In honor of the 100th anniversary of The Great Gatsby, the Celtic Junction Arts Center is presenting an event series exploring the legacy of F. Scott Fitzgerald, his Irish American identity, and the Jazz Age culture that shaped his work.
Taking place in Fitzgerald’s birthplace of St. Paul, the event series will feature a book launch, historical seminars, and a Gatsby-style speakeasy dance—bringing the music, literature, and cultural influences of the era to life.
The festivities begin on April 10 as several key participants in our series—including historian Patrick O’Sullivan Greene, Irish Consul General Brian Cahalane, and CJAC Executive Director Natalie Nugent O’Shea—take part in a public reading of The Great Gatsby hosted by the Minnesota History Center. This live reading marks the exact 100th anniversary of the novel’s original publication.
Highlights include:
Book Launch: Gatsby: Death of an Irishman
April 11 | 6:00 PM | Free Event
Award-winning Irish historian Patrick O’Sullivan Greene presents the North American release of his new book, Gatsby: Death of an Irishman – F. Scott Fitzgerald and His Search for Identity. This groundbreaking study explores how Fitzgerald’s Irish Catholic heritage influenced the creation of Jay Gatsby, shaping themes of self-invention, ambition, and cultural conflict. The evening will include a reading and author discussion, followed by a reception.
Gatsby Speakeasy Dance with Patty and the Buttons and singer Connie Evingson HEADLINE: Connie Evingson
April 11 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM | $20
Following the book launch, the night transforms into a 1920s speakeasy with live jazz, swing dance lessons, and vintage revelry. Attendees are encouraged to dress in period attire and enjoy signature cocktails and café refreshments in an immersive Gatsby-themed setting.
Known for her sophisticated interpretations of jazz standards and swing-era tunes, Connie Evingson has performed at Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis and appeared on A Prairie Home Companion. Her ten acclaimed albums have all charted in the Top 50 in the U.S. and Canada, reflecting her broad musical appeal.
The Sinn Féin Feis and Irish Culture in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s St. Paul
April 13 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Free Hybrid Event
Attend in person at Celtic Junction Arts Center or join online via Zoom. Library Director Brian Miller explores Fitzgerald’s formative years in St. Paul and the vibrant Irish American cultural scene that surrounded him. Topics include Shamrock Club riverboat cruises, Sinn Féin Irish dance competitions, Lady Gregory’s visit, and local Irish musicians—providing a historical backdrop to the influences shaping Fitzgerald’s identity.
100 Years of The Great Gatsby
April 14 | 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Free Zoom Webinar
Scholars Dr. Lynette Reini-Grandell and Dr. Patrick O’Donnell explore The Great Gatsby, examining its literary influences, historical context, and themes of the American Dream, materialism, and disillusionment. The discussion includes how James Joyce and John Keats shaped Fitzgerald’s lyrical style and examines the social and cultural dynamics of the 1920s and their relevance today.
Celebrating Fitzgerald’s Legacy in St. Paul
As the birthplace of F. Scott Fitzgerald, St. Paul holds a unique place in literary history. This series of events honors his legacy by exploring the cultural influences that shaped his writing and recreating the spirit of the Jazz Age through literature, music, and dance.
Author Patrick O'Sullivan Greene @POSG visited St. Paul, MN, and received a whirlwind tour of F. Scott Fitzgerald's haunts by Executive Director Natalie O'Shea and Education Director Patrick O'Donnell. His new book 'Gatsby: Death of an Irishman' is available for preorder. pic.twitter.com/9Z3FIrYihE
— Celtic Junction Arts Center (CJAC) (@celticjunction) September 28, 2024
About the Celtic Junction Arts Center
The Celtic Junction Arts Center (CJAC) is a unique arts center offering multi-disciplinary instruction, research facilities, and state-of-the-art performance spaces in the Creative Enterprise Zone of St. Paul. Voted “Best Irish Center/Festival in North America" by Irish Central's Creativity and Arts Awards, this world-class, intimate venue has been hosting traditional and contemporary music concerts and events since 2009. CJAC is home to several organizations including the Center for Irish Music, the Irish Fair of Minnesota, Ireland Network Minnesota, and O’Shea Irish Dance
