The Irish Arts Center (IAC), in New York City, has just announced their jam packed 15-week fall schedule, running from 6th September to 17th December.
 
The US premiere of one of the most lauded plays in recent Irish theatre, a tribute to Bram Stoker on the centenary of his death, a series of talks exploring the links between Irish and African Americans, and the New York City debut of Irish singer Wallis Bird are among the highlights of the Irish Arts Center's fall season.
 
Committed to exploring what it means to be Irish in 2012, the IAC, from its home in Hell's Kitchen (553 West 51st St) presents contemporary and traditional performances in theatre, music, dance and more as well as exhibitions from Ireland and America, and holds all levels of classes in language, dance and music.
 
The 2012 Fall season includes:
 
Theatre:

A return visit from award-winning Irish theatre company Fishamble (last seen at IAC with Forgotten in 2010) with their Edinburgh Fringe Award winner Silent. Written and performed by Pat Kinevane, Silent is the touching and challenging story of homeless McGoldrig, who once had splendid things.
 
Music:

Music is always one of the highlights at Irish Arts Center and after the recent success of Julie Feeney in the Spring Season the IAC is delighted to welcome the New York debut of Wallis BIRD as part of the SongLives series curated by Susan McKeown which also features Mundy, Anthony Mulcahy and Niall Connolly; top Irish composer Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin performs for two nights only; there's the return of the much-loved annual concert “An Irish Christmas” which this year also travels to Fordham University for a live broadcast and a showcase of “Music from Ireland” to coincide with CMJ Music Marathon featuring six of the best up-and-coming Irish bands.
 
Humanities:

A series of three open dialogues examining the fusion between Irish America and Africa America, led by Lenwood O. Sloan and Dr. Mick Moloney.
 
Literature:

As well as the 4th annual PoetryFest, in association with the Poetry Society of America featuring a special trinute to John Montague, there will be readings by Irish writers Christine Dwyer Hickey, William Kennedy, Molly McCloskey and Yvonne Cassidy.
 
Visual Arts:

A three-month long free exhibition by Wexford-based artist Colette Murphy whose paintings of chaotic seas and floating icebergs explore the journeys made by Irish emigrants to America.
 
Dance:

2011 Bessie award nominees Darrah Carr and Sean Curran present their unique blend of contemporary modern dance and traditional Irish step.
 
Rounding out the season will be a film season which includes an Irish language Halloween Extravaganza honoring the centenary of Bram Stoker's death, a monthly comedy series featuring stars from Comedy Central, over 30 classes in Irish language, music and dance for adults and an extensive children's program.
 
Booking for all of the above opens on Thursday August 2nd. More information available at www.irishartscenter.org.