As I made my way toward the US-Ireland Alliance’s outdoor reception for their inaugural Oscar Wilde: Honoring Irish Writing in Film event at The Ebell in Los Angeles, I heard the familiar strains of U2’s ‘New York’ from All that You Can’t Leave Behind.
This song about the famous American city where I was born, raised, and lived for many years offered the kind of majesty for which U2 is renowned, and it was fitting for a pre-Oscar event that included among the guests such luminaries of Irish and American cinema as Neil Jordan, Jim Sheridan, David Holmes, Jodie Foster, and Anjelica Huston. Having said that, is it possible to have an Irish event of any kind, in any city in the world, without U2?
In the art salon, a cavernous though otherwise nondescript room, revelers drank “Oscar Wilde” martinis so strong they should have come with operating instructions, while admiring the haunting artwork of Charlie Whisker.
After the silent auction concluded, everyone was ushered into a stunningly romantic, ornate, dimly-lit presentation room.
Indelible images from movies produced in Ireland including The Commitments, Braveheart, and My Left Foot flickered on a large video screen as U2’s ‘Beautiful Day’ played over the PA system.
There was a genuine buzz in the room as Sheridan, Jordan, and other Irish and American entertainment industry VIPs filed into the first two rows, while the paparazzi snapped away, flashbulbs flickering like so many fireflies.
David Holmes, the world famous DJ and music producer who has scored numerous films including Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Eleven and Ocean’s Twelve was the first to be honored. Actor Adrian Dunbar presented Holmes, dressed very casually in a blue shirt, white pants, and sneakers, with his award, and Holmes kept his acceptance speech brief.
Next, Jodie Foster, who looked very business-like in a black suit dress, entertained the audience with stories of her family’s misguided attempts at being authentically Irish during her childhood. One particularly funny story involved her mother ordering green cake for St. Patrick’s Day. After a montage of Neil Jordan’s films was shown, Foster presented Jordan, also casually dressed in a suede jacket and pants, with his award, which he accepted with another short speech.
Last, Anjelica Huston introduced Jim Sheridan. Her tone was reverentia. Accepting the award, he looked quite the distinguished gentleman, dressed in a dark suit, white shirt, and tie. He was also very funny. At one point he talked about how Neil Jordan inspired him to make films in the first place, “I was like an American – I was going Jesus, I can do that too!”
After the presentation we all shifted into the lounge. Before arriving, my assumption was that this event would be stuffy, and I might feel uncomfortable, but despite the A-list celebrities in attendance and the opulent surroundings, the atmosphere remained very relaxed.
There were men in suits and women in fancy cocktail dresses (myself included) – but most folks were dressed simply, and some even wore jeans. While this probably had something to do with the laid-back nature of Los Angeles, I think it spoke more to the down-to-earth character of the Irish.
As the crowd chowed down on the scrumptious three-cheese cod and poached salmon, and imbibed all manner of beer, wine, and spirits, singer/actor Morgan Crowley took the stage alone and sang with a backing track.
While it’s challenging for any artist to perform at a party, what with all the distractions of the food, drink, and conversation, it’s that much more difficult for a solo artist performing without the benefit of live music.
Later SJ McArdle played straight ahead singer-songwriter fare with passion and Darren Holden, who is currently performing the lead role in the US touring production of the Billy Joel/ Twyla Tharp musical Movin’ Out, performed a rousing version of Joel’s ‘It’s Still Rock And Roll To Me.’ The crowd responded more favorably to McArdle and Holden, but it was hard for any of the artists to get through.
After the Joel cover I decided to do a bit of mingling. I saw a handsome and dapper looking Cillian Murphy chatting with friends. I also spotted Neil Jordan talking to Jodie Foster and Best Actor Academy Award-nominee Terrence Howard. Howard, looking every bit the part of his pimp character in the film Hustle and Flow, was wearing a white jacket and pants and a black Kangol cap.
Paddy Casey was the next performer, and the first to fully grab the attentiuon of the crowd. As his set developed, the area in front of the stage started to fill up. Paddy mentioned that he had a crush on Daryl Hannah ever since Splash and he informed her that she could find him “over at the Park Hotel if you’re interested.”
For the finale, Casey performed an inspired cover of ‘No Diggity’ by the American R&B group Blackstreet.
The final band of the evening was Orca, a very interesting trippy electronic/jazz band lead by Neil Jordan’s daughter Anna. Her soft, sweet voice fit nicely with the group’s ethereal grooves. By this time the party had thinned out considerably, but Neil Jordan remained. He stood nearby me watching Orca – and on an evening where he was feted by a veritable revolving door of well wishers, his pride for his daughter’s accomplishments was apparent.