Red Lamp, Black Piano – Cáca Milis Cabaret Anthology Launch

My great friend Helena Mulkerns, compere of the Cáca Milis Cabaret in Wexford for five years now, is launching the companion anthology in Dublin and Wexford next week. I’ll be reading at the Irish Writers Centre for the launch next Wednesday if you fancy coming along and having a read of the Anthology there. More information below the line 🙂

The Cáca Milis Cabaret Anthology
WITH: Annie Bell-Davies, Anthony Jones, Billy Roche, Chris Ozzard, Claire Scott, Dave Lordan, Dermot Bolger, Dominic Williams, Drucilla Wall, Eamonn Wall, Emer Martin, Eoin Colfer, Erin Fornoff, Helena Mulkerns, Jackie Hayden, Jim Maguire, Kate Dempsey, Kevin Connelly, Maeve O’Sullivan, Margaret Breen, Margaret Hawkins, Niall Wall, Oran Ryan, Patrick Chapman, Peter Murphy, Patrick Kehoe, Paul Harris, Paul O’Reilly, Paul Tylak, Philip Casey, Ross Hattaway, Sarah Maria Griffin, Simone Mansell-Broome, Stephen James Smith, Susan Lanigan, Suzanne Power, Tom Mooney, Waylon Gary White Deer, Westley Barnes
Introduction by Patrick McCabe

The Cáca Milis Cabaret (www.cacamilis.org) has been running as a “vaudevillian evening of the Arts” at the Wexford Arts Centre and further afield since 2009. Adapting the old Music Hall format to present original work from contemporary musicians, poets, writers, film makers, comedians, dancers and more, it has thrived – presenting around 400 artists thus far. In 2014, it will have a bi-monthly Dublin residency in “Upstairs@Arthurs.”

To mark its five-year anniversary, Helena Mulkerns, its founder and MC, has edited an anthology that presents work by a selection of the writers and poets who have participated in the Cáca Milis Cabaret down the years.

The book’s spirited and irreverent introduction by writer Patrick McCabe captures the impromptu spirit of the Cabaret itself and sets the scene for a dazzling gamut of writing. From short fiction to poetry, humour, satire and sci-fi musings, the book makes an eclectic and entertaining read. The broad range of contributors adds to its attraction, featuring local and international, emerging and established authors (see list above).

Publisher Tara Press (www.tarapress.net), a new independent imprint, operates unreservedly on the basis of the “electronic publishing revolution.” It promises quality, eclectic writing – both re-publishing works by writers that are now out-of-print, and making available select original works. Red Lamp Black Piano will be available in paperback, Kindle and e-book versions via Amazon and other international online outlets, with traditional distribution via local independent bookshops and arts events. The book seeks to promote the Cabaret and the work of its artists, and to fundraise for the upkeep and development of the venture. A portion of the proceeds from sales at the Wexford launch will also go to a South-East-based suicide prevention group, Wexford MarineWatch.

Red Lamp Black Piano will be launched in Dublin by author and dramatist Dermot Bolger on 4 December at The Irish Writers’ Centre, with the event kicking off at 7pm.

In Wexford, the book is launched at The Wexford Arts Centre by Enniscorthy writer Peter Murphy at 6pm on Friday, 6 December. Review copies are currently available and for more info, phone: 086-20-20-289 or contact Lisa or Helena at: