Arlington, co-produced with Landmark Productions, opened at St.Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn last Sunday to a fantastic reception. Guests in attendance at the opening performances included author John Grisham, actors Nick Sandow from Orange is the New Black, Paul Reid and Lisa Dwan; Irish artist John Gerrard who exhibits during the Festival and whose new solo show opened at the Simon Preston Gallery in New York; pianist John O’Conor who flew to New York to support his son Hugh in Arlington; poet Paul Muldoon and Consul General of Ireland Barbara Jones as well as many of New York’s artistic community including Joe Mellilo from the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and composers Mikel Rouse and Philip Glass, Arlington runs in New York until May 28.
Following hot on the heels of the Arlington opening, and in collaboration with the Irish Arts Center in New York, Enda Walsh’s Rooms, a Galway International Arts Festival Production, opened on Monday night at Cybert Tire, the future hom of the new IAC, and will also run until May 28.
Earlier in the week, the Festival team were guests of the Irish Consul General, Barbara Jones, where they presented the first ever US First Thought Talk at the Irish Consulate in New York. Adventurer and solo transatlantic rower Gavan Hennigan was in conversation with award-winning author and journalist, Belinda McKeon, during an inspiring and engaging talk which was attended by President of NUI Galway, Dr. James Browne, the cast of Arlington, Irish artist John Gerrard as well as tourism Ireland representatives, Alison Metcalfe and Ruth Moran.
Speaking at the reception in the Irish Consulate, New York, CEO John Crumlish commented: ‘We’re 40 this year and as part of our birthday celebrations we’re presenting our biggest program to date with over 200 events in 29 venues in 14 days. Galway is the ship in which we all sail in and which we’re very proud to represent here today.’
Speaking about presenting Enda Walsh’s work in New York, Artistic Director Paul Fahy stated: ‘Collaborations have been at the heart of the Festival since we became a production-led Festivala number of years ago. It’s so exciting to be in this great city celebrating Enda Walsh in New York with our wonderful co-producers Landmark Productions and Anne Clarke on Arlington at St.Ann’s Warehouse, and with the Irish Arts Center on Rooms.’
