.After an August break, it was great to be back at Slainte Oakland and to be welcomed by our favorite server Shante and Ed, the co-owner. They even had a sign outside announcing “TONIGHT – Irish American Writers and Artists 7 pm”
Your diarist and host shared IAW&A news and upcoming events. I read a short memoir piece about my first encounters with American playwrights such as Lillian Hellman, Arthur Miller, and especially Eugene O’Neill during my high school years in the Bronx. Could I get out of the dreaded essay for the New York State Regents exam and answer the 25 multiple-choice questions in her work titled “Me, Eugene O’Neill 1973? Spoiler, I do.
Robert Anderson.
Robert Anderson, a favorite of Irish American Writers & Artists, sang solo this time – “April Come She Will,” a cover of a Simon & Garfunkel song. We enjoyed his two originals: “Words by Heart” and “Are You Asleep.” The latter was a sweet one about talking to his wife in the midnight darkness of their bedroom. So lovely.
Ed and Shante.
Barbara McVeigh read from her work in progress, “Celtic in the land of the Miwok” which reveals her insights about her forbears who came from Ireland in the 1850s during the Famine. She read a first-person account of the coffin ships he may have witnessed and questions how the world could allow such cruelty and famine. Now, five generations later, she questions “How can the world allow such suffering that is going on in Gaza?” Thoughtful and uncomfortable are her insights on how we must make a better world and not ignore suffering while it is going on.
Sean Lightholder, a masterful guitarist, was accompanied by dynamic flutist Robin DeMartini. Sean had the whole bar laughing and singing along to his CaliCeltic style that asks the question, “How would an Irish-style Jimmy Buffett sound? Sean, a master storyteller as well, gave us a history lesson in the first song, “Hotaling’s Whiskey,” about the only building, a whiskey distillery, to withstand the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. By the second chorus, we all joined in.
Sean Lightholder.
“If, as they say, God spanked the town for being over frisky. Why did he burn the churches down and save Hotaling’s Whiskey”
Another hilarious song, “No Porter on Paddy’s,” is a ballad about how unfortunate it was that the 2020 pandemic and lockdown began on St. Patrick’s Day. His hilarious dream song, “Beer from St. James Gate,” took us on a journey while he sought a Guinness at many a stereotypical San Francisco bar (Picture craft beers with hints of avocado), only to be turned away. The song had an engaging chorus that I swear should become a Guinness ad…
“I don’t mean to seem irate; I want a beer from St. James Gate.”
As an encore, Sean and Robin graced us with a sweet, lovely, lilting song, “Whiskey Kisses.”
A perfect ending to the September salon at Slainte, as we look forward to many fall Irish events!
Lori Cassels.
