Peter Quinn

TONIGHT in NEW YORK CITY: THREE GREAT ENTERTAINMENT CHOICES

Peter Quinn's "Banished Children of Eve" — **Peter Quinn’s “Banished Children of Eve”**

As part of its series of events for young readers in New York , Commonweal Magazine has invited Peter Quinn—good friend of Commonweal, award-winning author and really fun guy to be around—to read from his novel of Civil War New York, ‘Banished Children of Eve’ to celebrate its 20th year in print (Peter will bring books for purchase). It’s at Swift Hibernian Lounge, 34 E4th St., NYC, 7pm. And then Peter will hang out and share a drink; first round’s on Commonweal. So if you’re looking for useful writing tips, Bronx accents, original sin and local history, Swift is the place to be.

Tara O'Grady Jazz Trio — **Tara O’Grady Jazz Trio**

At 7:30pm Tara O’Grady and her band will be swinging at Winnie’s Prohibition Lounge, Refinery Hotel, 63 W. 38 Street at 6th Ave. 7:30-10:30pm. If you’re heading uptown maybe you can catch Tara’s act after Peter’s.

Or, if you’re staying in the East Village, not far from Swift will be singer songwriter Martina Fiserova at Rue 7 Social Club at Klimat Lounge, starting around 9:30pm. 77 East 7 Street (between 1 and 2 Ave). Prague native Martina will be celebrating her first year in NYC. She landed on the island exactly one year ago today.

"PORTRAIT" by ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' PRIZE WINNING WRITER KATHLEEN HILL

Ploughshares, an award winning literary magazine, has released “Portrait,” the latest story in the Ploughshares Solos Series by Artists Without Walls’ member, Kathleen Hill.

Young and inexperienced, Kathleen Hill moves to newly independent Nigeria with her husband to teach at Igbobi College. It is the early 1960s, and Kathleen is soon caught in the swirl of the times: the legacy of colonialism, chaos back in America, and violence and racism that reach across the globe, intruding even into the calm little school where she teaches her students literature. As a way of steadying and finding herself in this new place, she begins reading Henry James’ Portrait of a Lady, and there discovers disturbing resonances with her own life. Dedicated to Chinua Achebe, “Portrait” is a essay that pays homage to a vanished world and to the great books of English literature, both old and new, in all of their glorious and complicated diversity.

Kathleen Hill’s novel Still Waters in Niger was nominated for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and named a Notable Book of the Year by The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Chicago Tribune; the French translation, Eaux Tranquilles, was shortlisted for the Prix Femina Étranger. Who Occupies This House, a second novel, was named an Editors’ Choice at The New York Times. Her work has appeared in Best American Short Stories 2000, Pushcart Prize XXV, and The Pushcart Book of Short Stories. A short piece, “Forgiveness,” was recently included in Best Spiritual Writing, 2013.

Of Kathleen’s book Who Occupies This House, Artists Without Walls’ member, author Peter Quinn said, “In language at once lean and ripe with meaning, it frequently blurs the line between prose and poetry. Every page pulsates with truths that only the lies of fiction can reach. I’ll carry its meaning, music, and language always.”

“Portrait” is available as a Kindle Single for $0.99 at the Amazon Kindle Store. Kathleen is a superb writer, a great supporter of Artists Without Walls; we highly recommend her work.

AWoW and the UCD CHORAL SCHOLARS in the IRISH ECHO

This week’s Irish Echo includes a very nice photo spread of the UCD Choral Scholars at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in the Chelsea section of New York City. The show was presented by Artists Without Wall. All photos were taken by Vera Hoar. (Click on the photo once and the following photo again for the largest image.)

"SONGS of FAREWELL: SAIL AWAY" A BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE by the UCD CHORAL SCHOLARS at ST PETER'S CHELSEA in NYC

“What a heavenly evening last night, a place to listen to the music of worlds we don’t always remember we inhabit. And what a program; unearthly voices singing songs of the ordinary life we know, love and quarrel with, and thrill too as well. Thank you to Artists Without Walls for putting all of us together – audience singers, music. What an inspiration. We are truly very grateful.” Kathleen Hill, author of “Who Occupies This House.”

–

This past Saturday evening, Artists Without Walls presented the University College Dublin Choral Scholars at historic St Peter’s Episcopal Church in the Chelsea section of New York City. Led by Director Desmond Earley, the Choral Scholars performed a program entitled Songs of Farewell: Sailing Away. Beginning with Rachmaninoff’s “All Night Vigil,” followed by traditional and contemporary music, the Choral Scholars captivated the audience with their brilliant sound. Soloists Glenn Murphy, Emily Doyle, Sorcha Kinder, Susie Gibbons and Mark Waters were in fine voice and performed splendidly throughout the evening.

–

One of the concert’s many special moments was historian and author Peter Quinn’s poignant story of his great grandparents leaving Ireland in 1847 during the Great Famine and making a life on the Lower East Side of New York, which was followed by Sorcha Kinder’s beautiful rendition of Brendan Graham’s “Orphan Girl,” the song of a sixteen year old girl, who dreams of sailing to Australia from Westport, Ireland.

–

If you’d like to hear this wonderful collection of singers they will be making their final US appearance at Lehman College’s Studio Theater, 250 Bedford Blvd West, Bronx, on Tuesday, March 18, 6:30pm. We guarantee you’ll be enraptured by the music. Reception to follow.

–

Here are a number of Vera Hoar’s photos, which capture the essence of this memorable evening.

–

Soloist Glenn Murphy and the UCD Choral Scholars

Desmond Earley, Director of the UCD Choral Scholars

Soloists Susie Gibbons(center) and Mark Waters (far right)

Artists Without Walls’ co-founders Niamh Hyland and Charles R. Hale with the UCD Choral Scholars

The UCD Choral Scholars

Special guest Peter Quinn

The UCD Choral Scholars

Harpist Elsa Kelly

THE UCD CHORAL SCHOLARS with SPECIAL GUEST PETER QUINN: SATURDAY MARCH 15

This Saturday, March 15th, 7:30pm, Artists Without Walls will be presenting the University College Dublin Choral Scholars in an event called Sailing Away: Songs of Farewell. The evening will be hosted by Niamh Hyland, a former soloist with the UCD Choral Scholars. “It is an exciting program filled with songs of love, loss, parting, immigration and the sea,” Niamh said of the event, which will take place at the historic St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 346 West 20th St., New York City.

Listen to the Scholars rehearse the “Skye Boat Song.”

St Peter's Episcopal Church — **St Peter’s Episcopal Church**

UCD Choral Scholars is Ireland’s leading collegiate choral ensemble and is embarking on its first tour of the United States. Eighteen high-achieving, gifted students are awarded a scholarship each September by a panel of professional musicians following a competitive selection process. UCD’s repertoire ranges from popular music to the medieval to the contemporary. Their Parting Glass EP quickly moved to #2 on the charts in the Irish World Music category. Parting Glass is a YouTube hit as well, garnering well over 200,000 views.

Listen to the Scholars hit song, “Parting Glass“

We are also pleased to announce that our special guest and Artist Without Walls’ member, historian/author Peter Quinn, will share stories of his family’s immigrant experience. “Peter Quinn is a poet and an historian and one of our finest storytellers,” said National Book Award winner Colum McCann.

Click here to purchase tickets. Tickets for the event are $20.

Net proceeds from the sale of tickets to this event will benefit the Artists Without Walls’ mission, which is to inspire, uplift and unite people and communities of diverse cultures through the pursuit of artistic achievement.

ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' MEMBERS "ON THE TOWN": WEEK of MARCH 9, 2014

Brendan Connellan’s DEATH, PLEASE!, which is directed and produced by Brendan, is opening on Tuesday, March 11th at Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd St., NYC. There will be six shows running through Sunday, March 16th. Evening shows on Tuesday at 7, Wed-Sat at 8. Afternoon matinees Wed and Sat at 2 and Sunday at 3. The cast (in alphabetical order) are Alessia Sushko, Amit Gupta, Brendan Connellan, and another AWoW member, John Moran. No intermission. 70 minutes

For AWOW, instead of the $21.25 cost via Telecharge, go to www.broadwayoffers.com the ticket price is $17.25 with a lower service fee! Use the code TRAWOW.

–

Peter Quinn, Honor Molloy and others will be discussing “Dagger” John Hughes and the Rise of Irish New York at the Museum of the City of New York, 1220-1227 Fifth Avenue, Thursday, March 13pm, 6:30pm. Free for museum members, $12 students/seniors, $16 general public.

–

Eamon Loingsigh‘s new book “Light of the Diddicoy” will be released at Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St. in NYC’s Greenwich Village on March 12, 6pm. It’s a free event and books will be available.

–

Join IFNY, The Irish Film Board and Under the Milky Way for a screening of the critically acclaimed film Good Vibrations in celebration of the iTunes release of four Irish films this March. Where: Wythe Hotel Screening Room, Wythe Hotel, 80 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn. When: Friday, March 14th @ 7:30 pm. Tickets: $10.00 (available for purchase online http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/594198)

–

Artists Without Walls will be presenting the University College Dublin Choral Scholars in a fund raising event called Sailing Away: Songs of Farewell, a program filled with songs of love, loss, parting, immigration and the sea at St. Peter’s Church Chelsea, 346 West 20^{th St.,} New York City, Saturday, March 15th, 7:30pm.

Listen to “Parting Glass”

Special guest, historian/author Peter Quinn, will share stories of his family’s immigrant experience. “Peter Quinn is a poet and an historian and one of our finest storytellers,” said National Book Award winner Colum McCann. Click here for tickets $20

–

Honor Finnegan will be performing in a tribute to Patty Griffin at Rockwood Music Hall, 196 Allen Street, NYC, on Saturday, March 15, 8pm.

AWoW PRESENTS the "UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN CHORAL SCHOLARS" in NEW YORK CITY

On Saturday, March 15th, 7:30pm, Artists Without Walls will be presenting the University College Dublin Choral Scholars in a fund raising event called Sailing Away: Songs of Farewell. The evening will be hosted by Niamh Hyland, a former soloist with the UCD Choral Scholars. “It is an exciting program filled with songs of love, loss, parting, immigration and the sea,” Niamh said of the event, which will take place at the historic St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 346 West 20th St., New York City.

Desmond Early Director of UCD Choral Scholars — **Desmond Earley, Director of UCD Choral Scholars**

In May 2013, the UCD Choral Scholars won first place in the National Open Competition for Church Music at the Cork International Choral Festival. Their Parting Glass EP quickly moved to #2 on the charts in the Irish World Music category. Parting Glass is a YouTube hit as well, garnering close to 200,000 views. Listen to Parting Glass

Click here to purchase tickets. Tickets for the event are $20.

FALLEN ANGEL THEATRE COMPANY WINTER BENEFIT with AEDIN MOLONEY

On January 30th, come out and meet Aedin Moloney, Paddy Moloney, Colum McCann, Matt Dillon, Peter Quinn, and many others at the Winter Benefit for the Fallen Angel Theatre Company. The evening’s honoree will be Garry Hynes, Tony Award winning director and the founder and Artistic Director of Druid Theatre.

You can support Fallen Angel by participating in their exciting Silent Auction. Items, include a drink in NYC with Tyson Beckford, supermodel, actor and businessman and one of the five most ‘Beautiful Men in the World'”, two tickets to The Chieftains Concert in NYC with an after show meet and greet and much more. (See the flyer below for details.)

For details on the auction and how to bid go to….Fallen Angel Theatre Benefit Auction

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

Honor 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 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.

Peter 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.

Darrah 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

PETER QUINN'S NEW YORK: "YOU DON'T HAVE TO SEARCH FOR IT…YOU JUST LIVE IT."

“Having been raised in New York I feel I received an enormous gift. People travel all over the world to write in exotic places, but you grow up here, in the boroughs, it’s like living in different worlds. The older I get the more I’m stuck by the drama of change that goes on around us. It’s a great gift for a novelist. You don’t have to search for it. In New York you just live it. ” Peter Quinn.

Why did Peter Quinn write his trilogy, The Hour of the Cat, The Man Who Never Returned and Dry Bones? Watch this short video narrated by Quinn and you’ll learn why.

“Peter Quinn is a poet and an historian and one of our finest storytellers. He sits at the fireside of the American imagination. He can carve mystery out of mystery. His work is generous and agile and profound.” – Colum McCann

“…another work of intricate structure, suspense and wit…”
Wall Street Journal

“Dry Bones is a savvy, suspenseful tale of World War II espionage and Cold War skullduggery “- William Kennedy, Pulitzer Prize Winner