ST PAT’S with DARRAH CARR DANCE, LIZ HANLEY and CHARLES R. HALE at LEHMAN COLLEGE

The Institute for Irish American Studies, Lehman College: City and Humanities and Artists Without Walls presents a celebration of Irish music and dance with Darrah Carr Dance, singer/guitarist Liz Hanley and emcee Charles R. Hale, Thursday, March 17, 12:30pm. Studio Theatre, Lehman College, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY. Click here for directions

 

Performing with Darrah Carr Dance will be Jonathan Matthews, Mary Kate Sheehan, Brigitte Gillis, Laura Neese, Trent Kowalik, Alexandra Williamson and Darrah Carr. 

DarrahCarr-Cuts

DARRAH CARR DANCE at ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Darrah Carr Dance showcased excerpts of “ModERIN SWINGS! Darrah Carr Dance with Tara O’Grady & her Black Velvet Band” during AWoW’s Fourth Anniversary celebration at The Cell Theatre on February 23rd. The dance company premiered this collaboration in November 2015 as part of their annual NYC season at the Irish Arts Center. 

 

Jonathan Matthews and Laura Neese
Jonathan Matthews and Laura Neese

Using inspiration from O’Grady’s original songs, as well as the Andy Cooney Band, Darrah, the groups’ Artistic Director, has provided exuberant works for the company’s outstanding dancers. Dancers for the Artists Without Walls’ celebration included: Darrah Carr, Jonathan Matthews, Laura Neese, and Mary Kate Sheehan.

 

Matthews and Neese began the set dancing to Tara’s rendition of Irish Rover. They were followed by Mary Kate’s modern dance to Tara’s “Black Velvet Band.” Their last piece, an Irish step dance, included Darrah, Jonathan and Laura, which was performed to a track from The Andy Cooney Band.

 

Mary Kate Sheehan
Mary Kate Sheehan

As a reviewer for the New York Times wrote “Darrah Carr Dance…putting a new wrinkle into New York modern dance with a program of pieces that add Irish step dancing to the modern mix.”  So true. Their performance was sensational.

 

Darrah Carr, Jonathan Matthews and Laura Neese
Darrah Carr, Jonathan Matthews and Laura Neese

And the ever gracious Darrah ended the evening proclaiming, “Many congratulations on Artists Without Walls’ four year milestone and thank you so much for including us!”

 

Photos by Vera Hoar

DARRAH CARR DANCE at ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' ANNIVERSARY SHOWCASE

Join Darrah Carr and a great collection of performers at Artists Without Walls’ Anniversary Showcase, Tuesday, February 23 at The Cell Theatre, 338 West 23rd St., NYC.

 

Darrah is the director of Darrah Carr Dance, a Bessie-Award nominated Irish dance company that specializes in ModERIN: a unique combination of traditional Irish step and contemporary modern dance. NYC performance highlights include: a return appearance on NBC’s “The Today Show,” a guest performance with The NY Pops at Carnegie Hall, a benefit engagement at Jazz at Lincoln Center, “Victory Dance” at The New Victory Theater and “The Yeats Project” at the Irish Repertory Theatre.

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Darrah Carr Dance. Darrah (center)
Darrah Carr Dance. Darrah (center)

The company has performed at venues throughout the US including MASS MoCA, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, The Yard at Martha’s Vineyard, the San Jose Fleadh and the company’s annual New York season at the Irish Arts Center. Darrah is also a respected scholar of Irish dance and has presented her research findings at the Congress on Research in Dance, the World Dance Alliance, and Dance Research Forum Ireland.

 

The doors and bar open at 6:45

ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' MEMBERS "ON THE TOWN" WEEK of 11/9/14

AWoW at Rockwood
AWoW at Rockwood

“Artists Without Walls at Rockwood Music Hall,” 196 Allen St., Wednesday, November 12th, 7:00pm. (Doors open at 6:30) Come and be entertained by Deni Bonet, Warren Malone, Aisha Badru, Jack O’Connell, Tara O’Grady and Sasha Papernik. Tickets $20, members using the discount code $15. Click here to buy tickets now


Sana Musasama
Sana Musasama

Social activist and ceramic artist Sana Musasama‘s show “Whispers and Echoes” is now at Hunter College, at the corner of 68th St. and Lexington Ave., NYC, through November 14th. Visitors will need to get a “guest pass” from the main entrance, next to the enormous black cube. You may then use any entrance to reach the Thomas Hunter Project Space, located in the basement of the Thomas Hunter Building. Visitation by appointment the weeks of October 26-November 14th also available. Please call or email with any questions: musasama@hotmail.com or 646.361.3861

 

Darrah Carr Dance
Darrah Carr Dance

ModERIN: DARRAH CARR DANCE at the Irish Arts Center, November 14 – 16, Friday & Saturday | 8 pm and Sunday | 3 pm.  Featuring Choreographers: Christopher Caines – Darrah Carr – Seán Curran.

 

“Irish culture embraces the world in works by Darrah Carr.” New York Times

 

Tickets are $25, but AWoW members receive a $7 discount and pay $18. Write to info@artistswithoutwalls.com for the discount code.  Family Shows, $15 Saturday & Sunday | 11 am. For a complete schedule and to buy tickets on line click here or by calling 866-811-411

 

Renata Hinrichs' "Random Acts"
Renata Hinrichs’ “Random Acts”

RANDOM ACTS, written and performed by Renata Hinrichs, will have its final performance in the United Solo Festival, Friday, November 14th at 7:30. Theater Row 410 West 42nd St., NYC.  Tickets are $19.25 at the door or click here

 

 

 

ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' MEMBERS "ON THE TOWN: WEEK OF 3/16/14

unnamed-7Kickoff your St. Patrick’s Day by tuning into NBC’s Today Show on Monday morning! Darrah Carr Dance will be performing on the plaza at 8:00am & 8:30am EST

 

 

 

 

 

 

safe_image-2.phpArtists Without Walls, Lehman College: The City and Humanities Program and The CUNY Institute for Irish Studies are co-hosting a concert by the University College of Dublin Choral Scholars on March 18, 6:30pm at Lehman College, 250 Bedford Ave, Bronx, in the Studio Theatre. Reception to follow.

 

 

 

Honor Finnegan
Honor Finnegan

Honor Finnegan will be appearing at the BWC Coffeehouse at the Bronxville Women’s Club, 135 Midland Ave., Bronxville, NY, Friday March 21st 8:00 – 10:30. Honor will be co-billed with Kelly Flint and will be accompanied by guitarist Aviv Roth. $5 suggested contribution. 

Honor will be appearing at the Acoustic Cafe, at Our Lady of Mercy Church, Park Ridge, NJ, Saturday, March 22nd, 8pm. Tickets are $20 in advance and $22 at the door. Proceed benefit the OLM Haiti scholarship fund. Aviv Roth will accompany Honor on guitar. 

"DARRAH CARR DANCE" at HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY, TUESDAY, FEB 18, 2:15PM

Darrah Carr Dance sources from two genres, traditional Irish step and contemporary modern dance. Darrah pulls in two directions, one toward tradition and another toward innovation, and seeks to create dance in the space between. Dance in Ireland traditionally happened at a crossroads, which is exactly what Darrah has planned for Artists Without Walls’ Showcase at Hofstra University. It’s called, “Dingle Meets Diwali.”

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Darrah Carr Dance
Darrah Carr Dance

Darrah Carr, Artistic Director & Choreographer of Darrah Carr Dance, currently teaches at Hofstra University and is doctoral candidate, pursuing a PhD in Dance through Texas Woman’s University. She has been named one of the “Top 40 Under 40“ by The Irish Echo one of the “Top 100 Irish Americans of the Year“ by Irish America Magazine, and one of the “Most Influential Women of 2010“ by The Irish Voice.

 

Darrah Carr
Darrah Carr

Darrah has been active for over fifteen years in both the Irish and modern dance communities as a choreographer, dancer, educator, and writer. In addition to her work as the Artistic Director of Darrah Carr Dance, Darrah has collaborated independently with a number of esteemed artists. She served as the assistant choreographer to Seán Curran for the TONY award winning Broadway musical “James Joyce’s The Dead“ and has set original works on Trinity Irish Dance’s Junior Company, the Nassau Dance Theatre, and the Mise Eire Irish Dancers. 

 

Darrah has had the privilege of performing with many renowned musicians including: Mick Moloney, Natalie MacMaster, Andy Cooney, and Arlo Guthrie & The Vanaver Caravan. Carr has performed on NBC’s “The Today Show,“ and New York 1. She can also be seen tapping away in “The Guru,“ a feature film starring Heather Graham. Carr’s own work is the subject of a New York University Master’s Documentary entitled “Reel Steps“ and she choreographed the film “Right Foot/Left Foot.“

 

Brigid Gillis
Brigid Gillis

Dancing with Darrah Carr Dance will be Brigid Gillis and Mary Beth Sheehan. Brigid Gillis is a native Long Islander, who started her formal dance training in competitive Irish dance and later explored her passion for modern dance at The College of Brockport SUNY, where she acquired her BFA. Brigid has performed in various professional venues in New York City with Zehnder Dance and Darrah Carr Dance.  

 

 

Mary Kate Sheehan
Mary Kate Sheehan

Mary Kate Sheehan began her dancing career training in Irish step dancing, ballet, and jazz. She competed in Irish step dancing for over 15 years on the international level, placing in the top 10 in the World. She moved to New York City in 2010 to shift her focus to modern, contemporary, and ballet as a pre-professional trainee at the Joffrey School. 

 

Join us at Hofstra University, Tuesday, February 18, 2:15pm in the Helene Fortunoff Theater located in Monroe Hall.  This is a free event sponsored by Hofstra’s Irish Studies Program with a generous grant from the Hofstra Cultural Center. 

ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' MEMBERS "ON THE TOWN": WEEK of 11/24/13

 

Darrah Carr Dance
Darrah Carr Dance

Darrah Carr Dance and ModErin: The 15th Anniversary Season. The Irish Arts Center, 553, W. 51st St. Today, Sunday Family Show 11am and  a regular performance today, Sunday, 3pm . 

ADMISSION: $25 non-member / $20 member / $15 family show / Use code DCD20 and pay the IAC member rate – while supplies last!

TICKETS: www.irishartscenter.org or 866-811-4111

 

 

Tara O'Grady
Tara O’Grady

Tara O’Grady will be live in Belfast on the Stuart Baile program at BBC Radio Ulster, Monday. Tune in at 10pm Irish time, or 5pm New York time. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radioulster

 

 

 

 

Antoinette Montague
Antoinette Montague

Antoinette Montague and the Band of Bones will be appearing at The Zinc Bar,  82 W. 3rd St., NYC, Monday, November 25, 2013, 8pm and 9:30 shows

 

 

 

 

Paul Bevan, Deni Bonet and Andrew Holmes-Higgin
Paul Bevan, Deni Bonet and Andrew Holmes-Higgin

Artists Without Walls’ Showcase at The Cell Theater, 338 West 23rd St., NYC. Tuesday, Nov 26, 7pm.

"SPOTLIGHT ON" DANCER/CHOREOGRAPHER DARRAH CARR

 

unnamedWho is Darrah Carr?

 

Artistic Director of Darrah Carr Dance, a New York based Irish dance company that specializes in blending traditional Irish step with contemporary modern dance.  Adjunct Professor of Dance and Irish Studies at Hofstra University.   Ph.D. Candidate in Dance Studies at Texas Woman’s University.  Freelance Writer for a variety of publications including: Dance Magazine, Dance Studio Life, Dance Teacher, Dance Insider and New York Irish Arts .

 

unnamed-1Do you have upcoming events you’d like people to attend?

 

Darrah Carr Dance is delighted to be celebrating our 15th Anniversary Season at the Irish Arts Center from November 22 – 24. 

 

We will be premiering several new works, including one by guest choreographer Seán Curran!  To commemorate our anniversary, Macater Press has published a retrospective artist catalogue of our repertory entitled ” ModErin Contemporary Irish Dance Works-Darrah Carr”  We will be having an Opening Night Reception and Book Launch immediately following our performance on Fri, Nov 22.

 

What honors have you received?

 

Most recently, Darrah Carr Dance and guest choreographer Seán Curran were nominated for a 2012 Bessie Award for “Dingle Diwali: Outstanding Production of a Work that Pushes the Boundaries of a Traditional or Culturally Specific Form.”

 

I’ve also been honored to be named “One of the Top 40 Under 40” by the Irish Echo, “One of the Most Influential Women of 2010” by the Irish Voice, and “One of the Top 100 Irish Americans of the Year” by Irish America Magazine.  Darrah Carr Dance has also received the New York City Comptroller’s Irish Heritage Award.

 

unnamed-2What is ModErin and how did it develop?

 

ModERIN is a term that I’ve coined to describe my choreographic interest in drawing from the tradition of American modern dance and the tradition of Irish stepdance in order to create a blended style of contemporary dance choreography.  The fusion of two words – modern (dance) and ERIN (an Irish American reference to Ireland) symbolizes the creative fusion of two dance disciplines as seen in the work of Darrah Carr Dance.  The structure of Irish dance – revealed in its percussive rhythms, its spatial patterns, and its traditional music cycles – provides a wonderful template for modern dance choreography.  Modern dance, in turn, frees the torso from the rigidity of Irish dance and frees the body to work with gravity, to engage in counterbalance and non-gender specific partnering, and to use the floor as an extension of one’s kinesphere.  ModERIN is not just a descriptive term for two styles sharing the same stage side by side. Rather, it is a choreographic principle, a tightly woven marriage of modern dance freedom and Irish dance structure. 

 

Who are the dancers you admire, past and present?

 

Seán Curran – our guest choreographer – for his visual wit, exquisite artistry, incredible generosity, and overall boundless energy & enthusiasm. 

 

Tim O’Hare – for his elegant grace and the bottomless patience that he displayed as my first teacher.

 

David Parker – for his rhythmic genius.

 

Michelle Dorrance – for her amazing virtuosity.

 

Mark Morris – for his intense musicality.

 

unnamed-3Who is your greatest inspiration and why?

 

The 55 dancers who have been part of Darrah Carr Dance over the last 15 years are my greatest inspiration.  They brought the choreographic vision to life and their talent and dedication has never ceased to amaze me.  I am especially inspired by the beautiful dancers that I am currently working with for our upcoming season including: Chris Armstrong, Louise Corrigan, Brigid Gillis, Erin Hayes, Timothy Kochka, Caitlin McNeill, Niall O’Leary, Laura Neese, Melissa Padham, Mary Kate Sheehan, and Alexandra Williamson. 

 

If you could dream of trying something in the arts you haven’t tried, but would like to, what would that be?

 

I would love to be a singer – although I have an absolutely horrible voice! 

 

Or – a drummer – which might be a tad more realistic given the rhythmic training that I have in Irish dance. 

 

What was the best gift that someone gave you that inspired or facilitated an interest in your art?

 

My parents enrolled me in both Irish dance and ballet lessons as a child.  They dutifully drove me to rehearsals and competitions day in and day out for years on end.  I remain eternally grateful that they laid the foundation for me and encouraged me to explore my passion for dance to the fullest.

 

Photos from top to bottom:

 

1) Darrah Carr solo shot.  Photo Credit: Lois Greenfield
2) Darrah Carr Dance – 15th Anniversary Season & Book Launch Information. Photo Credits: Matthew Murphy
3) Darrah Carr Dance performs “Dingle Diwali” our 2012 Bessie Award nomination by guest choreographer Seán Curran.
4) Darrah Carr Dance shot.  Photo Credit: Lois Greenfield

 

Darrah Carr Dance Website

 Darrah Carr Dance Facebook Page

Darrah Carr Dance Twitter

 

 

 

ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS MEMBERS and FRIENDS "ON THE TOWN": WEEK of 11/17/13

_DSC87091Honor Finnegan will be performing Sunday, November 17th, at Music at Lily Pads @ UUCSC.  Joni Mitchell’s Blue: A 40th Anniversary Celebration, 3:00pm, 27 North Road, Peace Dale, Rhode Island. $15.  Honor will also be performing at  The Underground, Sunset Rodeo Wednesday, Nov. 20th, 7:00 – 9:00, 955 West End Ave New York NY.  In the round with Sharon Goldman, Fred Arcoleo, and Mangus Ferguson. 2-drink minimum per person 

 

 

Tara O'Grady @ Winnie's LoungeTara O’Grady will be performing at the Mercy Centre Bangkok Concert at the Irish Repertory Theatre, Monday, November 18 at 8:00pm with a cocktail reception at 6:45pm. $50 donation to Mercy Centre USA includes reception and a concert with some of the top Irish musicians including Joanie Madden, Martin O’Connell and Tony Demarco. All proceeds go directly to orphanage. Tara will also be appearing with her jazz trio on Wednesday, November 20, 6-9pm at Winnie’s Lounge in the Refinery Hotel, 63 W. 38th St. 

 

 

 

th-1Peter Quinn returns to theIrish Arts Center Tuesday, November 19, 7:30pm, to read from his recently released novel Dry Bones. This is the final installment of the detective Fintan Dunne series, which centers around an ill-fated OSS mission on the Eastern front during WWII and its consequences more than a decade later. Joining Peter will be Tara O’Grady, Mary Tierney, Honor Molloy and Dan Barry. Peter will follow with a Q&A during which you are sure to learn about his exhaustive research on World War II and the liberties a writer sometimes has to take with history.  Call 212-757-3318 and ask for the Artists Without Walls discounted tickets $8.

 

 

 


unnamedDarrah Carr Dance and ModErin: The 15th Anniversary Season. The Irish Arts Center, 553, W. 51st St., Nov. 22-Nov 24., Fri and Sat 8pm, Sat and Sun Family Shows 11am. Sunday 3pm . 
ADMISSION: $25 non-member / $20 member / $15 family show / Use code DCD20 and pay the IAC member rate – while supplies last! TICKETS: www.irishartscenter.org or 866-811-4111

 

 

 
 

ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' MEMBERS ON THE TOWN: WEEK of 11/10/13

AwakeningThere is a reception for artist Sana Musasama from 2-5 today, Sunday, at the Kingsborough Community College of the City University of New York in the Art Gallery,  Ground Floor–Arts and Science Building–2001 Oriental Boulevard, Brooklyn, NY. Sana’s show “In Reawakening” is running through November 29. 
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Seamus Scanlon
Seamus Scanlon

 

 

 

 

 

There will be a staged reading of Seamus Scanlon’s The Long Wet Grass in Tivoli New York, Sunday Nov 10th at 6 pm.  Tangent-Arts Theatre

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honor Molloy
Honor Molloy

 

 

Honor Molloy will be part of a themed reading “when we were young” hosted by Mr. Devin Doyle, featuring Honor and four other talented writers: John “Chance” Acevedo, Nancy Agabian, Christine Kendall and Anna Voisard. You can find their bios here: http://boundlesstales.com/readings/november-2013/  Thursday, November 14th @ 7:30pm at Waltz-Astoria (23-14 Ditmars Blvd)

 

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hope_mcpartlan_sm

Irish Traditional singer and Fulbright Scholar Mary McPartlan and legendary jazz pianist Bertha Hope will be performing an evening of American blues, folk, and Irish songs at the Irish Arts Center, 553 W51st St on Thursday, November 14. The concert will see both their styles and history merging together to create a new earthy, colorful and playful canvas for these two genres. Bertha and Mary first met at an Artists Without Walls’ Showcase and they are making their debut at the Irish Arts Center.  Tickets are $30 but AWoW members can click here to order tickets for $20.  https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/929161/prm/IAC  The discount can also be redeemed by entering the code manually when buying tickets off the Irish Arts Center site or by mentioning it when calling the box office at 866-811-4111.

 

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unnamedThe Irish Arts Center will be hosting ModERIN: The 15th Anniversary of Darrah Carr Dance with guest choreographer Seán Curran. (Also featuring the book launch of “ModERIN: Contemporary Irish Dance Works – Darrah Carr Dance”).  November 22-24 Friday & Saturday | 8 pm Sunday | 3 pm Family Shows: Saturday & Sunday | 11 am  Opening Night Reception & Book Launch – Friday, November 22nd! *Special $18 discount for AWOW members!  Call: 866-811-4111 or https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/926667/prm/AWW

 

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_DSC87091Honor Finnegan will be performing on Friday, November 15th at the Minstrel Coffeehouse.  She will be opening for John Forster 8:00 pm | $8 Morris County Cultural Center Morris Township NJ 07005 US 973-335-9489.  Honor will be performing on Saturday, November 16th in Concerts at the Crossing.  She will be opening for John Gorka 7:30 pm. 268 Washington Crossing Rd Titusville NJ 08560 US 609-406-1424  Aviv Roth will be joining Honor on guitar. For tickets and reservations, please check their website.