Irish Arts & Entertainment for February, 2016f

FEBRUARY 2016

VOLUME XXIII - ISSUE 2

Join the Parade!

March 12th, 2016 in Long Beach, CA More info on Page 3

ONCE To Open at the Pantages Hollywood on March 15.

See story on Page 6

Loreena McKennitt Trio To Perform at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

See story on Page 5

Follow your favorite Irish artists to gear up for March!

See Celtic Calendar on Page 16

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Irish Arts & Entertaniment

THE SHAMROCK is built on bringing entertainment to you SEVEN DAYS of every week!

Comedy Night (adults only) every Tuesday Live Music on Fridays & Saturdays Sundays are devoted to Family Friendly Entertainment Check our website

w Ne...in addition to all your pub favorites

on our menu; we offer Specials Everyday... Fine Ambiance, Full Bar and a Perfect Pint always on Tap!

New Happy Shamily Hour: 3pm­5pm 20% off full drink and bar tab. 7 days a week!

Karaoke every Monday and Thursday

Open: Mon­Thur: 11am­Midnight Fri­Sat: 11am till late Sun: 11am­Midnight

call us at: 951­696­5252

The Shamrock Irish Pub & Eatery 39252 Winchester Rd. #145 Murrieta, CA 92563 (cross street Murrieta Hot Springs) NOW, you can sign up for our E-Newsletter via FaceBook.

Like Us on FaceBook Search for “TheShamrockIrishPubandEatery”

Be sure to check our Calendar and Blog on our website.

on the web: theshamrockirishpubandeatery.com

PAGE 3 The Irish Heritage Parade from 2pm to 3pm runs down Pine Avenue from 6th Street to Broadway in beautiful downtown Long Beach! A spectacular parade and festival is planned so join the festivities with your family and friends! Over 50 parade entries including Firefighter displays, marching bands, dancing groups, local Police, youth groups, local businesses, floats, and more, all ending with a free, all-ages festival highlighting local music, food and libations.

Irish Arts & Entertaniment

The Red Leprechaun is participating so come prepared for some great Corned Beef and other Irish Treats! The Irish HeritageFestival starts at 3pm Follow the last entry of the parade, the Long Beach Firefighters Pipe & Drum Band to the Promenade Park between Broadway and1st street! Live Irish music, Irish step dancing, Craft Beergarden, Pipe & Drum demonstrations, food, vendors, and much more! Firefighters, Police, and Irish heritage groups from all over Southern California will be participating so join us for a fun filled day to celebrate our Irish heritage! Irish music acts include The Humble Hooligansand and Sportive Tricks. The festival is all ages and FREE! www.irishheritageparade.com

Muldoon’s IRISH PUB

est. 1974

Brilliant Events February Music 2/11 DIDDLEY IDOLS 2/12 STEEL CITY BAND 2/13 WHEELHOUSE 2/14 ANESHA ROSE 2/18 IDENTITY CRISIS 2/19 DEAD RINGER 2/20 SARCASTICS 2/21 SPORTIVE TRICKS 2/24 BLUE DEUX 2/25 KATELYN MARIE 2/26 IDENTITY CRISIS 2/27 MOTORBOAT 2/28 CRAIC HAUS

Planning A Party?

We would love to be of service !

Parties of all sizes & causes for celebration welcome !!

Contact mary@muldoonspub.com to plan your special event !

202 NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE, NEWPORT BEACH 92660 www.muldoonspub.com 949 640 4110 facebook

Irish Arts & Entertaniment

Ireland Prepares for Centenary of Irish Rebellion of 1916 On April 24 of this year, history marks the 100th Anniversary of the Irish Easter Rebellion.

Celebrations, concerts, film screening and various commemorations are planned throughout Ireland and in some American Cities. Dublin is going all out to recall the failed rebellion and the bloodshed that followed. The leaders who were caught were executed except for one American born rebel and a woman. The Irish Proclamation is being help up with great pride and compared to the Magna Carta and Jefferson’s American Declaration of Independence.

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Irish Arts & Entertainment

The opinions expressed by our columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Irish Arts & Entertainment or its Editor and staff.

PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR James M. McDonough SALES REPRESENTATIVE Patrick Weld Pat Gallagher WRITERS Pat Gallagher Barbara Singer MaryPat Tuxbury Patrick Weld

IT WAS NOT ALWAYS SO!

LAYOUT & DESIGN Shea Newkirk

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

RESIDENT ARTIST Adrien Rain Burke TELEPHONE 951-216-1493 E-MAIL jmcdonough44@gmail.com Copyright 2016.

All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. Subscriptions are delivered via Armadillo Distributing, UPS & USPS First Class. Send subscriptions, address changes, and inquires to: Irish Arts & Entertainment 7310 South La Cienega Blvd.

Suite 100 Inglewood, CA 90302 Address editorial correspondence; Attention Editor.

Letters to the Editor are not necessarily the opinion of the Editor or Publisher.

Address business inquiries; Attention Publisher.

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Irish Arts & Entertaniment

Loreena McKennitt Trio To Perform at Segerstrom Center for the Arts Canadian Celtic Music Sensation will be in concert in Orange County on March 13!

Marking three decades as Canada’s foremost, groundbreaking independent artist, Loreena McKennitt will continue her rare and intimate series of performances at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall on March 13. Traditionally performing with her band in large concert halls around the world, this unique series will feature McKennitt in the trio formation that garnered her a 2012 Grammy nomination for Troubadours on the Rhine.

Ad Clone Contest

Spot the duplicate ads in this issue and WIN! The prize is a Celtic Gift Bag loaded with Irish Goodies! Concert & Theater Tickets! CDs, Imported Candy, Apparel and more!

Go through this issue and let us know which ad has a “clone”by telling us the advertiser and the two pages on which the ads appear.

E-Mail your answer and contact info to: irishmissive@gmail.com The winner will be drawn at random from entries received.

Contest closes on February 25, 2016

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

Loreena McKennitt Trio Don’t miss the award-winning Celtic composer and singer in an atmospheric evening of music and tales inspired by her exotic travels in pursuit of the history of the Celts.

MAR 13

RENÉE AND HENRY SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL

ORDER TICKETS TODAY!

600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

(714) 556-2787 TTY (714) 556-2746

SCFTA.org

Group Services (714) 755-0236

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Irish Arts & Entertaniment

THE SHAMROCK named as BUZZFEED # 1 Irish Pub

Great staff and friendly patrons are the rule

KUDOS and Congratulations to Graham Judge, Paul Little and all the great staff at the Shamrock Irish Pub and Eatery in Murrieta (Riverside County near Temecula) recently picked by BUZZFEED as the Number 1 Irish Bar in California.

We here at the Irish Arts & Entertainment feel a great kinship and have a deep appreciation for this wonderful and authentic Irish Pub! The Shamrock has been a client since they opened only three years ago and they have always strived to be the best. We are quite proud of our association with them and with their annual festival GETSHAMROCKED held in Murrieta in association with the Murrieta Chamber of Commerce in September.

The Temecula Valley is lucky to have such a grand Irish Pub in their midst. It has become a destination pub so if you live anywhere in Southern California, a visit to the area and THE SHAMROCK would be a treat and time well spent!

More: www.theshamrockirishpubandeatery.com www.getshamrocked.com

Graham Judge, Paul Little with Young Dub’s Kieth Roberts Irish Arts & Entertainment photo

Paddy;s Day is epic at THE SHAMROCK!

ONCE To Open at the Pantages Hollywood on March 15 The PERFECT IRISH MUSICAL for Saint Patrick’s Week!

ONCE is the celebrated musical based on the Academy Award-winning film. Set in Ireland, It tells the story of an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant drawn together by their shared love of music. Over the course of one fateful week, their unexpected friendship and collaboration evolves into a powerful but complicated romance, heightened by the raw emotion of the songs they create together. Brought to the stage by an award-winning team of visionary artists and featuring an ensemble cast of gifted actor/musicians, ONCE is a musical celebration of life and love: thrilling in its originality, daring in its honesty... and unforgettable in every way.

See Ticket details and Special Offer in the Calendar Section; Opens Tuesday, March 15

Irish Arts & Entertaniment

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For 60 or 70 years, most of the Irish did not really want to talk about 1916 or the ensuing Civil War that engulfed the country. Certainly not the ruling party or the emerging business and education class; they all left it to Sinn Fein, Americans and singers of Rebel Tunes!

Now with the passage of time, a more enlightened view and more respect for the struggle for Irish Independence is taking Center Stage!

Partial List of Events Planned According to the Irish Times (Dublin) The public celebrations in Ireland began on January 30 with a cultural presentation: Lorcán Mac Mathúna presents 1916 Visionaries and Their Words. New traditional music compositions based on the writings of the seven signatories of the Proclamation, at the Temple Bar Tradfest in Dublin. The show will then be presented in Ennis, Co Clare, for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, which takes place in August.

On March 8, International Women’s Day, there will be a ceremony to commemorate Destruction seen on O’Connell Bridge, Dublin, during the 1916 Easter Rising. the role of women in the events of 1916, at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin Irish Voice with permission.

8. The programme includes a keynote address by President Michael D Higgins and a performance by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra of music and song on the subject of Women in 1916. Proclamation Day on March 15 is at the heart of the Youth and Imagination strand. All educational institutions, including pre-schools, schools and further and higher education institutions, will participate. CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Irish Arts & Entertaniment CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

“It has been great to get back to touring in the United States this fall and has been wonderful to meet so many people along the way,” says McKennitt. “Because one of the key variables of this kind of tour is performing in locations about three hours drive from each other, it has been great to see more of the country by ground rather than by air and encounter some of the regional specialties and characteristics. I only wish we could do this by bicycle!”

Joined by two of her long-time musical collaborators, guitarist Brian Hughes and cellist Caroline Lavelle, this atmospheric evening features music and stories inspired by Loreena’s exotic travels in pursuit of the history of the Celts – from China and Mongolia to central Turkey and Ireland, while interlacing the mystical Irish poems of Yeats and such classical writers as Shakespeare and Tennyson. McKennitt adds historic relevance to today by including references to the time of the time of the Irish famine (1840s) to the present.

Loreena McKennitt’s eclectic Celtic blend of pop, folk and world music has sold more than 14 million albums worldwide. Her recordings have achieved gold, platinum and multi-platinum status in 15 countries on four continents. She has twice been nominated for a Grammy Award and has won two Junos, as well as a Billboard International Achievement Award.

McKennitt has performed in some of the world’s most respected and historic concert venues, from Carnegie Hall to the famous Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain and for dignitaries including numerous heads of state.

Tickets start at $49 and choice seats are available online at SCFTA.org, by calling 714 556-2787 or in person the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa

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Irish Arts & Entertaniment

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The View from Ireland Brooklyn

By Maurice Fitzpatrick A new Irish film, John Crowley’s Brooklyn, is up for three gongs at the 2016 Academy Awards . Brooklyn is in the running for Best Picture, Best Actress (New York born Saoirse Ronan) and Best Adapted Screenplay (based on Colm Tóibín’s novel). Already a runaway box office hit in North America, Brooklyn’s chance to consolidate that commercial success with critical accolades in LA next month is very real.

Set in the 1950s, the film centres on the journey of Eilis Lacey, who hails from Tóibín’s hometown and oft-used fictional setting, Enniscorthy. Lacey gets an opportunity, with the help of a parish priest, to emigrate to Brooklyn. The stimulating but desperately lonely experience of being an Irish emigrant provides the dramatic context for the film.

Yet this film is so much more than an Irish-American story: this is Brooklyn as metaphor; it is Kearny NJ, it is Boston’s Southie, it is any part of the urban United States where emigrants arrived and started to assert themselves, to jostle for position and to realise that becoming American comes with a painful severance from home. However wrenching the yearning for one’s original home, however strong the sense of identification with it or raw the homesickness for it, reversing the decision of transatlantic emigration in the mid 20th Century was hugely problematic and often impossible.

The film weaves into the story the rivalry and spite between ethnicities then streaming into the United States, and how romantic love helped to transcend it. Lacey falls for an Italian man and, invited to her new boyfriend’s family’s house for dinner, she has to negotiate her otherness. That gets trickier, however, when a younger brother pipes up helpfully: “I should say that we don’t like Irish people”.

Facing life’s inevitabilities provides this film with its plot points: the loss of Lacey’s beloved sister, Rose, plunges her into self-doubt about where she can make her life. She does return to Ireland where, to vex things further, a man in Wexford vies for her affections, while her boyfriend back in Brooklyn keeps writing letters without receiving a reply. Watching this film I recalled again and again a statement that Gabriel Byrne made in interview, in June 2008: “life is about the acceptance of loss.” Byrne, a Dublin man, transposed to New York and apt to meditate on the consequences of that life decision, could have had a part in this film?

So much of the tapestry of emigration is captured here that to isolate one of the film’s strengths alone is invidious. Still, the portrayal of Ireland, deserves especial credit. So often in period dramas, a soppy unreality of the place mars a film’s ability to capture its audience. Not so here. The author, Colm Tóibín, had a flag-waving reaction to the film’s setting and design: “There’s also an authenticity about it. Often an Irish film is just made for the global market, and the only place it cannot be shown is Ireland, because we just go, ‘It’s not like that here’. This film was shown in my home town, where I am right now, Enniscorthy, last night. It was shown to two audiences of 200, and not one person said that”.

The myth of Brooklyn for the Irish has evolved since the 1950s, and there are more novels and films where this came from. For instance, in the 1970s and 1980s Irish bars in Brooklyn were the destinations of choice for many CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

Irish Arts & Entertaniment

IRISHMAN AND WOMAN OF YEAR NOMINATIONS INVITED The Annual Irish Day Civic Ceremonies Committee in now accepting nominations for Irishman And Irishwoman Of The Year and also for Irish Honorees’ of the Year.

Since 1876, fhs Irishman and Irishwoman and Irish Honorees’ havel been Honored By The Los Angeles Mayor And City Council at the Official City of Los Angeles’ St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on the Friday prior to St. Patrick’s Day. The festivities commence with the Irish Day Civic Ceremonies in the Los Angeles City Council Chambers and then continue with a celebration luncheon and other festivities, then honored at the City of Los Angeles St. Patrick’s Day Extravaganza, and may be presented at the Grand St. Patrick’s Day Ball and Rose of Tralee Presentation the following Saturday evening. Tickets are $125 per person for the Grand Ball.

Irish Day Civic Ceremonies and the Los Angeles St. Patick’s Day Gala are Sponsored By The Los Angeles City Council, Under The Auspices Of Councilmember Mitch Farrell and the Irish Fair Foundation, Inc. Selection Criteria A. Is Recognized As An Outstanding Leader And Major Contributor In Their Career, Social, Arts, Cultural, Religious, Business, Academic, Sports Or Political Field; and as such, Reflect Great Credit On Irish Americana In General; Or B. Is Recognized As A Major Celebrity Figure Who By Virtue Of Their Success, Character And Integrity Reflect Great Credit On Irish Americana.

Or C. Is Recognized As A Major Contributor And Leader In The Local American Irish Community by Virtue of Their Involvement and Service Efforts in Local Activities, Programs, Organizations And Clubs.

Nomination Submittals Nominations Should Be Submitted On 8 ½ X 11 Paper With The Name, Address, And Telephone Number CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

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Irish Arts & Entertaniment CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 Of The Nominee And Should Clearly State The Reasons Why The Nominee Should Be Honored. Only One Nomination Per Page Please.

Nominations must be postmarked No Later Than February 15, 2016.

Nominations Should Be Mailed To: Irish Nominees /O Irish Day Civic Ceremonies Post Office Box 2429 Toluca Lake, Ca 91610-0429 Complete and submit Nomination Form on-line at www.irishfair. org Or scan and e-mail to tmalaw100@yahoo.com

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 The day will start with the raising of the flag and a reading of the Proclamation.

Special Commemorative Irish Exhibitions: The National Museum will open a major 1916 exhibition at Collins Barracks, Dublin, on March 3, examining the events of Easter Week in detail. Called Proclaiming a Republic: The 1916 Rising , the exhibition will “explore the ideas, movements and personalities of early 20th-century Ireland, the dramatic events of Easter Week, the impact it had on the city and its citizens and the Irish nation as a whole”.

On March 10, Glasnevin Cemetery Museum’s 1916 exhibition will open.

See: glasnevintrust.ie.

Cork’s Crawford Art Gallery will hold a number of exhibitions during the year, including Diverging Loyalties (June 4 toAugust 27) and 1916 in Contemporary Art (June 24 to August 24).

More: crawfordartgallery.ie Ceremony and parades: There will be a remembrance ceremony on Easter Saturday, March 26th, in the Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square, transmitted live by RTÉ. Later that day there will be a State event in the RDS for relatives of those who participated in the Rising, which will also be attended by the President.

The Easter Sunday events begin at 11.30am on March 27 with the reading of the 1916 Proclamation under the GPO portico by a Defence Forces officer. The President will then lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Ireland, followed by a minute’s silence for all those who died. The national flag above the GPO will be raised to full mast and the national anthem played. The parade, led by GPO Dublin HQ for 1916 Rebellion the Defence Forces in full Public Domain military display, will begin at St Stephen’s Green, pass the GPO and continue to Parnell Square. It will conclude with an Air Corps flypast and a 21-gun salute. That evening there will be a State reception at Dublin Castle for 3,000 guests, at the Taoiseach’s invitation.

On March 29 there will be a State ceremony at Liberty Hall, Dublin, to commemorate the role of the Irish Citizen Army and James Connolly. Cork’s Crawford Art Gallery will hold a number of exhibitions during the year, including Diverging Loyalties (June 4th-August 27th) and 1916 in Contemporary Art (June 24th-August 24th). See crawfordartgallery.ie CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Irish Arts & Entertaniment CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 Academia: The universities and institutes of technology have developed extensive academic programmes for 2016. A highlight will be a national conference on 1916 and its impact on the life of the nation, hosted by NUI Galway in November 2016.

In Southern California: The first screenings of a series of short films produced at the behest of the Irish Government will be held next week at the Santa Barbara Film Festival.

Dignitaries from Dingle, Santa Barbara’s Irish sister city will also be on hand.

A much more extensive series of films on several topics and people revolving around the events of 1916 will be showcased at the 17th, Annual Newport Beach Film Festival which will take place from April 21st-28th, Resources for more on 1916 Ireland 2016 | Official Centenary Programme - www.ireland.ie 1916 Centenary 2016 - Facebook - www.facebook.com/www.1916uprising.ie Save Moore Street Dublin - Facebook - www.facebook.com/

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Irish Arts & Entertaniment 8 5

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O N S A L E N OW ! • M A RC H 15 - 2 0 H O L LY WO O D PA N TAG E S . C O M / 8 0 0 - 9 8 2 - 2 7 87

sh News • FulPg 10” x 10” • RUN DATE: February 2016

C E L E B R A T I N G

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Irish Arts & Entertaniment

LETTER from the PUBLISHER

Irish Arts & Entertainment Special March Irish Music Issue

UNBEATABLE PRICES ON: CUSTOM WEBSITES PRINTED MEDIA LOGOS & MORE!

The Irish Arts & Entertainment will herald the Great Saint’s Great Day with a special theme issue again this year! Our Annual salute to Irish Music will focus on local Southern California artists and groups as well as American, Irish and International Irish Music Makers. We have also commissioned a fascinating feature on American Irish Music composers.

www.LongBeachWebDesign.com | 562.222.8300 Look for the March feature on Gaelic Storm!

There is still time to get involved so if our readers care to submit a suggestion on an artist or group that you feel warrants inclusion; please contact us. On the topic of inclusion, we are always looking for great content of Irish interest; so if you have a lead or an idea for a feature; please contact us with that too! Deadline for feature ideas and advertising inquiries is February 21. Finally, as we expand our publication and return to a schedule of Celtic & Irish Imports publishing digitally and print on “Recognized for having the demand on a monthly basis and Largest Collection of Silver & our in print Magazine format Gold Irish Jewelry in Southern California” quarterly; we are interested in Featuring the meeting and adding writers. legendary To this end, we have set up an Claddagh Irish News and Entertainment • Celtic Jewelry WRITER’S GROUP on • Belleek China Facebook. Interested writers are • Inis Fragances asked to join and we will follow • Books & Music up.

• Infant & Children’s It Items Thanks for your interest in our publication, Jim McDonough, Publisher E-Mail: irishmissive@gmail.com Phone: 951 216-1493 Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/ Tony Cross, Proprietor ~ Located in the Heart of the Village 575 Grand Avenue, Carlsbad • 760-720-1500 WritertsIrish

O’Ireland

www.oirelandca.com

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Irish Arts & Entertaniment

Celtic Legends and Lore

Celebrating the Saint of Ireland: St. Patrick

By True Thomas the Storyteller

Thousands of churches are named after him, as are children and many places. Even the Irish nick-name “Paddy” is in a way a tribute to him. I don’t know what he would think of our modern celebrations. He was a driven man, with a fire within him, to spread his version of the gospel to the Irish. What we know about him, we have from hundreds of stories and legends, plus a few of his actual writings and from the many accounts of the people he influenced. Irish humor is heavily leavened by irony. And so it is with our Apostle, Saint Patrick. He’s not Irish! Patrick was not from Ireland. Some have him coming from the coast of Wales, others from Kilpatrick, Scotland. His father was named Calphurnius and his mother was Conchessa. His father belonged to a Roman family of high rank and held the office of decurio in Gaul or Britain. Conchessa was a near relative of the great patron of Gaul, St. Martin of Tours. Patrick’s original name was probably Sucat or Maelwyn. By his accounts he lead a rather uneventful life until he was taken captive by Irish marauders, possibly Niall of the Nine Hostages. He was sold as a slave to a chieftain named Milchu in Dalriada, a territory of the present county of Antrim in Ireland, where for six years he tended his master’s flocks in the valley of the Braid and on the slopes of Slemish, near the modern town of Ballymena. Imagine, if you will, being raised in an upper class family suddenly to find yourself starving and freezing while tending sheep in a distant land where you did not speak the language. On those hillsides, a fire started within Patrick. He prayed incessantly, learned the language of the Gael, and gleaned what knowledge he could get from Milchu, who had been druidically trained. As Patrick became more passionate, he said that God spoke to him, telling him that there was a boat waiting for him. It was 200 hundred miles away, and it took a few miracles, but Patrick eventually got home. Inside him, the faith still shone brightly. At this point he became a priest and studied under the best minds he could find.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

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Irish Arts & Entertaniment

The Celtic

The first all-women Celtic music ensemble, Cherish the Ladies is a spectacular powerhouse of wunderkind instrumental talent, dazzling vocals, and captivating step dancing, combining all the facets of Irish culture into a emotional and witty performance. Their line-up includes legendary songstress and vocalist Maura O’Connell along with Liz Carroll and Liz Knowles sharing the fiddle role. Cherish the Ladies Show also features two world champion step dancers Michael Holland and Jason Oremus, former principal lead Dancer for Riverdance. Cherish the Ladies will be performing at Pepperdine’s Smothers Theater on March 22! See Calendar this issue for details.

Camera

The Bogside Artists are a group of three artists. William Kelly, Tom Kelly and Kevin Hasson The are from an area of Derry City, Northern Ireland, known as the Bogside. It was in this area that fourteen people were shot dead by the British army on 30 January 1972. The artists commemorated the event in a large mural situated on the site. This mural is called simply ‘Bloody Sunday’. They have continued their amazing work for almost forty years and have become know internationally for their commitment to peace and justice. Above is the most recent mural honoring those who worked tirelessly to bring peace to the North of Ireland.

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Irish Arts & Entertaniment

California -

Irish Community Calendar

- By Date

Concerts • Musical Events • Classes • Irish Dance • Socials • Special Events • Theatre Wednesday, February 10 and again on Wednesday, 2/24 Both shows @ 6:00pm BLUE DEUX

Saturday, February 13 ALL DAY Queen Mary Scottish Festival

Amazing fiddle & guitar duo, Bluegrass, Americana and Irish traditional! House Irish Band!

Muldoon’s Irish Pub 202 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach, CA 949 640-4110 www.muldoonspub.com

Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts 12700 Center Court Drive Cerritos, CA 90703 Info Line: 562 916-8501 Ticket Office 800 300-4345 or 562 916-8500 Good seats still available www.cerritoscenter.com

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____________________________ Thursday, February 11 and Most Thursdays Confirmed till March 3 Starts @ 5:pm Ken O’Malley Irish Balladeer’s Solo Show The Auld Dubliner 71 S. Pine Avenue Long Beach, CA www.aulddubliner.com

____________________________ Friday, February 12 10:00pm The California Celts The Auld Dubliner 71 S. Pine Avenue Long Beach, CA www.aulddubliner.com

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Saturday, February 20 8:00pm The Band of the Royal Marines And The Pipes, Drums and Highland Dancers of the Scots Guards

Sunday, February 21 Starting 2:00pm Courtyard Concert with Sportive Tricks

Music by Sligo Rags and a host of Celtic Bands! In the evening from 6:30pm to 12:30am ROCK YER KILT - SCOTSFESTIVAL CONCERT the best Scottish, Gaelic and Celtic bands this side of the pond at the official after-party for Queen Mary’s ScotsFestival. WICKED TINKERS and more! Tickets starting at $15 online & $20 at the door.

Traditional Irish & Celtic Tunes with a dedicated group of Music Makers! Always a great time!

Muldoon’s Irish Pub 202 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach, CA 949 640-4110 www.muldoonspub.com

Tuesday, February 16 8:00pm Ken O’Malley Duo

Saturday, March 12 Irish Heritage Parade

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Finn McCool’s Irish Pub 2702 Main Street Santa Monica, CA

http://irishheritageparade.com

____________________________ Sunday, March 13 7:00pm Loreen McKennitt Trio Award-winning composer and singer Loreena McKennitt is known throughout the world for her distinct ‘eclectic Celtic’ music Segerstrom Center 600 Town Center Dr Costa Mesa, CA Great Seats Available Call 714 556-2787 www.scfta.org

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Tuesday, March 15 OPENING NIGHT “ONCE”

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____________________________ 2pm to 3pm runs down Pine Avenue in Long Beach Free Festival starts at noon in Promenade Park.

Winner of Eight Tony Awards including BEST MUSICAL, ONCE is a truly original Broadway experience.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

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Irish Arts & Entertaniment

California -

Irish Community Calendar

- By Date

Concerts • Musical Events • Classes • Irish Dance • Socials • Special Events • Theatre CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 Featuring an impressive ensemble of actor/musicians who play their own instruments onstage, ONCE tells the enchanting tale of a Dublin street musician who’s about to give up on his dream when a beautiful young woman takes a sudden interest in his haunting love songs. 2 Hours and 15 minutes Including Intermission Ages 10 and Up Children under 5 not admitted. Everyone must have a ticket.

Pantages Theatre 6233 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028 TICKETS: 800 982-2787

Thursday, March 17 The Fourth Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at BUZZFEED’S #1 Irish Pub The Shamrock

Performance Schedule: Tuesday Friday at 8pm Saturday at 2pm & 8pm Sunday at 1pm & 6:30pm USE CODE “IRISH” when ordering online for a great discount www.HollywoodPantages.com In Person Hollywood Pantages Box Office (opens daily at 10:am) and all Ticketmaster Outlets More online: HollywoodPantages.com/ONCE

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Tuesday, March 22 8:00pm Cherish the Ladies with Irish Dancers

The Harp Inn Irish Pub

Great Entertainment Every Night! Karaoke, Pub Quiz, Open Mic & Live Music Harp Inn Irish Pub 130 E. 17th St. Costa Mesa www.harpinn.com

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O’Brien’s Irish Pub Live on stage: The Dublin Rogues Pipe Bands, DJ and a lot more!

The Shamrock Irish Pub and Eatery 39252 Winchester Rd. #145, Murrieta, CA. - 951 696.5252 theshamrockirishpubandeatery.com

Saturday, March 19 Celtic Festival at FAIRPLEX

Tickets start at only $20.

Pepperdine Center for the Arts Smothers Theater 24255 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, CA 90263 https://arts.pepperdine.edu/ performances/cherishtheladies.htm

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Sligo Rags and many more Celtic Bands. Pomona, CA www.fairplex.com

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The Sports Pub with the Irish Heart! Sunday Evenings LA area’s Only OPEN Irish Session Drop by for dinner & stay for the Craic! 7:30pm or so... Join the fun!

CHECK OUT THE GROUP O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Restaurant 2226 Wilshire Blvd (at 23rd.)

Santa Monica, CA 310 829-5303 www.obriensla.com

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Ken O’Malley duo

Tue, Feb 16 @ 8:00 PM — 11:00 PM Finn McCool’s, 2702 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Join Kris Kolt & the Black Rose Band on the River in Laughlin for

St. Patrick’s Day 2016

Excellent entertainment in an extraordinary venue

www.kriscolt.com

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Irish Arts & Entertaniment

The Celtic

Camera

LBPD & local roller derby girls kick off the parade

Councilmember Patrick O’Donnell at the Irish Heritage Parade Leprechauns at the Irish Heritage

The Irish Arts & Entertainment Sends out an Irish E-Newsletter!

The WEEKLY IRISH E-MISSIVE is FREE

Tracy Ames of Red Leprechaun & her Irish Dog float

Calendar, Contests, News and more!

Send us your First Name & E-Mail: irishmissive@gmail.com If not totally enchanted; You can opt out at anytime.

Long Beach Royal Syncopated Regiment Drum Corps

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Irish Arts & Entertaniment

EVERY SUNDAY Open Irish Session - Starts @ 7:30 PM EVERY MONDAY Team Trivia - Starts @ 9:00 PM $150 in Cash Prizes!

Cleary Irish Dance

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Irish Arts & Entertaniment Irish emigrants employed in stuffy corporate jobs in Manhattan on Friday nights. They found that, as with home so too with Brooklyn, there were constraints and pressures of tribal identity: the mandatory purchase of the An Phoblacht newspaper in Irish bars being one such pressure, and the assumption that accompanied it, that to be present at the bar was to be a fellow-traveller in the armed struggle in Northern Ireland. Today, despite Brooklyn’s having been brilliantly appropriated by young people seeking an alternative life, the place remains abuzz with Irishness. The last time I stopped into a bar in Brooklyn I met a Donegal native and ended speaking to him in Gaoth Dobhair Irish with him for half the night.

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About the Author

Despite the much deserved praise for this story, I still think that Colm Tóibín’s greatest fiction featured a man who traversed the Atlantic, going the other way: The Master, published in 2004, details the novelist Henry James’ sojourn in Europe which had such an effect on him and the development of his writing. And James, as Tóibín traces in that novel, had Cavan ancestry.

Back in November 2014, this column reviewed John Michael McDonagh’s film, Calvary, and lamented that McDonagh saw fit in the promo for the film to state in an interview: “I’m not a fan of Irish movies, I don’t find them to be that technically accomplished and I don’t find them that intelligent... So I’m trying to get away from the description of the movie as an Irish film in a way”.

Not McDonagh’s finest hour (and in any case he should be judged on his work more than his fulminations). But the point he made was quite unfair and untrue. This film, which could potentially garner several Oscar awards, is an eloquent counterargument. Those nominated, and those who supported them throughout, richly deserve all the plaudits they may receive.

Maurice Fitzpatrick has worked as a columnist, lecturer and film-maker in five countries. He was born in Ireland and graduated from Trinity College Dublin.

He was the recipient of the Ministry of Education of Japan scholarship and he lived in Tokyo from 2004-2011, where he lectured at Keio University.

The Irish Arts & Entertainment

He holds graduate degrees from Ireland and Japan and he is a lecturer at the University of Cologne. He wrote and co-produced, an RTÉ/BBC documentary film in 2010 and he is also author of a book entitled The Boys of St. Columb’s.

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In 2013 he wrote & directed a documentary film for the BBC on Brian Friel’s Translations. and is currently at work on a new book for the Irish Academic Press and a film for the Irish Film Board.”

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Irish Arts & Entertaniment CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

Visions

Then God gave him another vision. In Confessio, Patrick writes: In a vision of the night, I saw a man whose name was Victoricus coming as it from Ireland with innumerable letters, and he gave me one of them, and I read the beginning of the letter: ‘The Voice of the Irish,’ and as I was reading the beginning of the letter I seemed at that moment to hear the voice of those who were beside the forest of Foclut which is near the western sea, and they were crying as if with one voice: ‘We beg you, holy youth, that you shall come and shall walk again among us.’ Patrick knew what needed to be done, but first he needed to convince the others within the Church that he was the man for the job. He headed to France where he went to monastery to study under St. Germaine, bishop of Auxerre for a period of twelve years. Even though his Latin was not the best, he convinced them of his mission, and he headed back to the land of his captivity. This was when he was given the name of Patritius (Patrick). Patrick had a very delicate task. There had been other Christian missions to Ireland.

These missions had been highly influenced by the writings and ideas of Pelagius, who had been found heretical by the Church. Yet, these ideas had been well received by the Irish. Patrick had a fine line to walk indeed.

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In 432, Patrick and twenty-four of his followers went back to Ireland. Patrick was a powerful force to be reckoned with. His simple doctrines and persuasive speeches made many converts.

By most accounts, his command of Gaelic was phenomenal. He landed and immediately started preaching. He headed towards Slemish, when a warrior chieftain named Dichu attempted to stop him by sword. Unfortunately, the warrior’s arm became suddenly frozen. And Patrick gently talked him into converting. One of the first stops Patrick planned to make was to his old master, to buy his freedom and to convert him. But as Patrick advanced, the fortress of Milchu sprang into flames. It seemed the druid had no desire to be converted by his ex-slave, and he perished with his fortress. From Dichu, Patrick learned that a Druid holiday was about to happen, during which all the fires would be extinguished except that of the druids. This was an opportunity Patrick couldn’t miss.

On to Tara

Patrick continued on to Tara, where the sacred fire will come from, and set himself up on a nearby hill. And as all other fires went out, Patrick lights his. The druids at once raised their voice.

“O King,” they said, “live for ever; this fire, which has been lighted in defiance of the royal edict, will blaze forever in this land unless it be this very night extinguished.” By order of the king and the agency of the druids, repeated attempts were made to extinguish the blessed fire CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

PAGE 23 Irish Arts & Entertaniment CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22 and to punish with death the intruder who had disobeyed the royal command. But they met with no success. As the druids prophesied, the fires could not be put out and Patrick managed to avoid the various chieftains allied against him. Legend says that later there was a battle between the Druids and Patrick.

They summoned a terrible storm, and he broke it with sunshine. The Arch-Druid Lochru flew into the air, Patrick prayed, and Lochru fell to be dashed on the rocks. This is only one of the many ““magical/miraculous” events that follow the legend of Patrick. Patrick went on to “fight the good fight” for thirty years, during which time he was imprisoned twice and had many confrontations with Druids, the Celtic nobles, and the warrior culture. Patrick was no stranger to battle and from his writings and other accounts, he worked passionately to help those in bondage and to help the suffering. He fought not only the local religion but, because of his visions, many of his viewpoints were disagreed with within the church as well. St. Patrick died on March 17, in the year 461, and we honor his passing to this day.

After Patrick

He was worshipped for many years and was proclaimed a Saint, even before the “Catholic” Church had been formed. A huge body of folklore and legends sprang up around his story, including the iconic story in which he picked up a shamrock (the symbol of spring) and used its three leaves to educate people about the Christian holy trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost).

It is even said that Patrick “wrestled” God, fighting for some special dispensations for the Irish. One of them specified that Ireland will be flooded seven years before the coming of the Anti-Christ, so as to spare them from temptation. And one of his dispensations will be to act as the Judge for the Irish Race, in the last days of mankind. As the Irish have immigrated throughout the world, the legend of Patrick travels with them. It is no surprise that “Paddy” invokes Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland. It is said that once St. Patrick was traveling and saw that his group was about to be ambushed. He uttered a prayer that has since been called “the Lorica (breastplate) of St. Patrick” or “The Deer’s Cry” (Faed Fiada). Here are some excerpts:

I arise today Through the strength of heaven: Light of sun, Radiance of moon, Splendor of fire, Speed of lightning, Swiftness of wind, Depth of sea, Stability of earth, Firmness of rock. I arise today Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through belief in the threeness, Through confession of the oneness, Of the Creator of Creation.

What ever your beliefs are, Patrick was a remarkable man with a great love for Ireland. Some of his writings still exist, the “Confessio” and the “Epistola ad Coroticum.” If you get a chance, take a look at them and hear the words of the Saint of Ireland.

Happy St. Patricks Day! Beannachtam na Femle Padraig!

Irish Arts & Entertaniment

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