The New York Irish Center presents five continuous hours of music and dance set against the backdrop of Queens at the fifth annual “Queens Irish Heritage Festival” on Sunday June 14, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. The free outdoor concert event, which celebrates the interconnections of New York’s Irish community and numerous other communities, takes place at Culture Lab LIC, 5-25 46th Avenue, in Long Island City, and is co-presented by Culture Lab LIC and McManus Irish Dance.
Among the featured performers are the folk-contemporary dance combo JigGiG (with former Riverdance principals Brandon Asazawa, Andy O’Reilly and Belle Brenton); sean-nós singer Madelyn Monaghan (with Caleb Adams); folk balladeer Allen Gogarty; folk performer Donie Carroll; Cillian Vallely from Lunasa; singer-songwriter Niamh Hyland (with Shu Sakae); the husband and wife folk duo Bob and Bronagh Batch, and the singers Mollie Downes; Gigi McCourt, and Kevin McCormack.
Among the dance groups are the folk dance and music youth corps of McManus Irish Dance, and Darrah Carr Dance.
Showcasing NYIC’s popular “Crossroads Concerts” series blending Irish folk traditions with heritages from around the world (now in its second season), will be master players from Turkey and West Africa in separate sets.
Among the “Crossroads” musicians from West Africa are: Amos Gabia (djembe), Moussa Drame (djembe), and Vado Diomande (djembe/dance). And from Turkey: Eren Erdogan (kaval), Taulant Mehmeti (guitar), Nezih Antakli (darbuka), Leen Abaza (dancer, whirling dervish dancers).
The Irish folk musicians are: Dylan James (fiddle, banjo, dance), Eileen Goodman (flute, tin whistle), and Colin Harte (voice, piano, bodhran), who is the series’ curator.
“Once again we are delighted to convene a truly exemplary line-up of local artists for this year’s fifth annual free music and dance concert,” said George C. Heslin, NYIC’s executive director. “Whether it rains or shines, Culture Lab will be the place to celebrate the diversity of Queens, which rightfully is celebrated as the World’s Borough!”
Edjo Wheeler, Culture Lab LIC’s executive director, added: “Culture Lab LIC exists to bring people together through arts, culture, and community, making this partnership with the NY Irish Center a perfect fit. Celebrating heritage in the world’s borough is not just aligned with our mission, it’s central to it.”
The 5th annual “Queens Irish Heritage Festival” takes place rain or shine on Sunday June 14, from 4pm to 9pm, at Culture Hub LIC, 5-25 46th Ave, in Long Island City (www.culturelablic.org). Food trucks are adjacent to the performance area. Visitors can stop by anytime between 4 p.m. and 9pm. The closest subway is the 7 train Vernon Jackson stop.
For information visit www.NewYorkIrishCenter.org.
