New Memoir
“What if I were to tell you we are all gods?” This is how Tara, the narrator, invites readers into her illuminating story of self healing at a mother-daughter retreat in Arizona after a debilitating depression that triggers suicidal thoughts and sparks a spiritual awakening with the realization that George Lucas was right, the Force is real.
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REVIEWS:
Mother-daughter travel is a birthday tradition for singer-songwriter O'Grady, a Beacon resident, who frames this tale within one such trip to an Arizona spa in the wake of a deep depression. She side-treks into her dream life, an ongoing dialectic with the essence of Ernest Hemingway, and other trips with her Irish immigrant mom to take us with her on an often hilarious journey inward, back to bliss and conscious co-creation told with rock 'n' roll candor. O'Grady is impishly irreverent with a spot-on BS detector, making the revelations she experiences ring fresh and genuine.
Chronogram Magazine
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The author tells her story with humor and whimsy… the memoir delivers a captivating and candid look at how humans can learn to “become artisans, transforming pain into love.” An engaging, honest, and eccentric account of a spiritual journey.
Kirkus Reviews
Murder, madness, mayhem, and because it’s an Irish tale, the mother too. Tara takes a meditative journey of the heart in The Gods of Clown Alley.
Colin Broderick, author and filmmaker – Emerald City
The Gods of Clown Alley twists and turns through carousel realizations of what we carry and how we carry it, which shapes our path, our questions and our spirit, as it leads us inexplicably towards liberation. Tara O’Grady spins a tale of compassionate awakening to warm your heart.
Robert Waggoner, author and speaker – Lucid Dreaming: Gateway to the Inner Self
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WORKSHOPS
Butterfly Coach
& Travel Guide
Resorts World NYC
Prime
6:00-9:00pm
November 7
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Nov 23, 2024
Mohonk Mt
New Paltz, NY
9:00pm concert
Resorts World NYC
Christmas Tree Lighting
4:00-6:00pm
December 3
Resorts World NYC
Prime
6:00-9:00pm
December 5
1915 Wine Cellar
Poughkeepsie
8:00-10:00pm
January 11
Butterfield Library
Cold Spring
The Dream Song
w/ pianist Daniel Kelly
6:30pm
January 15
Studios of Key West
Florida
The Art of Dreaming
Jan 29 @ 10am
Song of the Soul
Jan 30 @ 10am
register for workshops on
their website
Tara is not only a performing artist, she is also a mindful mentoring coach and intuitive educator who teaches folks how to awaken their creativity and find their soul's purpose. Join Tara on one of her European Tours where she teaches mindfulness using art, nature, and dreamwork.
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Each Tuesday, this self proclaimed Bliss Ambassador posts articles on her new site www.butterflycoach.org where she inspires people to spread their wings. As Butterfly Coach, she teaches one-day workshops and leads week-long wellness retreats. If you are ready to be transformed, explore more with Tara by clicking the butterfly.
Ireland is a land of legendary storytellers, world class musicians, and exceptional chefs who can transform locally grown ingredients into works of art.
Join singer-songwriter and author Tara O'Grady on this small group tour of the southwest where she will introduce your senses to the best the Emerald Isle has to offer.
Experience luxury castle accommodations in Kildare, take a sound bath to recover from jet lag and restore balance, cook with celebrity TV chef Catherine Fulvio in her own kitchen during an overnight stay at her famous farmhouse estate in Wicklow, explore the breathtaking beauty of the Wicklow Mountains, immerse yourself in music with a local musician who inspires creativity, wander through one of the largest gardens in the world at a 1760 historic estate in Waterford, hear the stories of emigrants and Titanic passengers who departed Cork for America, take a foodie walking tour of the thriving fishing port of Kinsale, and discover your inner musician with a private session in the recording studio in Dublin where U2, Sinead O'Connor, and Van Morrison recorded.
Prepare to be lifted and landed, wined, and dined!
Konk Life - Key West
Tara O'Grady was a resident of Key West where Ernest Hemingway used to live and write. In 2019 she was sponsored by The Studios of Key West to write songs in paradise. The organization nurtures creative exploration and collaboration supporting the advancement of artists of all disciplines. Tara is often inspired by the places she visits, evident from her songs about Belfast and New Orleans. She completed a full new album of songs about mocking birds, sunsets and key lime pie. Read her article featured in KONK LIFE.
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The Magic of Budapest
Photo: Richard J. Velasco
Tara O'Grady returned to the city where she studied during her university days to present a rare signed bible from 1893 belonging to one of Hungary's most famous sons - Ehrich Weiss - aka Harry Houdini. A press conference was held at The House of Houdini. Irish Ambassador Pat Kelly joined Tara along with Museum Founder and Hungarian escape artist David Merlini, as well as the Hungarian Prime Minister’s cultural advisor and poet Géza SzÅ‘cs who said "Books have their own destiny, and Tara was destined to bring this bible to Budapest."
Later that evening a concert was held at Becketts hosted by the Irish Hungarian Business Circle. Tara was joined by Hungarian jazz musicians, including Attila Korb on trumpet and trombone, Istvan Toth on guitar and Zoltan Olah on bass. It was a magical day indeed!
​The story of Tara bringing the bible to Budapest reached newspapers across the globe, from Mexico to South Africa, Malaysia, Singapore, Ireland, France and even Qatar. Read Tara's article "The Magic of Dreams" which was published in Irish America Magazine, and more about Harry Houdini on the blog Wild About Harry.
IRISH TV: The Sunnyside Sessions
Tara's band appeared in a new music series launched on IRISH TV and Sky 191 with host Cathy Maguire in Ireland and online at www.irishtv.ie.
Filmed in the New York neighborhood of Sunnyside, Queens, the show features Irish musicians living and performing in the Big Apple.
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The launch party was held at the Irish Embassy in Manhattan where Tara was interviewed on the red carpet by RTE's Colm Flynn who also directed the series. She performed her swinging rendition of "I'll Tell Me Ma" with Cherish the Ladies while Joanie Madden dazzled the audience on an impromptu jazz flute solo.
Judy Carmichael's Jazz Inspired
SiriusXM NPR
What inspires you? How do you create? World-renowned jazz pianist Judy Carmichael explores these questions with her guests every week on her public radio show Judy Carmichael’s Jazz Inspired. Celebrated artists discuss their creative process and how their passion for jazz has inspired their work. They share their favorite recordings with the listener as well as insight into their life and art. Listen to her chat with Tara O'Grady.
