Irish Arts Center to present Several Events for St. Patrick's Day

The week of March 11-17, the acclaimed Irish Arts Center in New York City will offer a series of events in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. The programming, which spans art forms-music, literature, dance-and genres within them, epitomizes the Center's commitment not only to putting forward the best of Irish and Irish American culture, but also to fostering fusions of that culture with others from across America and around the world.

First up, March 11 at Symphony Space, is the 6th Annual Celtic Appalachian Celebration, IAC's rousing tribute to the thriving Irish and Appalachian traditions and shared musical lineage. With constantly evolving material and an unmatched energy, the folklorist, musician and National Heritage Award-winner Mick Moloney takes the stage with Athena Tergis and The Green Fields of America, a group that includes the 2016 NEA National Heritage Fellow Billy McComiskey, as well as a star-studded ensemble of musicians, singers, and dancers.

The evening will feature special guests Erynn Marshall and Carl Jones showcasing their southern song-duets and soaring fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and banjo tunes; New York City's own Megan Downes with dancers from City Stompers; and darlings of the Brooklyn folk world, Anna and Elizabeth.

IAC's annual Open Day, on March 12, gives families the chance to get to know the Center's wide range of arts and education offerings. The place will be abuzz with authentic music and dance performances, and filled with chances to try out some of the 40+ adult and children's classes that are on offer throughout the season. Attendees can learn the basics of Irish language or a new dance step, get their face painted, create art with children's crafts or simply relax with a cup of tea and experience a taste of Ireland's rich culture.

On St. Patrick's Day (March 17), Irish Arts Center undertakes the 7th annual edition of one of its most beloved programs: Book Day, in which the Center pays homage to Ireland's rich literary tradition by giving the public free books by some of the country's-and Irish America's-most celebrated writers, in locations across New York City. This year, exemplifying IAC's emphasis on creating bridges to other cultures, the Center is partnering with the Mexican consulate and Mano a Mano to offer books by Mexican and Mexican American authors as well. IAC will also be holding a fundraising drive involving well-known artists sharing pictures of themselves holding up their favorite Irish book, with the tag #GetLit on #IACBookDay. Donations can be made by visiting irishartscenter.org/getlit. With hundreds of titles to choose from ranging from children's books to poetry, and fiction, nonfiction and translated books, there is something for every New Yorker at one of the many pop-up stands IAC will set up across all five boroughs.

Irish Arts Center Executive Director Aidan Connolly, says, "Book Day embodies what Irish Arts Center is all about: celebrating our culture by sharing it freely with people of all backgrounds. We are proud to bring the beauty and dynamism of Irish literature to the diversity of our great city."

Featuring:

Celtic Appalachian Celebration
Featuring Mick Moloney, Athena Tergis and The Green Fields of America (Brendan Dolan, Billy McComiskey, Liz Hanley, Jerry O'Sullivan)
With Special Guests Erynn Marshall and Carl Jones, Anna & Elizabeth, Megan Downes and the City Stompers, Haley Richardson and Jake James
March 11 at 8 PM
Symphony Space?
Premium Orchestra Seats: $60 / Rear Orchestra: $50 ($40 members) / Balcony: $40 ($32 members, $25 students & seniors)

Open Day
March 12 at 12 PM
Irish Arts Center?
FREE??

7th Annual Book Day
March 17 at 7 AM start
Citywide?
FREE

About Irish Arts Center

Founded in 1972, Irish Arts Center is a New York-based arts and cultural center dedicated to projecting a dynamic image of Ireland and Irish America for the 21st century, building community with artists and audiences of all backgrounds, forging and strengthening cross-cultural partnerships, and preserving the evolving stories and traditions of Irish culture for generations to come. Our multi-disciplinary programming is centered around three core areas: Performance - including live music, dance, theatre, film, literature, and the humanities; Exhibition - including visual arts presentations and cultural exhibitions that tell the evolving Irish story; and Education - with dozens of classes per week in Irish language, history, music, and dance.

Located in New York City, a global capital of arts and culture, Irish Arts Center serves as a dynamic platform for top emerging and established artists. Irish Arts Center is currently developing plans to construct a new facility to serve our multi-disciplinary program and will be the strongest possible gateway for artists to reach into our cultural community and nourish their work, to connect with our partner institutions who help them innovate, and to become visible in the New York City media market which enhances their ability to achieve U.S and further international success.

The New Irish Arts Center will contain a purpose-built, state-of-the-art contemporary performance space for music, dance and theatre seating up to 160; industry-standard back of house and support facilities to allow artists to achieve their vision; a second, intimate performance space - the renovated historic Irish Arts Center theatre - optimized for live music, literature, film, talks, large classes and special events; classrooms and studio space for community education programs in Irish music, dance, language, history, and the humanities, and for master classes and workshops by visiting and resident artists; technology capability to project the Irish Arts Center experience on the digital platform; an avenue-facing café lobby to engage with the neighborhood and provide a social setting for conversation and interaction between artists and audiences; a beautiful new courtyard entrance on 51st Street where the historic Irish Arts Center building and the new facility meet.

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