The Irish-American Writers & Artists throw a Southwest salon
Emerald wit: The Irish-American Writers & Artists
Irish pubs have a proud tradition of poetry readings, at which famous and nonfamous writers share their recent writings with friends and neighbors who gather in celebration of the end of a hard day’s work and the beginning of an evening of literature, art, and song. In this spirit, in 2011 writer Malachy McCourt founded the Irish-American Writers & Artists group, which began holding salons at New York City’s Bar Thalia and the Cell Theatre for established and emerging writers as an avenue to highlight the artistic traditions of Irish Americans. For the Irish diaspora — folks living far outside County Cork and the Irish-American hubs of New York and Boston — recalling such recitations instantly conjures the taste of Guinness Stout, the melancholy strains of Gaelic ballads, and the passionate brogues of poets arguing late into the night.
At 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23, such evenings of Irish poetry and culture are more than memories at Teatro Paraguas (3205 Calle Marie) when the IAWA hosts its first Southwestern salon, featuring poets from New Mexico, Texas, Kentucky, and Missouri, including John Macker (Disassembled Badlands); Lawrence Welsh (Begging for Vultures: New and Selected Poems, 1994-2009); Ann Neelon (Easter Vigil); Anne Valley-Fox (Nightfall); Eammon Wall (Junction City: New and Selected Poems: 1990-2015); John Roche (The Joe Poems: The Continuing Saga of Joe the Poet); and Bryce Milligan (Take to the Highway: Arabesques for Travelers). Argos MacCallum, president of Teatro Paraguas, also reads. The event includes performances of Irish jigs and reels. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.teatroparaguas.org. — Jennifer Levin