Big Apple Feis & Big Apple Rose of Tralee 2011

Fans of Irish music and dance should check out The Big Apple Feis this weekend at The Millennium Hotel in Times Square.

Friday, March 25 - Sunday, March 27
Big Apple Feis
A weekend-long festival of Irish dance & music competition and Irish cultural events.

at:
Millennium Broadway Hotel
& Hudson Theatre
145 W. 44th St. (between 6th & 7th Ave.)
New York, NY
millenniumhotelnyc.com
Details at: BigAppleFeis.com

As part of the weekend's festivities, there is also the NYC entry in the Rose of Tralee...
Friday, March 25 - Sunday, March 27
Big Apple Rose of Tralee
Selections of a Big Apple Rose, Escort, Junior Rose, and Rosebud will be held at the Big Apple Feis. The winning Rose and Escort will go on to represent New York at the Rose of Tralee Regional Selection in Ireland. The International Rose of Tralee and Escort will serve as worldwide ambassadors for Irish heritage and culture.

The Rose of Tralee programs encourage young women (Roses, Junior Roses, and Rosebuds) and young men (Escorts) to take pride in their Irish heritage and to get involved in service to their local Irish communities. Participants in all programs are required to have some Irish ancestry. Judging is based on communication skills, poise, personality, talent, well-roundedness in life, an essay (“Lass and Colleen”), and Irish pride. All titleholders will receive a tiara and prize package and will go on to represent the New York Irish community at local area events.


Friday March 25:
Opening Ceremonies
Rose Interviews - 6pm
Celebratory ceili - 7pm
featuring some of the great session and ceili musicians in the tri-state area. The céilí is open to the public: musicians and dancers of all levels are welcome.
Admission is $5 in advance through Smarttix or $10 at the door.
This will be held at the 8th floor conference center of The Millennium Hotel.

Saturday, March 26:
Rose Competition
Cocktail reception - 6pm
Includes open bar, dinner, and VIP seating to the 7:30pm program
Tickets: $100 and are available through Smarttix.
The reception will feature music by Joyce and Ruth O’Leary of Sephira and a performance of “Capone” by The Lynn Academy Troupe Dancers, featuring choreography by Maureen Collins.
Program-only tickets:
VIP Orchestra - $50
General Admission seating - $35.

The evening’s program will begin at 7:30pm and will feature the interview and talent portions of the competition. The Junior Roses and Rosebuds will make their debut during this event.

Sunday, March 27:
2011 Rose Selection Gala (formal attire)
Final interviews of the Roses will take place and the 2011 Big Apple NY Rose, Escort, Junior Rose, and Rosebud will be crowned.

Music by Sephira
A Play by George Heslin (Origin Production) First Irish Theater
The theme of the Gala is “The First of Firsts,” honoring the various “Firsts” in Irish culture in the U.S. This year’s honorees include Peter Smith, Anna O’Sullivan, Fedelmia Davis, and Joan & Cyril McNiff, the founding members of the IDTANA (Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America); Michael Flatley, the first U.S. male world champion Irish dancer and the producer of the first movie about Irish dance, Lord of the Dance in 3D; Dennis Dennehy, Mr. Flatley’s Irish dance teacher; Theresa O’Sullivan, the first U.S. World Champion Irish Dancer; Patsy McLoughlin, Ms. O’Sullivan’s Irish dance teacher; Mr. Paul F. Thiele, a lifetime supporter of Irish arts and culture; singers and violinists Joyce and Ruth O’Leary, the “Celtic Girls,” fresh off their tour with “Celtic Thunder”; and George C. Heslin, Founder and Artistic Director of The Origin Theatre Company, producer of the first festival of Irish theatre in New York.
There will be a “Meet and Greet” with some of the honorees during the evening. The program will feature entertainment by the evening’s honorees, including an original play by George C. Heslin of The Origin Theatre Company; a performance of “A Journey Through Time” by The Lynn Academy Troupe Dancers, choreographed by Maureen Collins; music by Joyce and Ruth O’Leary of Sephira; as well as a showcase of emerging Irish artists.

Purchase tickets via SmartTix.com or call (212) 868-4444.
more info at: bigappleroseoftralee.com

Program begins 7:30pm at Hudson Theatre:

Hudson Theatre
Millennium Broadway Hotel
145 W. 44th St. (between 6th & 7th Ave.)
New York, NY
MillenniumHotelNYC.com

For more information, contact:
Unateresa Gormley - Artistic Director
USG Performing Arts Presenters, LLC
(914) 715-9914 email: bigappleroseoftralee@yahoo.com
bigappleroseoftralee.com and bigapplefeis.com