A look back at the Rotunda

Aoife Williamson will appear in "Round Room."

It will be a busy few days on the arts front, as always, over the next few days in New York and beyond. Here are a few offerings in Manhattan and on Long Island that were discussed in the pages of the Irish Echo over the last couple of weeks, plus a symposium in Boston.

On Monday, “Round Room,” written by Honor Molloy and directed by Kira Simring at the Cell Theatre, 338 West 23rd St., New York, N.Y., tells the story of the Rotunda Maternity Hospital, Dublin. A way station for handywomen and harlots, the fishmonger, and the airline hostess. Those eternally present, those forever-dead. All caught in the great sweep of time. It features Orlagh Cassidy, Gina Costigan, Catherine Eaton, Rachel Pickup, Heather Thiry and Aoife Williamson.

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Playwright Honor Molloy.

On Saturday, April 28, Pierce Turner will present a “Parlor Performance” at the Manhattan nightclub Joe’s Pub. Special guests include Fred Parcells on trombone and vocals, Cillian Valelay of Lunasa on uileann pipes and Avon Faire on vocals and guitar. Tickets for the 9:30 show can be bought at the Joe’s Pub Box Office (212) 539-8500.

Pierce Turner.

An all-day symposium “John Hume: His Vision & Legacy for Ireland” will be held Saturday, April 28, at Boston College.

The Derry-born leader’s fellow Social Democratic & Labour Party member Sean Farren will launch his book “John Hume: In His Own Words” at a lunchtime event with Irish Ambassador Dan Mulhall. Farren, with another party colleague Denis Haughey, also edited a 2015 book, a collection of essays about Hume.

The event is free and open to the public. Contact irish@bc.edu for further details.

John Connolly

On Sunday afternoon, internationally bestselling Dublin author John Connolly will be the guest at a reception and screening of Laurel and Hardy's short films at Glucksman Ireland House, NYU, in celebration of Connolly’s latest novel, “he,” which reimagines the life of Stan Laurel. For more information, go to http://as.nyu.edu/irelandhouse.

Also on Sunday afternoon, traditional musician James Keane’s life and legacy will be celebrated at the Irish American Center in Mineola, L.I.. Doors will open at 2:00, the concert will begin at 3:00 and run until 5:00. Food will be served from 5 p.m.-6 p.m. and will be followed by an all-star céilí from 6:00-8:00. To learn more and book your ticket in advance, visit tinyurl.com/JamesKeaneTribute.

James Keane.

Nollaig Na mBan NY is set to celebrate the festival of Bealtaine one day early on this coming Monday evening at 6:30 p.m., at Ripley Grier Studios, 520 Eighth Ave, New York City.

In ancient Ireland, Bealtaine or May 1 marked the beginning of summer when cattle were driven out to summer pastures, and rituals were performed to encourage growth.

Students of the Niall O’Leary School of Irish Dance, dancer Mairen Grace Upton, poet Margaret McCarthy, Katie Mulholland, a former New York Rose, poet Miranda Stinson, Irish Writers & Artists’ John Kearns, poet Bernadette Cullen, songwriter Bernard Smith, Musicians Calum Pasqua and Matthew Christian.

Mairen Grace Upton

Ryan and Maura Mulligan will be on hand to show steps in traditional step, and sean nós dancing.

The suggested donation of $20 will benefit the Dwelling Place of New York, a transitional residence for homeless women in midtown Manhattan: http://thedwellingplaceofny.org.

Meanwhile, Conor McPherson’s “The Seafarer” will continue at the Irish Rep through at the Irish Repertory Theatre at 132 West 22nd St., through May 24. It is directed by Ciaran O’Reilly. Tickets from www.irishrep.org.

Matthew Broderick in “The Seafarer” at the

Irish Rep. PHOTO BY CAROL ROSEGG

 

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