5 Irish Arts Center videos to catch up on
I’m sure the majority of us have a long list of places to explore and activities to enjoy when the world opens back up again and here at low trees it’s no different. Although hugs at home, a rainy day in a small café and a quiet one in Coughlans will not leave the top three, a visit to New York’s Irish Arts Center certainly rides high on the agenda. Formed in 1972, the Big Apple-based cultural institution is:
dedicated to projecting a dynamic image of Ireland and Irish America for the 21st century
Essentially keeping the link between the diaspora in New York and Irish culture alive and alight, benefactors of the IAC include Liam Neeson, Roma Downey, Gabriel Byrne and more. A multi-disciplinary organisation, the West 51st Street centre has a broad remit from all types of performance (music/poetry/theatre/dance) to visual arts and education. Lined up for virtual performances in the coming weeks include:
Declan O’Rourke (14th April)
Irish Language Day (18th April)
Shrines (7th May)
Loah (15th June – commission premiere)
Here are five stand-out videos to give you a taste.
1. Doireann Ní Ghríofa
Award-winning author of 2020’s A Ghost in the Thoat, Irish poet Doireann Ní Ghríofa introduces her 2016 reading of her poem ‘At Half Eleven in the Mutton Lane Inn, I am Fire, Slaughter, Dead Starlings’. The reading itself was recorded in 2016 as part of PoetryFest, the Irish Arts Center’s annual three-day celebration of rhyme and verse.
2. Inni-K
The music of Eithne Ní Chatháin (aka Inni-K) stands strong like a finely-crafted bridge between traditional Irish music and language to modern folk and techniques. Check out her 2019 performance of Sweet Geranium from 2015’s The King has Two Horses Ears.
3. Tobi Ometeso
The IAC are at the heart of ensuring final works are not only seen but completed in the first place. Shot between Clare and his current home Limerick, artist and choreographer Tobi Omoteso‘s film Departure was developed as part of the centre’ Grásta: Grace in Uncertainty commissions series.
4. Collaborations
Arts Centre’s primary role for many is to produce an environment conducive to creation and collaboration. Jazz legend Cassandra Wilson dropping in on Clare fiddle virtuoso Martin Hayes and long-term musical-partner-in-crime Dennis Cahill‘s 8-day residency at IAC for a rendition of Neil Young’s Harvest Moon is filmic proof of that. Pure magic.
5. Aoife O’Donovan for Patrick’s Day
The Grammy-award winning Irish American country singer Aoife O’Donovan is no stranger to these shores. Teaming up with guitarist Kris Drever, Transatlantic was commissioned by the IAC and released in team for St. Patrick’s Day 2021.
To learn more about Irish Arts Centre, NYC visit irishartscenter.org
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