Join us as Kansas City’s Irish celebrate the heritage and support the Irish Center.
Irish Museum and Cultural Center Annual Irish Gala
6 pm, Friday, March 5, 2010, The Muehlebach Towers, Kansas City
Support the Irish Museum and Cultural Center by sponsoring, hosting a table or purchasing individual tickets (also see below). For more information click here.Call Rachel Casey at 816-474-3848, info@irishmuseum.org with questions. Or contact Gala chair Chris Tschirhart at 816-918-5347, ctschirhart@tcco.com, or IMCC executive director Rachel Casey at info@irishmuseum.org, 816-474-3848 or 816-682-2356. Our many apologies, but we’re having trouble with our phone lines and are tryng to get them working correctly.
World-renowned Irish fiddler Eileen Ivers headlines
Dan Ryan Hesse, CEO of Sprint Nextel, receives 2010 J. Sullivan Jr. Foundation Humanitarian Award
In addition to his Sprint corporate responsibilities, Notre Dame alum Hesse serves as National Governor of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, on the board of the American Red Cross of Greater Kansas City and on numerous other boards.
In the past year, Hesse and his wife Diane have been honorary chairs of the Non-Profit Connect Philanthropy Awards Luncheon, honorary co-chairs of the UMKC Entrepreneur of the Year Award Dinner, Honorary Patrons of Catholic Charities’ Snow Ball, and honorary co-chairs of the MOCSA Community Luncheon. They give their time and money to the United Way as 20-year members of the Tocqueville Society and they support numerous other charitable causes. Also, Newsweek recognized Sprint as #15 in their list of America’s Greenest Companies.
Hesse’s Irish roots go back to his mother’s Ryan side of the family to County Cork.
Featuring Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul
The daughter of Irish immigrants, Eileen Ivers grew up in the culturally diverse neighborhood of the Bronx, New York. With roots in Irish traditional music, Ivers has won nine All-Ireland fiddle championships. Now she is considered one of the great innovators in Celtic and World music. With her band Immigrant Soul, Ivers mixes African and Latin percussion and bass, Irish instrumentals and American soul vocals. Ivers was the original musical star of Riverdance and has performed with Sting, The Chieftains, Hall and Oates, Afrocelts, Patti Smith, London Symphony Orchestra, The Boston Pops and many more.
Larry Moore is the MC for the evening, Kansas City’s premiere Irish dance academy O’Riada Irish Dancers will perform, and a live and silent auction features Irish-related items, including a live golden lab puppy named Molly. Bid now on auction items by going to left column.
The general public is welcome to attend the Gala. Call 816-474-3848 (back up 816-682-2356).
Support levels include:
_____ $24,999 – $10,000 Emerald Sponsor, listed in Gala program, IMCC website, includes a table for 10 guests, program recognition, valet parking
_____ $9,999 – $5,000 Gold Sponsor, listed in Gala program, IMCC website, includes a table for 10 guests, program recognition, valet parking
_____ $4,999 – $2,500 Corporate Sponsor, listed in Gala program, IMCC website, includes a table for 10 guests, program recognition, valet parking
_____ $1,500 Table Sponsor, includes a table for 10 guests
_____ $150 Individual Patron
The annual Irish Gala is a highlight of the Irish Season and supports year-round operations of the Irish Museum and Cultural Center in Union Station. The Irish Center is open five days a week year-round and has a mission to promote and support Irish cultural and heritage education, preservation and celebration.
