Weekend Playlist

Our transatlantic dance exchange, the far-reaching effects of a toothache, an international tale of derring-do, and a fox’s flattery of a feathered foe.

Plus, the launch party and livestream for Shrines’ new EP—5pm ET TODAY—and our free (inter)cultural lecture next week.

Here is your weekend playlist.

JOIN US TODAY

A woman turned away from the camera, looking at a body of water

"AT HOME WITH IRISH ARTS CENTER" in text

Shrines

The artist Shrines performs modern re-imaginings of Irish folk ballads—learned from Iarla Ó Lionáird, Karan Casey, and other masters of the tradition—to celebrate the release of her new EP, Our Ship is Ready. Cellist Chris Loxley accompanies.

Friday, May 7 | 5pm ET

WATCH ON YOUTUBE >
WATCH ON FACEBOOK >

WATCH & LISTEN

Two men wearing Irish step shoes, mid-step on tap boards in the middle of lane. Play button in middle of image.

The IAC NYC Irish Dance Festival

A world champion dance-off, top-class music, down-home jigs and reels, and more, in Sunday’s virtual Irish Dance Festival. Watch it again.

Screenshot of a man speaking at a lectern, with a play button overlaid

"IRISH ARTS CENTER POEM OF THE WEEK" in text

Stephen Sexton’s “The Chair”

The Forward and Rooney Prize-winning Belfast poet Stephen Sexton discusses the many expressions and reverberations of pain in a new introduction to his 2019 PoetryFest reading.

Illustration of two 1800s-era ships at sea, one large with an American flag, the other smaller with an Australian flag

“The Catalpa”

The story, and song, about the most daring jailbreak in history. Here’s Mick with the improbable escape of the Fremantle Six.

Illustration of a crow with its beak open against an abstract night sky

Préachán

There’s a great illustration of the word plámás—meaning to flatter someone with a hidden motive—in a well-known tale about a fox who spots a crow (préachán) sitting in a tree with a piece of cheese in his beak. Unable to reach him, the fox instead tells the préachán what beautiful a voice he must have, and could he sing a song for her? He starts to squawk away, the cheese drops, and the 🦊 nabs the prize.

Click image for more on the crow in Irish folklore.
Visit here for pronunciations.

COMING UP

Intercultural Connections with Mick Moloney: Ned Harrigan and the Rise of American Musical Theatre

Mick Moloney traces the musician, actor, playwright and composer Ned Harrigan’s meteoric rise to prominence in next week’s installation of Intercultural Connections. Free event, but registration is required.

Thursday, May 13 | 8pm ET

FROM OUR FRIENDS

Europe Day / Irish European Short Films

This Europe Day 2021, the Consulate General of Ireland in New York and Irish Screen America present a virtual program of seven Irish/European short films in celebration of the diversity of European culture and Irish filmmaking talents. All are FREE and available to stream from May 9, 6pm EDT through May 16. Get tickets here >