Date: Friday, October 30, 2009
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: Chicago
Celebrate the Celtic New Year with a Two-Day Celebration of Irish Books, Arts and Music.
Malachy McCourt, Michael Patrick MacDonald, Black 47 and Maura O'Connell are just some of the names scheduled to appear at iBAM!, an Irish book, art, and music celebration that will be held over the Halloween weekend; October 30, 31 and November 1 at the Irish American Heritage Center. This festival is a fundraiser for the Irish American Heritage Center and its Library.
Sponsored by Irish American News, the Irish American Heritage Center and theirishbookclub.com, iBAM! will feature book signings, panel discussions, art exhibits, lectures, theatre performances, live music and Irish dance, by Irish and Irish-themed authors, artists and musicians. Utilizing every floor of the IAHC, both days feature a dazzling array of cultural talent for children and adults alike. Highlights include a multi-media presentation on the life of Bram Stoker, the Irish writer who gave the world Dracula; and specifically for children, a Halloween show on Saturday afternoon, a costume parade and face painting.
iBAM! opens at 11am each day and runs until 9pm. The cost to attend iBAM! is $5. Children 12 and under are free.
On Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1, the festivities kick-off at 11am with a full Irish Breakfast, catered by Winston's. The cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children and reservations are required. Food and drink will be served all day and a relaxing place to enjoy a cup of tea or a refreshing pint while reading your new purchases will be available.
iBAM! kicks off the weekend with a special, black-tie optional, dinner in the IAHC's beautiful new Grand Ballroom on Friday, October 30. The entertainment is headed by the inimitable Malachy McCourt and includes live music and the first ever iBAM!
Cultural Arts award ceremony where five individuals will be honored for their outstanding contributions to Irish American culture. The dinner is from 6-11pm and the cost is $100. Reservations are required.
The current line-up includes artist Philip Gray and cookbook author and Irish TV personality, Clodagh McKenna, both direct from Ireland, writers and brothers Malachy and Alphie McCourt, author and playwright Larry Kirwan (also of Black 47), Black 47, the Kreelers, Michael Patrick MacDonald, Aislinn Gagliardi, Reilly, The Academy of Irish Music, Baal Tinne, Dyed in the Wool, Mary Pat Kelly, Sharon Bossard, John Throne, Kevin O'Donnell, Heather Vallance, Bohola, Cathal Liam, James Swan, Claude Costecalde, Anne Hassett, John O'Brien, Patricia Falvey, Kathleen Flanagan, Sandra McCone, Ken Doyle, Arthur Cola and more!
iBAM! Features Music Concerts Saturday, October 31, celebrate All Hallows Eve with New York City Irish rock band Black 47 in concert at 7pm. Tickets are $20 ($15 for members of the IAHC) and can be purchased at the door or by calling the IAHC office at 773-282-7035 or visiting the IAHC website at www.irish-american.org.
Sunday evening, Maura O'Connell, Grammy-nominated, Irish born folk singer, will perform at 7pm, tickets are $20 ($15 for members of the IAHC) and can be purchased at the door, by calling the IAHC or visiting the IAHC website.
Special offer for iBAM! attendees: for every $50 in books or art purchased, attendees will receive a free ticket to one of the concerts of their choice, while supplies last! For more information or to purchase tickets to select performances, visit www.irish-american.org or www.ibamchicago.com.
The Irish American Heritage Center, which occupies an 86,000 square foot building on the City's northwest side, near Wilson Avenue and the Edens Expressway, at 4626 North Knox, fosters the practice, study and celebration of Irish, Celtic, and Irish-American cultural traditions. For more information, call 773-282-7035, or visit www.irish-american.org.
