Irish Studies Calendar
Spring 2012
A series of Gaelic Roots Music, Song, Dance, and Lectures
Sponsored by the Center for Irish Programs, Boston College
Admission to events is free
Event contact: irish@bc.edu or 671-552-6396
Web: http://www.bc.edu/gaelicroots
Burst the Heart Open
An exhibition of Irish Paintings in the Burns Library Fine Print and Irish Rooms
November 14, 2011-January 23, 2012
Organized by Culture Ireland and The Office of Public Works, Ireland
in conjunction with their program, A Year of Irish Arts in America, and
with the support of The Boston College Center for Irish Programs and
Boston College Libraries.
Painter, Illustrator, Author: Irish Art in the Twentieth Century
The passion for Irish painting present in Burst the Heart Open cannot be contained on oil and canvas. The book has also served as a site where Irish painters have honed their craft as illustrators, designers and writers. This intersection of Irish painting, literature, and book arts has provided an opportunity for the Burns Library to place volumes from its Irish and Fine Print Collections in dialogue with Irish painting.
As a companion exhibit to Burst the Heart Open, Painter, Illustrator, Author: Irish Art in the Twentieth Century seeks to understand the paintings of artists such as Jack B. Yeats, Louis le Brocquy, Norah McGuinness, and Barrie Cooke through a consideration of their artistic endeavors printed within the pages of books. Taken together, the exhibits invite the viewer to experience the richness of Irish art in a variety of media and emphasize the fruitful collaboration between Irish painting and the book arts in the twentieth century.
Burns Library Hours: Sun. Mon. Tues. Wed. Thur. Fri. Sat.
CLOSED 9a-5p 9a-5p 9a-8p 9a-5p 9a-5p 10a-2p
Hanneke Cassel Band: Fiddle, Cello, and Guitar
2101 Commonwealth Avenue, Brighton
Directions: see below
Thursday, January 26, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Hanneke Cassel won the US national Scottish Fiddle Championship in 1997 and has performed and taught fiddle across North America, Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and China. She is originally from Oregon and holds a bachelor's of music in violin performance from Berklee College of Music. Joining her is Ariel Friedman, who earned a cello performance degree from Northwestern University and a master's in contemporary improvisation from New England Conservatory. A 2009 recipient of the American String Teachers' Association Alternative Styles Award, Friedman's approach to the cello reflects a continuing exploration of American roots traditions. Canadian native Christopher Lewis fills out the band's sound with his driving guitar playing, adding a touch of rock and popular influence to the music traditions of Scotland.
Irish Dance & Ceili, directed by Kieran Jordan, T.C.R.G.
With live music by Seamus Connolly & friends
Gasson Hall Irish Room
Thursday, March 29, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Irish Dance and Ceili - Directed by Boston College's Irish dance faculty member, Kieran Jordan, with live music by Seamus Connolly and friends. Dances will be taught by Kieran and dancers of all ages and levels are welcome. Kieran is an internationally recognized performer, teacher and choreographer of Irish dance. Winner of an Artist Fellowship from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Philadelphia native holds a bachelor's degree from Boston College, a master's in contemporary dance performance from the University of Limerick, and the T.C.R.G. certificate for teaching Irish dance. Originally from County Clare, master fiddle player Seamus Connolly is Sullivan Family Artist-in-Residence in Irish Programs, where he directs the Irish music and dance programs on campus. Connolly performs and teaches internationally, and his music honors include ten All-Ireland fiddle championships and the Fiddler of Dooney award.
Irish Songs, a concert by Cathie Ryan
Walsh Hall Function Room, located at 150 St. Thomas More Rd. on BC's Chestnut Hill campus
Thursday, April 12, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Cathie Ryan has established herself as one of the most prominent singer-songwriters in the world of Celtic music. She was the lead singer of Cherish the Ladies for seven years, has released four critically acclaimed CDs on Shanachie Records, and is featured on more than forty compilations of Celtic music, including A Woman's Heart - A Decade On. The Detroit-born Ryan is a frequent performer on radio and television in the United States and Europe, and was voted one of the Top 100 Irish Americans by Irish America Magazine. Her repertoire spans a wide range of material, including songs in Irish along with her own compositions.
Irish Accordion, Fiddle, and Song
Concert by Seamus Begley and Oisin Mac Diarmada
Walsh Hall Function Room, located at 150 St. Thomas More Road on BC's Chestnut Hill campus
Wednesday, May 2, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Singer, accordionist and storyteller Seamus Begley hails from the Irish-speaking area of Dingle, County Kerry. A member of the renowned musical Begley family, he began singing and playing fiddle at a young age in County Clare. He subsequently moved to County Sligo, where he developed a deep interest in the musical style of the North Connacht region. Founder of the musical group Teada, Mac Diarmada is also a regular solo performer, appearing recently as guest soloist with the Southern Georgia Symphony Orchestra.
Directions to 2101 Commonwealth Ave.:
From the East (Boston): The parking entrance for Brighton campus is one half mile west of Chestnut Hill Avenue. Turn right at the sign marked "construction entrance", 300 feet west of Greycliff Road. 2101 Commonwealth Avenue, formerly the Cardinal's residence, will be on your right.
From the West (Newton): Driving east on Commonwealth Avenue, continue past the Boston College main gate. Cross the Lake Street intersection, and continue east on Commonwealth Avenue for another 0.2 miles. With Evergreen Cemetery on your right, make a U-turn and travel west on Commonwealth Avenue for 0.1 miles. Turn right at the sign marked "construction entrance," 300 feet west of Greycliff Road. 2101 Commonwealth Avenue, formerly the Cardinal's residence, will be on your right.
Public transportation: The closest MBTA green line stop is the B line's "Boston College" stop. Cross Lake Street and continue walking 0.1 miles east on Commonwealth Avenue. Enter Brighton Campus at the "construction entrance." 2101 Commonwealth, formerly the Cardinal's residence, will be on your right. The 86 bus route is another nearby option.
Inclement weather: visit http://www.bc.edu/bcinfo for updates on weather-related cancellations at BC.