Book Release:
Migrating toward Happiness
“Migrating toward Happiness reads like a song, an intimate melody, made vibrant by the rhythm of motion and the shifting accents of the immigrant voice. This story is at once familiar and extraordinary – it could be anyone’s family, any American journey – but the storytelling is so poignant, so lively and enchanting, that the tale is utterly seductive. Tara O’Grady sings from the page in this charming debut, and her readers will be keen for an encore.”
–Jeanine Cummins, American Dirt
Konnichiwa Chiquaqua
June 22, 2021
New Online Show!
12
MAR
Howlin' at the Howland
Episode 1 : Seasons of Love
Episode 2 : The Fabric of Our Lives
June 22, 2021 livestream 8pm or
on-demand June 23-July 7
TARA O'GRADY HOWLIN' AT THE HOWLAND is a new show
featuring Tara's cinematic collaborations with
Jon Slackman of Five Corner Films, and a jazz performance with guitarist Tony DePaolo.
Episode One - SEASONS OF LOVE - focuses visually and musically on the first four seasons the artist has experienced living in the Hudson Valley - summer, autumn, winter and now spring. Premieres Thursday, March 11th at 8pm EST. Filmed in the historic Howland Cultural Center in Beacon, New York.
Episode 2 is premiering online through the Howland Cultural Center in Beacon, NY. Beacon singer-songwriter Tara O'Grady will be performing original songs with Sasha Papernik and Justin Poindexter of Our Band, as well as interviewing vintage clothing designer and sewing starlet Gretchen "Gertie" Hirsch of Charm Patterns. There will be classic cars! There will be Elvis records! There will be a chihuahua named Hattie! Filmed by Jon Slackman of Five Corner Films, "The Fabric of Our Lives" is available for live-stream June 22 at 8pm. Otherwise you can watch at your leisure on demand from June 23-July 7. These are two separate ticket options. If you order the June 22 live-stream, you will not be able to watch the show on another date or time. Choose wisely.
tix $15
Quarantine Tunes
Tara O'Grady and her band became unemployed when the pandemic hit NYC in March, 2020. She contracted Covid-19 and was sick for five weeks. Unable to perform live in venues, she welcomes donations in her online tip jar. Please consider supporting arts and music relief funds organized across the country. Musicians are the heartbeat of America. They are currently struggling and need your assistance.
Konk Life - Key West
Tara O'Grady was a resident of Key West where Ernest Hemingway used to live and write. From April 16-May 14, 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.
The Magic of Budapest
Photo: Richard J. Velasco
On December 3, 2016 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 Szőcs 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.
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.
