From Washington to Killorglin for Young Americans

KILLORGLIN Community College Deputy Principal Dónal O’Reilly has told The Kerryman of his excitement at the upcoming visit of ‘The Young Americans’, a charitable organisation whose aim is ‘to promote goodwill through music, dance, performance, education and cultural interaction.’

The organisation works with students from all over the US and Europe, and will make its way to the mid-Kerry town to work with Kerry’s youth between February 3 and 5.

They cover all aspects of performance, music, arts, drama and comedy, and have told

The Kerryman that all are welcome to attend, whether experienced in speech and drama or just looking to build confidence.

“Places are limited and will be allocated on a ‘first come’ basis, so we’d encourage people to register early,” Dónal said. “They are in demand and difficult to book, so it’s a major opportunity for everyone to have them here.”

The group boasts a colourful history: it was founded in 1962, and its tours were the subject matter of the 1967 Oscar-winning feature length documentary ‘Young Americans.’

During the summer of 1976, its members performed regularly at the foot of the Washington monument as part of the US bicentennial celebrations, and they also appeared on a Crosby TV Special, as well as the Johnny Carson Show, and the Ed Sullivan Show.

The Killorglin workshops begin on February 3, running from 3.30pm to 8.30pm. The February 4 workshop runs from 9am to 7pm, and the final workshop on February 5 from 11.00am to 12.00pm will be followed by a 2.30pm to 4.30pm performance. Registration costs €55 per person, and can be arranged by phoning Dónal at (066) 976 1168.

Further information on ‘The Young Americans’ is available at www.youngamericans.org/ youth-program/uk-ireland/.