2009 6th Annual Irish-American Crossroads Festival
March 7-15, 2009
This year the Irish-American Crossroads Festival chose the theme of memory as it honors its founder, Danny Cassidy, who died of cancer in October 2008. Danny was a teacher, scholar, activist, author, organizer, musician, filmmaker, mentor, and friend. He believed deeply in the art, craft and importance of oral history as a way of preserving the stories of our communities and families and as a means to preserving our Irish-American culture.
All Events were free to the public unless otherwise indicated.
SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2009 | OPENING DAY
Children’s Hour
Music, song, and dance featured by young dancers from the Murphy Irish Dance Company and traditional Irish music by fiddler John Caulfield!
SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2009
Musical Interlude
Irish tunes performed by the talented Tin Whistle Players from the Sacred Heart Nativity Schools of San Jose.
The Art and History of Storytelling at the Crossroads
Special thanks for support from the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.
On this day, we invited the public to join the Irish-American Crossroads Festival and its featured guests to explore the importance of engaging in oral history and community memoir.
Featured Guests:
Frances Browner, Editor, While Mem’ry Brings Us Back Again and Coming Home
Tony Bucher, Writer for The Irish Herald Newspaper
Joe McHugh, Audiographer and Oral Historian, Author of Ruff Tales, Better than Money and Kilowatt.
Moderated by Margaret McPeake
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2009
A Hooley for Danny Cassidy
An Irish Hooley is a traditional evening of music, dance and story. All were invited to join in a special event to share memories and celebrate the life and spirit of our beloved friend and colleague, Daniel Patrick Cassidy.
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2009
Martin Hayes in Solo Concert
Martin Hayes is regarded as one of the most extraordinary talents to emerge in the world of Irish traditional music. Audiences enjoyed this renowned fiddle player in a rare solo appearance.
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2009
Martin Hayes in Concert with Andrew MacNamara
Two County Clare musicians in concert: Martin Hayes on fiddle and Andrew MacNamara on accordion.
SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2009
Finding Our Truest Stories: A Memoir Workshop with Kathleen McClung
This three-hour workshop engaged participants with the art of memoir writing through discussion, readings, and writing exercises.
This workshop was facilitated by Kathleen McClung who teaches writing at Skyline College and the Writing Salon. Her memoir, fiction, and poetry have appeared in The Rambler, Spirituality & Health, Tiny Lights, Hawaii Pacific Review, Poetry Northwest, Albany Review, Hot Flashes and elsewhere, and her writing has won several awards including from the Soul-Making Literary Competition, Memoirs, Ink., Writers Digest, San Francisco Bay Guardian, the National Society of Arts & Letters, and the Academy of American Poets. A native of California, Kathleen is proud of her Scotch-Irish heritage.