Culture Ireland Performing Arts Showcases, New York Jan 2010

Over 90 leading Irish performers and promoters will touch down in New York in January to present and promote some of the best of Irish performing arts practice to an audience of international presenters and promoters.

Now in its third year, this year’s showcase programme and delegation is the largest representation of Irish arts practice to date and features work at APAP, Under the Radar [at the Public Theater] and Coil [at PS122] as well as performances at the Irish Arts Center, Baryshnikov Arts Center, Symphony Space, Flea Theater and Shelter Studios.

In four separate showcases Culture Ireland, will present traditional and contemporary music, contemporary dance and theatre at venues across New York.  The showcases offer a unique opportunity for international presenters, media and the general public to immerse themselves in a selection of some of the best of Irish performing arts, over the course of one weekend.

Among the many works to be presented are a moving and eloquent song cycle performed by a community cast of Irish gay men; concerts by traditional and contemporary musicians including the Grammy-nominated Iarla Ó Lionáird; the US premiere of a new Sam Shepherd play by Dublin’s Abbey Theatre; and contemporary dance recently seen in Laurie Uprichard’s Dublin Dance Festival [former Director, New York Danspace Project].

Speaking on behalf of Culture Ireland, Eugene Downes (CEO) said: "More than ever before, Irish artists are defining Ireland's global reputation as a leader in imagination and innovation. The outstanding performing artists and companies we are showcasing in New York are great ambassadors for creative Ireland and have ambitious plans for US touring, collaboration and co-production.    Irish culture has a unique resonance in America, and we aim to enhance that energy for the future, embracing new models of cultural cooperation and working with a wide range of partners in New York and across the United States."

Since its foundation in 2005, Culture Ireland has supported over 1500 artists and companies to present some of the best of contemporary Irish arts practice worldwide. In 2008 alone, over 500,000 people saw a live performance by an Irish theatre or dance company, outside Ireland, with the support of Culture Ireland.

Recent Culture Ireland supported projects in New York include Druid Theatre Company’s Walworth Farce and New Electric Ballroom, both of which met with huge critical and commercial success and Fishamble’s production of Sebastian Barry’s Pride of Parnell Street [Booker Prize nominee 2009 and Winner of the Costa Book of the Year 2009 for The Secret Scripture].

 

Read details of Culture Ireland Performing Arts Showcases