Irish Arts Center To Give Away Thousands Of Free Books On St. Patrick's Day

Irish Arts Center, a multidisciplinary center dedicated to bringing people of all backgrounds together through the excellence and dynamism of Irish arts and culture, announces this year's editions of beloved programs surrounding St. Patrick's Day: 20th Annual St. Patrick's Open Day (March 10), the 7th Annual Celtic Appalachian Celebration (March 15), and the 9th Annual Book Day (March 15). The programming exemplifies Irish Arts Center's unique role within the packed New York cultural landscape, as an organization that builds bridges between the traditional and the contemporary and between Ireland and other cultures across America and around the world.

Each St. Patrick's Day, with the help of its community of supporters and sponsors, staff and volunteers, IAC gives away thousands of free books by Irish and Irish American authors as well as those of other cultures, including in recent years Mexican (2017) and Caribbean (2018). For the 9th Annual Book Day, alongside titles by writers of Irish heritage, IAC shares stories by Asian American authors in a celebration of our different and kindred voices on this special day for the global Irish community. Free books will be given out at eleven Book Day pop-up stations across all five boroughs and one in Buffalo, NY, where there will be fiction, nonfiction, children's books, poetry, and books in translation to choose from. A full list is available HERE. IAC presents this year's Book Day inassociation with New York City Council, New York State Assembly, Literature Ireland, and Asian American Arts Alliance.

Rachael Gilkey, IAC Director of Programming and Education, says, During the most visible time for celebrating Irish culture in the States, Irish Arts Center Book Day is about celebrating the impact the Irish immigrant community has made standing shoulder to shoulder with other immigrant communities, through the power of telling our stories. Being across all five boroughs, with books for all reading levels, across all genres, and in multiple languages, is an equally important part of Book Day and ensuring that the message reaches as many New Yorkers as possible.

The other events surrounding St. Patrick's Day include music and dance performances and coupled with Book Day demonstrate the vast multidisciplinary scope of the work presented by IAC year-round. Hosted by renowned musician-folklorist Mick Moloney, IAC's 7th annual Celtic Appalachian Celebration returns to Symphony Space as part of the citywide Migrations series presented by Carnegie Hall. This rousing concert of traditional, old-time, and American folk music explores the shared lineage of Irish, West African, and Appalachian traditions, with performances by the Green Fields of America, New Ballards Branch Bogtrotters featuring 2018 NEA National Heritage fellow Eddie Bond, Jerron Blind Boy Paxton, and special guests.

IAC welcomes visitors of all ages to their 20th annual free open house Open Day an Irish favorite for kids and parents (Time Out New York) showcasing Ireland's rich culture. Attendees can join in a c il , have their faces painted, do arts and crafts, learn words as Gaeilge, try a traditional Irish instrument like the tin whistle or bodhr n or simply grab a seat and delight in the day's live music and dance performances. Activities include soda bread-making demonstrations and the U.S. premiere of Cartoon Saloon, Focus Films, and TG4's C l an T series of animated shorts celebrating the Irish song.

Open Day
March 10 at 12 PM
Irish Arts Center
FREE

7th ANNUAL CELTIC APPALACHIAN CELEBRATION
In partnership with Carnegie Hall
Friday, March 15 at 8pm

Premium orchestra: $65
Rear orchestra: $50 general / $40 members
Balcony: $40 general / $32 members / $25 students and seniors

At Symphony Space
2537 Broadway, New York, NY 10025

Featuring
Mick Moloney
Athena Tergis
and the Green Fields of America
Billy McComiskey, button accordion
Liz Hanley, fiddle and vocals
Brendan Dolan, piano and flute
Niall O'Leary, dance

with special guests
The New Ballards Branch Bogtrotters
Dennis Hall, band leader and guitarist
Eddie Bond, fiddle and vocals
Caroline Noel Beverley, mandolin and vocals
Bonnie Bond, bass and vocals
Josh Ellis, banjo and vocals

and Little Nora Brown, banjo
Stephanie Coleman, fiddle
Jerron Blind Boy Paxton, banjo, harmonica, and vocals

9th Annual Book Day
March 15 at 8am start
Citywide
FREE

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