Dedicated to all things emerald, the fourth annual Irish Books Art and Music celebration—aka IBAM—packs a heavy schedule of panels, performances, readings, screenings, and even live mural painting into a single weekend hosted by the Irish American Heritage Center.
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The festivities begin with a sneak preview of an exhibit on James Joyce imported from the National Library of Ireland. Actor Stephen Rea (The Crying Game) lends glamour to the event, reading from Joyce’s Ulysses (Thu 10/11, 7:30 PM, $20, $15 in advance). More Joyceana: Court Theatre performs excerpts from its next production, which happens to be a musical based on Joyce’s “The Dead” (Sat 10/13, 5 PM), and a gaggle of performers present Rattlin’ of the Joists, comprising “readings, poems, and songs of” you know who (Sun 10/14, 1 PM).
Belfast peace muralists Martin Lyons and Mark Ervine can be seen in action, creating a work in the IAHC art gallery (Sat-Sun noon-6 PM). They also take a little time off to talk about their lives as artists in Ireland (Sat 3:30 PM).
10/11-10/14: Thu 7:30 PM (exhibit preview), Fri 8 PM (Phil Coulter concert), Sat-Sun 11 AM-7 PM plus “after hours” music, Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox, 773-282-7035, ibamchicago.com, $5-$15 daily admission.
