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MILWAUKEE IRISH FEST AND WARD IRISH MUSIC ARCHIVES TO HOST “GENE KELLY & SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN” CELEBRATION Evening Honoring Irish-American Entertainer to be Emceed by Chicago Tribune Film Critic
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (September 20, 2012) – The Ward Irish Music Archives and Milwaukee Irish Fest will commemorate the life of Gene Kelly, the Irish-American dancer, actor, singer, director, producer and choreographer, best known for his performances in “Singin’ in the Rain” and “An American in Paris” with a signature event emceed by Chicago Tribune film critic, Michael J. Phillips. Kelly would have turned 100 this year while “Singin’ in the Rain” celebrates its 60th anniversary. The event takes place on Saturday, October 20 at 6:00 p.m. at Cudahy Hall on the Marquette University campus, 1313 West Wisconsin Avenue. The evening will include a reception, a panel discussion on America’s greatest song and dance man and viewing of “Singin’ in the Rain.”
“This will be a compelling event for musicians, historians, students, film buffs and all those with a passion for Irish and Irish American entertainment,” said Jeff Ksiazek, archivist at the Milwaukee-based Ward Irish Music Archives, home to the largest public collection of Irish and Irish-American music in America.
A descendant of Irish immigrants, Gene Kelly was born Eugene Curran Kelly on August 23, 1912. Kelly was known for his energetic and athletic dancing style, his good looks and the likeable characters that he played on screen. He was a dominant force in Hollywood musical films from the mid 1940s until this art form fell out of fashion in the late 1950s. His many innovations transformed Hollywood musical film, and he is credited with almost single-handedly making the ballet form commercially acceptable to film audiences. Kelly was the recipient of an Academy Honorary Award in 1952 for his career achievements. He later received lifetime achievement awards in the Kennedy Center Honors, and from the Screen Actors Guild and American Film Institute; in 1999, the American Film Institute also numbered him 15th in their Greatest Male Stars of All Time list. (more) IRISH FEST GENE KELLY CENTENNIAL – ADD ONE
Kelly’s career will be commemorated with films, stories and interesting facts. The evening will begin with a reception and followed by a panel discussion featuring Chicago Tribune film critic, Michael J. Phillips and John Gleeson, senior lecturer and co-director of the Center for Celtic Studies at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Finally, guests will be treated to a viewing of “Singin’ in the Rain,” which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.
The “Gene Kelly & Singin’ in the Rain” celebration is part of a three day conference called “The Session” on Irish and Irish-American entertainment hosted by the Ward Irish Music Archives and Milwaukee Irish Fest. Tickets to the Gene Kelly event are $25 and can be purchased by calling Milwaukee Irish Fest at 414-476-3378 or by visiting http://store.irishfest.com. To learn more about The Session Conference, visit http://irishfest.com/Music-Archives.htm.
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About Ward Irish Music Archives Milwaukee-based Ward Irish Music Archives is home to the largest public collection of Irish and Irish-American music in America. Past events hosted by the Archives include a bi-annual American Sheet Music Conference, a Bing Crosby Centennial Celebration and an Association for Recorded Sound Collections national conference.
About Milwaukee Irish Fest Milwaukee Irish Fest is North America’s largest celebration of Irish music and culture. The four- day festival showcases more than 100 entertainment acts on 16-stages at Henry W. Maier Festival Park on Milwaukee’s lakefront. The annual festival occurs every third weekend in August. The 2013 festival takes place August 15 to 18.
More than just a festival, the Milwaukee Irish Fest organization is passionately committed to igniting a love of Irish culture in all people. With the help of more than 4,000 volunteers, Milwaukee Irish Fest teaches Ireland’s music, dance, drama, sports, culture, children’s activities and genealogy through year-round programming. For more information, visit www.irishfest.com.