The Deschutes Public Library and McMenamin’s Old St. Francis School have teamed up to present an evening of Irish music and stories with The Hanz Araki Band and author Brian Doyle. The Celtic festivities will take place on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at McMenamin’s Old St. Francis School at 7:00 p.m. in Father Luke’s Room.

Portland author, editor, essayist, and poet Brian Doyle has fathered ten books: five collections of essays; two nonfiction books (The Grail, about a year in an Oregon vineyard, and The Wet Engine, about the "muddles & music of the heart,"); two collections of "proems," most recently Thirsty for the Joy: Australian & American Voices; and the sprawling novel Mink River, released in October 2010 by Oregon State University Press.

Doyle’s books have four times been finalists for the Oregon Book Award, and his essays have appeared in The Atlantic Monthly, Harper’s, Orion, The American Scholar, and in newspapers and magazines around the world. His essays have also been reprinted in the annual Best American Essays, Best American Science & Nature Writing, and Best American Spiritual Writing anthologies. Among various honors for his work is a Catholic Book Award, and two Pushcart Prizes.

The Hanz Araki Celtic band is made up of guitarist Cary Novotny, flute player and vocalist Hanz Araki and violinist and vocalist Kathryn Claire. The band’s eclectic sound is influenced by Araki’s international touring experience—he has toured with the Juno award-winning The Paperboys, The Casey Neill Trio and the Birdies. Kathryn Claire contributes a sound of fiddle-playing wholly her own based in Eastern European folk music, Flamenco, swing and bluegrass. And Cary Novotny infuses traditional melodies with an undeniable contemporary groove that appeals to the taste of the modern audience, yet is based in the centuries old tradition of Irish music.

This event is free and open to the public. Minors are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. For questions about this or other library programs, or ADA concerns, please call Lisa McGean at 541/312-1034 or visit the library at www.deschuteslibrary.org.