Teatro Paraguas to Host Irish Poetry Gala

A wide range of poets, writers, musicians and story tellers will perform on Saturday, September 23 from 6-8 p.m. at the Teatro Paraguas in Santa Fe, as a non-profit Irish-American collective holds its first Southwest salon.

free and open to the public event is sponsored by the Irish American Writers & Artists, Inc., a nonprofit organization that was founded in 2011 by writer Malachy McCourt in New York and is dedicated to the celebration of Irish-American writers, actors, musicians, filmmakers and artists both past and present.

The Santa Fe event will feature a diverse group of writers and musicians, including Jeannie Allen, Renny Golden, Bruce Holsapple, Tom Ireland, John Macker, Argos MacCallum, Bryce Milligan, Casey Mraz, Ann Neelon, Bill Nevins, Anne Valley-Fox, John Roche, Eamonn Wall, Megan McNiel Welsh and Lawrence Welsh. Each performer gets a 10-minute slot.

Six years ago, the salons started in New York City as offshoots to the monthly IAW&A meetings. Today, bi-weekly salons are held at Bar Thalia and the Cell Theatre where groups of novelists, poets, musicians, filmmakers, painters and theatre artists, share their work. Salons have also been held in the Northeast, Chicago, and St. Louis, all featuring both emerging and experienced artists and performers.

According to the group's mission statement, the IAW&A, Inc. is an independent and progressive collective dedicated to the principle that by promoting and appreciating creative expression, the members can enhance the human condition. The collective's goal is to highlight the rich tradition of Irish Americans in all manner of artistic endeavor in the United States, from the 19th century to the present day.

The theater is located at 3205 Calle Marie in Santa Fe, and the event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Lawrence Welsh at 915-355-5244.