Out & About

What a stunner of a World Cup with the USA and England not making it to the next round; well it happens right?

The reason I am talking about it now is that over the weekend every bar and restaurant were packed to capacity with cheering fans and doing the great business that is needed in this economy, but it's not over yet and we have a lot more action on the way for the next two weeks.

From my travels around New York there was a good feeling that the World Cup is taking place. I visited a number of the bars showing the games including The Galway Hooker on East 36th Street, the Pig'n'Whistle on West 36th Street, Lillie's Irish Victorian Bar and Restaurant on 17th Street and Union Square, Public House (East 41st Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues), O'Casey's Irish Pub between Madison and 5th Avenue, Dresner's Bar & Restaurant (on York Avenue), Nevada Smiths (on 3rd Avenue), Tracks Raw Bar & Grill in Penn Station and Eamonn's Bar & Grill (on 45th Street, between Madison and 5th Avenue).

Believe me, I went to a few more as well; now I know what you're saying, don't tell me that he had a drink in every one? No..! Well, not at the one time... just to keep you guessing... somebody has to do it right?

The Minster of Tourism Culture and Sports Mary Hanafin T.D. is in New York on Monday to promote Ireland with Tourism Ireland and in association with the National Archives of Ireland and the Consulate General of Ireland to launch a new Tourism Ireland marketing campaign and the digitalization of the 1901 and 1911 Irish census.

Roisin Fitzpatrick is a contemporary Irish artist and designer whose work I viewed in Soho last week. It is just beautiful for a woman that went thru so much with her health and recovered.  She has created a new and innovative art form.  Her style is a fusion of light, Swarovski crystal and silk, with light being the true medium of her art.  Roisin's art is inspiring and uplifting and she herself radiates a passion and enthusiasm in sharing her art.

She is also into tango music and she is inviting you all to share an evening to celebrate the joy and magic of life at the Lincoln Center Theater on Wednesday (June 30th) and to walk around the Opera House to the to the opposite side and listen to the tango music and dance from 8pm onwards. 

She will bringing some cakes and drinks (no alcohol - as it is not allowed but you can buy it there!).  All are welcome and you can email her at info@roisinfitzpatrick.com. T

he Irish Repertory Theatre will be presenting a special engagement of Frank McCourt's 'The Irish... And How They Got That Way', marking the one-year anniversary of the passing of the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of 'Angela's Ashes'.

The show is directed by Charlotte Moore ('Ernest in Love,' 'Finian's Rainbow,' and the recent 'Brigadoon' concert on Broadway). The Irish Rep is at 132 West 22nd Street and for more information call (212) 727-2737. 

Ed Malone's hysterically hilarious Irish explosion 'Three Irish Widows Versus The Rest of the World' opens on June 10th at the Singers Forum (49 West 24th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues). It'll be playing on July 1st, 8th, 20th, 27th and 29th and August 12th, 19th and 26th.

All shows begin at 8pm. Tickets are $15. For more information, call (646) 384-0009.

Ed Malone is an actor, writer and clown, who was born in Cork City in southern Ireland. He obtained diplomas in theater performance and improvisation from the London College of School and Music.

In 2005 he attended the prestigious Ecole Jacques Lecoq in Paris, France. The following year he trained for one year with the legendary french clown Philippe

Gaulier, completing an intensive diploma in performance encompassing clowning, expressive masks, acrobatics, and mime.

Gaulier is best know in America as the man who trained the English clown Sacha Baron Cohen (the creator of 'Bruno' and 'Borat')

Ed's first solo show, 'The Self Obsessed Tragedy of Ed Malone', was a huge national success in Ireland, touring the country to great acclaim. The Irish Times described it as "The theatrical highlight of 2006." This play was later performed, along with its sequel 'The Self Obsessed Tragedy of Ed Malone, Chapter 2', to sell out runs in New York City at Stage Left Studios in March 2009.

Ed's third solo piece 'The Three Irish Widows Versus the Rest of the World' is currently receiving critical and cult acclaim (nytheatre.com: "Do yourself a favor go see this play!")

Ed is in the process right now of adapting the play for film. Ed, now that we know you're from Cork Mary Power the President and Mae O'Driscoll will be looking for you to perform at the Cork Association Club on Greenpoint Avenue in Queens since we need to liven up the place with a few laughs... Maybe you will get to meet another great Cork entertainer: the one and only Donie Carroll... now that would be nice with two top stars in the one room.

There are lots of things happening over the next week most especially The Irish Examiner Newspaper's 2nd Annual Woman of the Year Awards, where we will be honoring Sheila Lynott, the First-Vice President of the Irish Business Organization of New York with a special evening at Eamonn's Bar & Grill. This award is well-deserved since she has made a great contribution to the Irish community here in New York. 

See you all next week