The Center for Celtic Studies at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee hosted this year's regional meeting of the American Conference of Irish Studies (ACIS). A plethora of poets, performers and presenters gathered on the UWM campus in mid-October for three lively days of panels, roundtables, screenings and performances. Approximately 50 papers were presented during the course of … [Read more...] about Irish Studies Conference
Issues
The Apple of Molly’s Eye
Molly Shannon, husband Fritz Chestnut, and one-year-old daughter Stella pose at the Big Apple Fest exhibit ar the Orchard Gallery in New York City in October. The first annual Fest planted 300 fiberglass apples around the city. After two months on the streets, the apples, painted by artists from around the world, were sold at auction with proceeds benefiting the Police Athletic … [Read more...] about The Apple of Molly’s Eye
Farewell, Ms. Bluebell
Dance-world icon Margaret Kelly passed away on September 11 at the age of 94. Kelly was best known for her dance troupe, The Bluebell Girls, which originated in Paris in 1932, and went on to gain notoriety for its tall, beautiful dancers who enchanted cabaret audiences throughout the world with their risqué cancan routines and elaborate costumes. Kelly's life story is one of … [Read more...] about Farewell, Ms. Bluebell
Irish Eye on Hollywood
It seemed like it was St. Patrick's Day in November -- at least when it came to Hollywood. Three of Ireland's biggest stars appeared in blockbuster movies as tinseltown prepared to head into the holiday season. Meanwhile, a new crop of Irish cinematic talent is poised to make 2005 another busy year for the Irish in Hollywood. First up in recent weeks, Colin Farrell's much … [Read more...] about Irish Eye on Hollywood
The Future of the Ambassador Hotel
The battle over what to do with the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles may finally be coming to a close. Once a mecca for movie stars, European royalty and American presidents, the hotel, built on 23 acres on Wilshire Blvd., closed its doors in 1988. Its days of Hollywood glamour had been eclipsed by the 1968 assassination of Robert F. Kennedy. Kennedy was shot while making his … [Read more...] about The Future of the Ambassador Hotel