Irish Massachusetts

The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge MA has a new exhibit titled,  Rose O'Neill: Artist & Suffragette , on display through September, 2020. The exhibit is timely since 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of American women formally given the right to vote, a cause to which O'Neill was devoted. Born in Wilkes Barre, PA, Rose O'Neill (1874-1944) and her family moved to Nebraska when she was young, and grew up in an artistic household where creative expression was encouraged and prized.  A self-taught illustrator, O'Neill moved to New York City at age 19 and soon her work was being published in leading magazines such as  Harper's, Cosmopolitan  and  Good Housekeeping,  as well as  Puck Magazine.  In 1909 O'Neill created the popular characters the Kewpies dolls, elf-like figures that were immediately popular with the general public.  The merchandising of Kewpie dolls made O'Neill a millionaire, according to the exhibition notes. ...

Popular Irish singer Grace Foley is performing a live Facebook concert for the Irish Cultural Centre of New England at 4 p.m. (EST) on Tuesday, July 7. A native of Killarney, County Kerry and c lassically trained since the age of 14, Grace has studied with some of Ireland’s   leading professionals, including the late Aine Nic Ghabhann, James Nelson of The Celtic Tenors and renowned Irish soprano Virginia Kerr.  She sings a range of Irish songs, contemporary melodies and classical classics. Learn more about the Irish Cultural Centre of New England , which has recently reopened its outdoor dining facilities.  For reservations,  contact 781-821-8281 or email kryder@irishculture.org 

Maestro Keith Lockhart Due to COVID-19, this year's Boston Pop s concert is a spectacular 3-hour broadcast: A Boston Pops Salute to Our Heroes.  It takes place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, and can be viewed on Bloomberg TV, at Bloomberg.com, and on Boston's Channel 7, WHDH. Leading the celebrations is Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart joined by Bloomberg's Kim Carrigan, Janet Wu, and Joe Shortsleeve. Find more information here . This year's show features previous musical performances from recent years including Andy Grammer, Leslie Odom Jr., Rhiannon Giddens, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Arlo Guthrie, and more. Rita Moreno and Amanda Gorman contribute moving narration and poetry accompanied by the masterful Boston Pops.  The show includes newly-created recorded virtual performance pieces by Boston Symphony and Boston Pops players as well as the Middlesex County Volunteer Fifes and Drums. Many friends of the Boston Pops also share special video mes...