Irish musician Cillian Vallely has lived in Sunnyside for more than 30 years. So even if he weren't performing again at this year's Queens Irish Heritage Festival — he is — he's certain that borough residents will enjoy stopping by on June 14.
“I think it's a very enjoyable event,†Vallely said in a recent interview. “There's a nice variety of styles. You'll see a very upbeat version of traditional Irish music, There will be other groups that are all vocals. You can turn up any time. Last year there was a great atmosphere.â€
The free indoor-outdoor event will run from 4 to 9 p.m. at CultureLab LIC at 5-25 46 Ave. in Long Island City; and, as Vallely said, you can drop by any time. Food trucks will be conducting sales adjacent to the performing areas.
“Once again we are delighted to convene a truly exemplary line-up of local artists for this year's fifth annual free music and dance concert,†said George Heslin, NYIC's executive director, in a press release. “Whether it rains or shines, CultureLab will be the place to celebrate the diversity of Queens, which rightfully is celebrated as the World's Borough.â€
Other performers will include folk-contemporary dance combo JiGGiG with former Riverdance principals Brandon Asazawa, Andy O'Reilly and Belle Brenton; sean-n—s singer Madelyn Monaghan with Caleb Adams; folk balladeer Allen Gogarty; folk legend Donie Carroll; singer-songwriter Niamh Hyland with Shu Sakae; the husband-and-wife folk duo Bob and Bronagh Batch, and the singers Mollie Downes; Gigi McCourt and Kevin McCormack.
Irish folk musicians performing are Dylan James, Eileen Goodman and Colin Harte, who is the series' curator.
Among the dance groups and music youth corps are McManus Irish Dance and Darrah Carr Dance.
“The McManus School of Dance is fantastic,†Vallely said of the group that performed with him last year.
The day also will include NYIC's second annual “Crossroads Concerts†series, blending Irish folk traditions with heritages from around the world, with master players from Eren Erdogan, Taulant Mehmeti, Nezih Antakli and Leen Abaza from Turkey to Amos Gabia, Moussa Drame and Vado Diomande from West Africa.
“Culture Lab LIC exists to bring people together through arts, culture, and community, making this partnership with the NY Irish Center a perfect fit,†said Edjo Wheeler, the institution's executive director. “Celebrating heritage in the world's borough is not just aligned with our mission, it's central to it.â€
Vallely plays the uilleann pipes, or Irish pipes, an instrument he first picked up when he was too young to remember. His parents founded a music school, the Armagh Pipers Club, in 1966 before he was born. In recent years, he has played and recorded with Bruce Springsteen, Natalie Merchant, Mary Chapin-Carpenter, Tim O'Brien and Riverdance, in addition to recording as a guest on over 50 albums. With his group, Lunasa, he has performed around the world.
“I've been lucky to get the call-ups from some very well-known people,†he said.
More information on the festival can be found at both newyorkirishcenter.org and culturelablic.org.
