For more than a year, my friend Lori Cassels has been working to establish a West Coast chapter of the Irish American Writers and Artists hosting events at Clarion Performing Arts Center and since last July, Sláinte Oakland. 
According to family lore, the Crooks ancestors include four Scotch-Irish brothers who came to America sometime during the 17th century. That bloodline has been diluted and thickened in equal measure since then;  I have no  idea how that all adds up today. Nonetheless, IAWA is  “proudly non-sectarian, non-partisan and welcomes members of all backgrounds,” so and Irish blood flow intact or no,  I’ll be joining the IAWA salon again this evening, playing a couple new solo and Bay Station compositions amid a vibrant lineup of musician/writer/poets: Sean Lightholder, Amelia Hogan, Lori Cassels and Karl McHugh. 
Come down! It’s free, Slainte is the best kind of friendly, welcoming pub. Event starts at 7pm and  IAWA’s mission definitely fits my current mood:
“In the long tradition of Irish resistance to oppression and struggle for liberty, IAW&A supports free speech, the rights of immigrants, the equality and dignity of all—regardless of race, gender, religion or sexual orientation – and the process of peaceful, positive social change in the U.S., Ireland and around the world.  While avoiding party affiliation and endorsing no candidates for public office, IAW&A is outspoken in defense of artistic freedom, human rights and social justice.”