[caption id="attachment_69526" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Barry McGuigan, right, defeated Paul Huggins on his way to the world title."]
Satirical hip-hop duo the Rubberbandits will appear on stage in New York as part of this year’s Craic Festival, which begins March 8.
“There’s a lot of buzz around them right now,” said Terence Mulligan, the festival organizer.
The Limerick act that has taken Ireland by storm over the past couple of years is just one aspect of the musical side of the program at the Mercury Lounge Also booked to travel are the Mighty Stef, Duke Special, The Minutes and RAMS Pocket Radio.
The Minutes will support the Rubberbandists. “They’re one of the hottest bands in Dublin right now,” Mulligan said.
Meanwhile Colm Meaney and Brendan Gleeson will return to screens on the film side of the program at Tribeca Cinemas.
Meaney will be on hand to discuss “Parked,” which is about a man who returns to Ireland and has nowhere to live but his car. “He’s always entertaining in the Q & A,” Mulligan said. “He’s a Craic favorite.”
A particular highlight in the organizer’s view is “In Sunshine or In Showdows,” which tells the story behind the epic world featherweight title fight between County Monaghan’s Barry McGuigan and champion Eusebio Pedroza of Panama at the Loftus Road football ground in London on June 8, 1985.
“I remember that fight,” said Mulligan, who grew up around Irish-American boxing enthusiasts.
“Everybody rode the McGuigan wave for a couple of years,” he said. “Back then, Ireland needed a champion.”
The Craic 2012 will also feature the Kids Fleadh, which includes family-friendly short films, step dancing and an Irish breakfast.
“Giddy up,” Mulligan said about this year’s Craic Festival, while paraphrasing the Rubberbandits. “It’s going to one hell of a ride.”
For information go to www.thecraicfest.com.
