IRISH-MEXICAN ALLIANCE event in support of JOURNALISTS' RIGHTS

MEDIA ADVISORY/DAYBOOK ITEM

Celtic Rock Legends Black 47 Celebrates 21st Birthday

Black 47 will celebrate their 21^st birthday at Connolly’s, 121 W. 45^th. Street, NYC on Saturday Nov. 20^th at 10:30pm. For the first part of the night they will perform their hit CD, “Fire of Freedom” in its entirety and later do selections from their 12 other CDs. This will be their only New York City engagement until New Year’s Eve, also at Connolly’s. 

Recently the Black 47 song Big Fellah was featured for three uninterrupted minutes on FX Cable’s most popular show “Sons of Anarchy.”  Earlier this fall Black 47 appeared in “Music of Ireland, Welcome to America,” as part of a national PBS pledge drive, co-hosted by Black 47’s Larry Kirwan and Laura Savini of PBS.

Leaders in Celtic Rock, the genre they helped create, Black 47 formed in October 1989, and took their name from the worst year of the Irish Potato Famine.   By 1992 they had their first hit single, Funky Céilí.  The band’s signature eclectic sound, socially conscious lyrics and off-the-wall live shows paved the way for other Irish influenced bands such as Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys. 

Black 47 has appeared on the late night shows of Jay Leno, David Letterman and Conan O’Brien and has been profiled in most major magazines and newspapers.  Their CD, “Trouble in the Land,” was recently voted the “top Irish-American album of the decade” by readers of www.Irishcentral.com

Black 47 is led by Larry Kirwan (guitar/vocals).  He has written ten plays and musicals produced in the US and Europe; five published under the title Mad Angels.  Kirwan’s novel, “Liverpool Fantasy,” an alternate history of the Beatles, received much critical acclaim and has been translated into Spanish, Greek and Japanese.  His most recent novel, “Rockin’ The Bronx” and his memoir, “Green Suede Shoes,” have both been published in the US and UK. He hosts the popular “Celtic Crush” for SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and writes a weekly column for the Irish Echo newspaper.

Geoffrey Blythe (saxophones) was a founder member of Dexy’s Midnight Runners.  Fred Parcells (trombone) has worked extensively in Latin/Jazz and big bands.  Thomas Hamlin (drums) is a veteran of the Max’s/CBGB’s scene.  Joseph Mulvanerty brings a rare jazz and blues flare to the uilleann pipes and various flutes, while Joseph “Bearclaw” Burcaw offers a wealth of funk/R&B experience as well as a dynamic stage presence

Black 47’s new compilation CD, “Funky Ceili – The Party Songs,” will be released in Feb. 2011.

For more information on Black 47, visit www.Black47.com or contact Kellyn Slone at 646.943.3669 or KellynS@UFOmusic.net.

RELIEF FOR HAITI: ISLAND PEOPLE SUPPORTING ISLAND PEOPLE

Irish Americans Writers & Artists, Inc. Host Benefit to Raise Funds for Haiti

Irish & Haitian Musicians Headline Feb. 24 Event at NYC’s Connolly’s Klub 45

(New York)  One island people will help another through a multi-cultural evening of music and readings to raise money for the relief effort in Haiti.  Hosted by Irish American Writers & Artists, Inc. (IAW&A), the Wed., Feb. 24^th event gets underway at 7:00 pm sharp at Klub 45, the music venue above Connolly’s Pub on West 45^th Street near New York’s Times Square.

Terry George, the Academy Award nominated director/writer of the film “Hotel Rwanda” will host “Relief for Haiti: Island People Supporting Island People.” Scheduled musical guests include Moya Brennan, Ashley Davis, Black 47, Jameson’s Revenge, Morning Star, Clay Ross & Matuto, Seanchai and Unity Squad, as well as a Haitian band Brother High Kanaval and Creole jazz band Mozajik.  Readers will include National Book Award winner Colum McCann, Amy Goodman of Democracy Now, Malachy McCourt, T.J. English, Michael Patrick MacDonald and others.

Proceeds from the event will support the Haitian relief efforts of Concern Worldwide, the international humanitarian relief agency that was founded in Ireland 41 years ago. Concern has worked in Haiti since 1994 and its team of 260 staffers has developed a large local infrastructure that has put the organization at the heart of Haitian relief efforts.

“Island people are known for their fierce pride and independence,” IAW&A co-founder T.J. English said. “And yet, when disaster strikes, island people are made vulnerable by the very thing that makes them unique.  Surrounded by water, they become dependant on the outside world for basic supplies. Few people know this better than the Irish. The earthquake that struck Haiti last month is on a scale equivalent to the Great Famine in Ireland.

“Directing our donations through Concern is the best way we can help our island brothers and sisters in Haiti,” he added.

“During the period of ‘The Great Hunger,’ when the people of Ireland were in greatest need, the world responded, and the Irish have never forgotten,” Siobhan Walsh, Executive Director of Concern Worldwide US said. “As Seamus Heaney so eloquently put it, ‘who is our neighbor, our neighbor is all mankind.’ This is an extraordinary example of the Irish never forgetting its history and always reaching out to help those less fortunate in their darkest hour. It’s a great honor for Concern to be chosen by the Irish American Writers & Artists and we thank them for making this event possible.”

DETAILS:             RELIEF FOR HAITI: ISLAND PEOPLE SUPPORTING ISLAND PEOPLE

WHEN:            Wed., Feb. 24, 2010

Doors open 6:30 pm, show starts 7:00 pm sharp, scheduled until 11:00 pm

WHERE:         Connolly’s Pub-3^rd floor, Klub 45, 121 W. 45th St. (btwn. 6^th & 7^th Ave.) NY, NY

ADMISSION: $30 suggested donation, tax deductible

IAW&A is a non-profit organization dedicated to the celebration of Irish American writers, actors, musicians, filmmakers and artists both past and present, and to the principle that by promoting and appreciating creative expression, we can enhance the human condition. Our 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.

Concern Worldwide US, Inc. is an affiliate of Concern Worldwide and supports the Concern network by recruiting staff, supporting program development, creating public awareness of humanitarian issues and financially supporting programs. Concern Worldwide is a non-governmental, international, humanitarian organization dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.

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Irish Network NYC Provides Links to Haiti Relief

Wanted to pass along this info on ways the Irish and Irish American comunities can quickly and efficiently contribute to the Haiti releif effort.  The Irish based aid agency Concern has been operating in Haiti for more than 15 years.  

Irish Network NYC Announcement Crisis in Haiti IN-NYC is blessed to have several Concern USA workers as members and several of our members have supported Concern in its efforts to bring aid relief to some of the most devastated areas of the world.  None of those areas is more devastated right now than Haiti. Concern has been operating air relief in Haiti since 1994 and with an on-the-ground presence of over 100 staff, it is one of the most prominently placed and vital aid organizations that can bring some measure of relief in the coming days, weeks and months.  To accomplish this, Concern needs IN-NYC's help.   As helpless as we feel when seeing horrible images of what has befallen that ill-fated land, one way we can provide direct assistance is with a donation to Concern.  All IN-NYC members and supporters are urgently encouraged to go to www.concernusa.org and make a donation. Other avenues of supporting the relief efforts. SMS text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts SMS text "YELE" to 501501 to Donate $5 to Yele Haiti's Earthquake Relief efforts g_Hx9tsXkRs-0JfnkTRoqQpKSwNbiOXvry-nNHy" target="_blank">UNICEF Save the Children Doctors without Borders International Rescue Committee Oxfam USA For up to date images of what is happening on the ground in Haiti see the  Boston Globe Big Picture Irish Network NYC IN-NYC Mount Kisco, New York 10549 914 619 5399

BLACK 47 TOPS POLL: BEST IRISH AMERICAN ALBUM OF THE DECADE

BLACK 47 TOPS POLL: BEST IRISH AMERICAN ALBUM OF THE DECADE

The envelope please….

…and the winner of the IrishCentral music poll for Best Irish American Album of the Decade goes to…Black 47, for “Trouble in the Land,” released in 2000 by the New York based Celtic rock group that recently celebrated its 20^th anniversary.

"It was a thrill to have “Trouble in the Land” voted Best Irish-American album of the decade, given that the other nominations were all so merited, and because “Trouble” was released back in 2000," Black 47's Larry Kirwan said.  "Little did we know that the title would be so prophetic; still, it's gratifying to know that the material has held up.  Hopefully “Bankers and Gangsters” which comes out on March 2nd will have such lasting power."

IrishCentral.com, a leading website site for all things Irish, reported that the contest drew the biggest response to any IrishCentral poll in any category or on any topic.  For more information about the IrishCentral music poll go to http://bit.ly/5CevL4.

Black 47 will be back in action in New York for three consecutive Saturday night shows on Feb. 13, 20 & 27 at Connolly's Klub 45 (121 W 45^th St., NYC http://www.connollyspubandrestaurant.com/dev/) as well as their big St. Patrick’s Day performance on March 17 at B.B. King’s Blues Club & Grill (237 W 42 St., NYC, http://www.bbkingblues.com/).

Named for the worst year of the Irish Potato Famine 1847, Black 47 is led by Larry Kirwan (guitar/vocals). Host “Celtic Crush” on SiriusXM Satellite Radio Kirwan is also a prolific writer whose new novel, Rockin’ The Bronx, will be published by Brandon/Dufour on Feb. 23, 2010.  Geoffrey Blythe (saxophones) was a founder member of Dexy’s Midnight Runners.  Fred Parcells(trombone) has worked extensively in Latin/Jazz and big bands.  Thomas Hamlin (drums) is a veteran of the Max’s/CBGB’s scene. Joseph Mulvanerty is recognized as one of the great innovators of the Irish uilleann pipes bringing a rare jazz and blues flare to this most traditional of instruments. The newest member, Joseph Bearclaw brings a wealth of funk/R&B experience as well as a dynamic stage presence.

For more information about Black 47 go to www.black47.com.

January 5, 2010

Contact:  

John Lee

John Lee MEDIA

johnlee@johnleemedia.com

www.johnleemedia.com

Kirwan on NYC Anniversary gigs: "...tourists gawl where pimps once prowled."

"New York was always the center of music for me.  New York was Bob Dylan, Miles Davis, The Clancy Brothers, The Velvet Underground, Television,  CBGB's, Max's Kansas City.  And right from the start with Black 47 we concentrated on creating our own scene.  We didn't give a damn about playing anyone else's.  Because that's not New York to us.  

BLACK 47--the new BLACK

Legendary Irish Band BLACK 47 Celebrates “20 Years on the Road”

Legendary Irish Band BLACK 47 Celebrates “20 Years on the Road”

Brings Back 1989 prices for Four Consecutive Saturday Shows

         $10 Admission: Nov. 21/28; Dec. 5/12 at 10:30pm at Connolly’s KLUB 45, 121 W 45^th St., NYC

Black 47’s NYC shows have been described as “a rite of passage for all New Yorkers.” For the last nine months they have been touring the country, along with recording 13 new songs for Bankers and Gangsters, which will be released in February 2010. But for four nights they will celebrate their New York City beginnings with 1989 prices of $10.  Along with the new material they will highlight songs from all stages of their controversial career.

Black 47 formed in the Bronx in late 1989 and burst onto the American scene in 1993 with their hit single, Funky Céilí.  With a controversial eclectic sound as well as provocative lyrics, Black 47 fuses Reggae, Rock, Traditional Irish, Hip-Hop, Folk, New Orleans & Modern Jazz into a New York City gumbo. Their lyrics reflect the drama and black humor of a changing world as they see it, from Belfast to Baghdad, The Bronx to Kabul.

They have appeared on all major TV shows including The Tonight Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien and have been profiled by most national magazines and newspapers. They have released twelve CDs including last year’s IRAQ, hailed by Rolling Stone as “an important document, more a prayer than a protest.”

They have appeared in movies such as The Saint of Fort Washington with Matt Dillon and Danny Glover, and their music has been featured in Stephen Rea's The Break, Jim Sheridan's Into the West, and Timothy Dalton's Deterrence amongst others. They composed the music for and performed in the ITV film Victim 0001, a documentary about their friend, Fr. Mychal Judge.

Taking their name from the blackest year of the Irish Potato Famine, Black 47’s signature eclectic sound, socio-political lyrics and off-the-wall live shows paved the way for other Irish influenced bands such as Flogging Molly and The Dropkick Murphys. Their songs have long been used in political science and history courses in many high schools and colleges throughout the US. 

Black 47 is led by Larry Kirwan (guitar/vocals) who has written ten plays published under the title Mad Angels, along with a novel, Liverpool Fantasy, an alternate history of the Beatles, and a memoir Green Suede Shoes. He is host of “Celtic Crush” on SiriusXM Satellite Radio and writes a weekly column for the Irish Echo newspaper. His new novel, Rockin’ The Bronx, will be published in March 2010.

Geoffrey Blythe (saxophones) was a founder member of Dexy’s Midnight Runners.  Fred Parcells (trombone) has worked extensively in Latin/Jazz and big bands.  Thomas Hamlin (drums) is a veteran of the Max’s/CBGB’s scene.  Joseph Mulvanerty is recognized as one of the great innovators of the Irish uilleann pipes bringing a rare jazz and blues flare to this most traditional of instruments. The newest member, Joseph Bearclaw brings a wealth of funk/R&B experience as well as a dynamic stage presence.

For its 20^th Anniversary shows, Black 47 plans to take the throng gathered at Connolly’s KLUB 45 on a thrilling journey through history and political struggle that will not only entertain but open up audiences to a new cultural experience.   Doors open at 9pm. Band onstage at 10:30pm sharp. Advance tickets can be purchased online at www.black47.com.