Irish American Writers & Artists’ November salon packed the private room at The Ellington restaurant on Broadway and 105th Street on the 19th of the month. Writer Anthony Murphy (call him “Murph”) organized and hosted a terrific, diverse program of poetry, storytelling, fiction and music.
Two of our writers had personal stories set on hot summer days. Mike Veve recounted an incident on the subway heading downtown from Inwood. “Such A Lovely Face” is an appreciation of his uptown neighborhood – and distinctly urban story, when a kid on the train menaces his companion.
Brigid Moynahan’s “On Ballston Beach” happened on a lovely day on Cape Cod. Her daughter Lucia, then just four years old, was having a meltdown when they encounter another mother and child from Lucia’s preschool class, the mother seemingly a “perfect mom.”
Proud to report that the online “MuseLetter” of his poems, essays, reviews, and illustrations has completed its 20th year, Ron Vazzano shared some of that work. “Trains, A Christmas Story” captures his childhood desire for an electric train set. Ron’s “I Keep A Journal” has this wisdom: the journal is “in lieu of keepsakes.”
Writer and editor Suzanne McConnell read from her novel, “Fence of Earth.” A young woman is in speech class at a California University on Nov. 22, 1963, when they hear that President Kennedy had been shot and the gorgeous California sun makes the dark news hard to fathom. More from Suzanne: “Pity the Reader: On Writing with Style” by Kurt Vonnegut and Suzanne McConnell.
An actor/singer, Daniel Harnett showed his unique comic talent performing a routine about birds fighting—which our cerebral host Murph likens to Beckett. Daniel read from his journals filled with free association and wordplay.
Melanie Beth Curran’s mission is recovering “weird old Irish or Irish American songs.” In fact, she’s a scholar/songwriter inspired by the traditional music of America, Ireland and Brittany. Melanie sang a 1930s song “Don’t Judge A Man by the Clothes He Wears” and an original one she authored in that eccentric style.
Margaret McCarthy read from her brand-new collection “In the Becoming: Poems on the Deirdre Story” (Broadstone Books), which presents Ireland’s mythological heroine in her own voice. Critics note not only her “exquisite imagery” but that in Margaret’s hand, Deirdre (of the Sorrows) “…once a victim, (is) now a seeker…”
Thom Molyneaux is a seasoned actor, director, playwright, teacher and critic. His play “The Women of Kilmainham” was part of the 2024 Origin’s 1st Irish Festival. Tonight, he gave us a taste of his solo show about iconic monologues: Chaucer, Williams, Shakespeare. Thom offered inspiration from Arthur O’Shaughnessy’s “Ode” (1873):
“We are the music makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams…”
John McDonagh, noted storyteller, host on WBAI Radio and creator of the solo show, “Off the Meter,” performed here and in Ireland, updated a story from his NYC cab driving days. Years ago, he accepted an IOU for two pints in a Dublin bar, becoming briefly famous…
Annalisa Chamberlain an actor in television, independent films and theater, (2024 1st Irish Festival; the Friel Project at the Irish Repertory) is blessed with a beautiful voice. She sang two original, personal songs, tentatively called “Wild Child” and “Come Away.” Her a capella performance brought the night to a perfect close.
Our Holiday Salon will be Monday, Dec. 16, 7 p.m. at The Ellington. For updates, please check https://iamwa.org.
Salon says 'Sláinte' in Oakland, Calif.
By Lori Cassels
Slainte Oakland, Calif., welcomed Irish American Writers & Artists on Nov. 13 for a grand evening with authors and musicians at the mic.
Robert Anderson is a singer/songwriter who writes both for solo acoustic performance and full arrangements for alternative rock with influences from classic rock, blues, and country. He has an album of originals available at rwaproject.com with another record planned for release this year. Robert was joined by Slainte regular Baldwyn on guitar and Heather on cajon, as he performed a rousing original “Beauty All Around Us.” A cover of “Born to Run” was also part of his set.
Kelsey Goeres, who is a poet as well as the managing editor of the Alameda Post, shared thought-provoking and humorous poems. She began with a coincidentally ironic one titled ‘Small-Town Bar on a Wednesday,” which all the bar on this particular Wednesday night enjoyed. Kelsey finished with “My Friend Calls Herself a Bitch,” which paid homage to the sort of loyal, strong-willed friend that many wished they had.
Heather Moore-Farley, Baldwyn Chieh, Amelia Hogan, Robert Anderson, Lori Cassels and Kelsey Goeres were among the participants in the West Coast IAW&A Salon.
Renowned singer Amelia Hogan graced us with three songs, “Lark in the Clear Air,” “Rolling in the Gold” and “Chi Mi Na Morbheanna.” Hogan is an impeccably authentic singer of Celtic music, and her deep understanding of the tradition comes through in honeyed tones on Irish-, Scottish-, English- and American-styled vocals. Her singing is strongly influenced by her deep roots in the Irish Sean-Nós or “old style” tradition. A recent recording, “Taking Flight” can be found on Bandcamp and YouTube. For more about her go to www.ameliahogan.com.
Also, Tony Bucher, president of Irish Literary and Historical Society of San Francisco, told the Slainte Salon about the upcoming monthly events.
Finally, your diarist and host ended the evening by reading from an article that I published in Irish America magazine, a memoir piece about my grandmother, Kate Connolly from Sligo, and I sang an original song “Katie with the Smiling Eyes,” from my CD “Tear of the Clouds.”
