Contact: Pam Kroll Simonson, (443)518-4568, hocopolitso@yahoo.com
Thirty-Sixth Annual Evening of Irish Music and Poetry Features Theo Dorgan
and
Paula Meehan, Recently Appointed Ireland Professor of Poetry
Howard County Poetry & Literature Society (HoCoPoLitSo) presents its thirty-sixth annual Evening of Irish Music and Poetry on Friday, March 14, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. at Smith Theatre on the campus of Howard Community College (HCC). The event features internationally lauded poets Paula Meehan and Theo Dorgan. Dorgan, who is also a lecturer and prose writer, is a frequent commentator on Irish literature and public affairs for PBS, RTE radio and TV in Ireland, and BBC radio. Meehan, who writes widely translated and anthologized poems and is a prolific playwright, was announced Ireland Professor of Poetry by Irish President Michael D. Higgins in September. “Meehan … is regarded as giving a voice to people and places that are often marginalised and forgotten … . Critics say her poetry is marked by its wit and beauty,” writes The Irish Times, “while those who appointed her said they hope she will be a refreshing and engaging choice and open up poetry to more readers in Ireland and abroad.”
In addition to readings by Meehan and Dorgan, HoCoPoLitSo’s Evening of Irish Music and Poetry will feature performances by musicians from The Narrowbacks and Celtic Thunder and championship stepdancers from the Culkin School of Traditional Irish Dance. Attendees can also enjoy raffles of Irish-themed gift baskets and a signed copy of a broadside from the late Seamus Heaney, drinks and refreshments, and book sales and signings by Meehan and Dorgan.
Smith Theatre is located in the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center at HCC in Columbia. Tickets to HoCoPoLitSo’s Irish Evening of Music and Poetry are $35 and can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/522437 or www.hocopolitso.org. For more information, call HoCoPoLitSo at (443)518-4568 or email hocopolitso@yahoo.com. Seniors in Columbia can request transportation by calling the Senior Events Shuttle at (410)715-3087. HCC is an accessible campus. Accommodation requests should be made to HoCoPoLitSo by March 7, 2014.
HoCoPoLitSo is a nonprofit organization designed to enlarge the audience for contemporary poetry and literature and celebrate culturally diverse literary heritages. Founded in 1974 by National Book Award finalist Ellen Conroy Kennedy, HoCoPoLitSo accomplishes its mission by sponsoring readings with critically acclaimed writers; literary workshops; programs for students; and The Writing Life, a writer-to-writer interview show seen on YouTube, HCC-TV, and other local stations. HoCoPoLitSo receives funding from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency funded by the state of Maryland and the National Endowment for the Arts; Howard County Arts Council through a grant from Howard County government; The Columbia Film Society; Community Foundation of Howard County; the Jim and Patty Rouse Charitable Foundation; and individual contributors.
Links:
HoCoPoLitSo 