with our home industry and with my colleagues and friends.”

Neeson’s most recent projects include Taken, the final instalment of the blockbuster trilogy, and Run All Night, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, which were released in 2015. Liam can be next seen in Silence, directed by Martin Scorsese and A Monster Calls in which he co-stars alongside Felicity Jones and Sigourney Weaver. Both movies are set for a 2016 release. In 2014, Neeson appeared in Seth MacFarlane’s comedy A Million Ways to Die in the West as well as the hit comedy Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. In that same year, he also starred in Scott Frank’s crime thriller A Walk among the Tombstones, director Jaume Collet-Serra’s Non-Stop, and in writer/ director Paul Haggis’ romantic drama Third Person. Liam lent his voice to a number of animated features in 2014 including: The Nut Job, produced by Open Road Films and directed by Peter Lepeniotis; Phil Lord’s hugely successful The Lego Movie; and the animated adaptation of Kahlil Gibran’s book The Prophet, where Neeson was joined by John Krasinski and Salma Hayek. In 2012, Neeson reprised his role as unstoppable CIA operative Bryan Mills in Taken 2, the successful follow-up to the 2008 hit crime thriller Taken. He also starred in Peter Berg’s actioner Battleship, appeared in The Dark Night Rises for director Christopher Nolan, played Zeus in the blockbuster Wrath of the Titans, and starred in Joe Carnahan’s thriller The Grey, which topped the box office in its opening weekend.

Neeson made his Broadway debut in 1993 receiving a Tony® Award nomination in the Roundabout Theater’s revival of Eugene O’Neill’s 1921 drama Anna Christie, co-starring Natasha Richardson.

He also received a Tony Award nomination for Arthur Miller’s The Crucible in 2002 in the part of Proctor.

Irish Arts & Entertaniment California -

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Irish Community Calendar

- By Date

Concerts • Musical Events • Classes • Irish Dance • Socials • Special Events • Theatre Saturday, March 26 @ 9:00pm The Whooligans O’Malley’s on Main Seal Beach, CA Saturday, March 26 6:pm to 8:pm Gaelic League presents: Talks and Entertainment to commemorate The Rising!

Accompanied by music, poetry & film clips The Wilde Thistle Café Palms/ Los Angeles Monday, March 28 @ 8:00pm KATIE MCNALLY AND NEIL PEARLMAN The vibrant musical traditions of Scotland and Cape Breton The Coffee Gallery Backstage 2029 N Lake Ave, Altadena, CA

of Easter Monday Rising As part of the worldwide commemorations to mark the Saturday, April 16 6:pm to 8:pm centenary of the 1916 Rising, M. Finbar Hill, Hon. Consul Gaelic League presents: Eoin Mac Néill /Freedom of Thought General of Ireland and Regional The Wilde Thistle Café Palms/ Los Bishop David G. O’Connell of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles invite Angeles you to participate in a special commemoration at St. Cornelius SAVE THE DATES Catholic Church in Long Beach, Sunday, April 24 Watch Here California.

History shows that The Easter Details TBA Rising was the forerunner Irish Spotlight Newport Beach Film Festival and to IRELAND’s Freedom and After-Party at Muldoon’s Irish Pub Independence following almost http://newportbeachfilmfest.com 600 years of foreign domination.

Ireland was the first modern Sunday, April 24, 2016 @ 2:00pm nation to cast off the bonds of colonialism taking its inspiration Centennial Commemoration 91001 626 398-7917 www.coffeegallery.com

from the United States. Music and program Produced and Directed by Ken O’Malley St. Cornelius Catholic Church 5500 E Wardlow Rd Long Beach, CA 90808

THE HARP INN IRISH PUB Great Entertainment Every Night!

Karaoke, Pub Quiz, Open Mic & Live Music Harp Inn Irish Pub 130 E. 17th St. Costa Mesa www.harpinn.com O’Brien’s Irish Pub The Sports Pub with the Irish Heart!

Sunday Evenings LA area’s Only OPEN Irish Session Drop by for dinner & stay for the Craic! 7:30pm or so... Join the fun!

CHECK OUT THE GROUP O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Restaurant 2226 Wilshire Blvd (at 23rd.) Santa Monica, CA 310 829-5303 www.obriensla.com

www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?pn=irishnewsusa

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Irish Arts & Entertaniment

The Irish Are Rising in LA

Would you like some Irish language and culture with your tea?

March is the month of the Irish. St. Patrick’s Day has us all getting decked out in green. What do you do if you want to learn more about being irish than just dressing in green? Good news. There’s an organization for that.

Conradh na Gaeilge (sounds like Kunra na Gaylgu), otherwise known as The Gaelic League has been in existence in Ireland since 1893, preserving and promoting Irish language and culture. It was instrumental in saving the language and inspiring a revival in Irish literature and music. Indeed many of those who were inspired by the revival also took part in the 1916 Rising that led to Ireland finally breaking free of British colonial rule. The Los Angeles branch of the Gaelic League is just over a year old now and is here for those in Los Angeles who really want to experience Gaelic culture.

That means Scottish, Irish, and Manx (from the Isle of Man, an island between Ireland and England where the cats have no tails) languages and cultures are within your reach right here in LA. At The Wilde Thistle Café in Culver City, on any given Sunday, you will hear live music, see people break into Irish dance or talk to each other in Irish, Scottish, or Manx. A Gaelic choir tunes up in the early morning here. Games in Gaelic, a book club, and a conversation group are also part of the activities on any given Sunday.

Classes for beginners are free. The Manx self-study group is beginning to string sentences together. That is no small acheivement considering that this was a language that had been declared dead not too long ago.

Now it coming back with strength.

Just in case that wasn’t enough to spark your interest, on one Saturday a month, you can learn why 2016 is so important to the Irish in a series of talks and entertainment lined up to mark the centenary of THE 1916 RISING, a rebellion which led to Ireland shaking off English Colonial rule in most of the country.

So Tulach Ard, as Outlanders would say or Buail Isteach (Drop in) as the Irish would say or Caghlaa obbyr aash (A change is as good as a rest) as you might hear on the Isle of Man: you can get your Gaelic on right here in LA. Gaelic Sundays: 11:00am Gaelic Choir & Gàidhlig/Manx group 12:00 Irish 1 1:00 Irish 3 2:00 Irish 6 3:00 Book Club 3:00 - 6:00 Irish Dance Session Saturdays Talks and Entertainment to commemorate The Rising 6pm – 8pm at The Wilde Thistle Cafe Los Angeles Accompanied by music, poetry & film clips.

The Celtic Camera

C

A) Dublin resident Director Lenny Abrahamson at SBIFF B) Santa Barbara Mayor Helene Schneider at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in February, acknowledging guests to the city from Dingle, Ireland.

C) Irish Actress Saoirise Ronan was honored for her role in “Brooklyn”

B

March 26th: Towards Revolution / Free and Gaelic April 16th : Eoin Mac Néill /Freedom of Thought May 21st: Seán Mac Diarmada / Irish in America June 18th: Women’s Role / Cultural Revival July: Break August 20th: Dúbhghlas de hÍde /The Start of the Revival September 17th : After 1916 / The Gaeltacht October 15th: Oscar Wilde / Irish as a Living Language November 19th: Play – TRANSLATIONS by Brian Friel December 17th : Reimagining Ireland / Lessons IRISH IMMERSION WEEKEND (off-site): 29, 30 April & 1 May Contact: cnaglosangeles@gmail.com for more details

A

Irish Arts & Entertaniment

PAGE 31

Heart! h is Ir e th h it w b u Sports P e h t is ’s n ie r ’B O

March 17th

Paddy’s Day OPEN @ 6AM DROP BY FOR IRISH BREAKFAST Starting at

11AM

THE SHENANIGANS

with Tom Lee

Full Breakfast Menu too

Start Your Day with an IRISH COFFEE! In the

4PM

Bagpiper

Evening

9PM

Tunes with Live... DJ

O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Restaurant 2226 Wilshire Blvd.

Santa Monica (at 23rd. & Wilshire) 310-829-5303

www.obriensla.com Open 7 Days a Week: Mon.—Fri. 11:45am-2am Sat.—Sun. 11am-2am

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Irish Arts & Entertaniment

Celebrate All Things Celtic March 19-20 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

2016

• Shopping, food and pubs • Traditional dancing • Irish rock bands and traditional Celtic music • Jousting demonstrations • Sheepherding demonstrations

Admission:

$10 adults, $5 ages 6-12 Ages 5 and younger free with paying adult

Buy Tickets at CelticFaireAtFairplex.com 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768