With the centennial celebration of the “Easter Rising,” a landmark event marking Ireland’s independence, soon to take place with celebrations around the world, Atlanta isn’t going to be left out of a series of Irish-related events.
Celebrations officially begin with the 1916 Centenary Concert to be held at the Georgia Institute of Technology on this Sunday afternoon, March 6, with performances of music, dance, drama and poetry.
The well-known Willis Clan, favorites of the Grande Ole Opry, and Grammy-nominated John Doyle are to perform at 4 p.m. at the Ferst Center for the Arts, 349 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, with a cost of $10 for adults and no cost for children and students under 18.
The Hibernian Benevolent Society of Atlanta is to hold its annual Black Tie Ball on Saturday, March 5, at the Druid Hills Golf Club, getting a slight jump on the centennial celebrations. The society dates back to 1858 when it was founded by a group of Atlanta merchants and now has approximately 130 members.
This year’s Black Tie Ball is to mark the formal launch of the Irish Network Atlanta, which will join 22 other chapters devoted to providing a national business and cultural network. Consul General Shane Stephens and Steve Lenox, the president the Irish Network USA, are to attend.
The Irish Chamber of Atlanta is to hold its annual breakfast on the morning of March 11 at the Capital City Club downtown.
The Atlanta St Patrick’s Day Parade, the city’s longest running event which was first held in 1858, will commence at noon on March 12. This year’s parade program includes a road race and the Budweiser Clydesdales are to join in the celebrations.
In the evening of March 12, “We Have Risen”, the Gateway Performance Productions, the Helene S. Mills Senior Multipurpose Facility and the Dekalb School of the Arts are to perform a program underscoring the impact of the Easter Rising on the African American experience. The performance is to be begin is to at 6 p.m. at the Masonic Center Auditorium, 1690 Peachtree St. NW.
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