The W.B. Yeats Society of N.Y. was
founded on the Irish Nobel Laureate's 125th birthday, June 13,
1990, and quickly became one of the largest, most active voluntary
organizations dedicated to one literary figure.
International activities include
a poetry competition and the M. L. Rosenthal award for contributions to Yeats
studies that are open to people from any part of the world.
People from many parts of North America attend its "Taste
of the Yeats Summer School in Ireland" every April in New
York, its "Poet Pass By!" (an evening of staged readings
and songs described as a "literary vaudeville") produced
every June in New York City, and such special events as the
John Butler Yeats Weekend held September 2001 it helped produce
in the upstate New York town where the poet's father is buried. (See photos).
Numerous lectures, book launches
and other weekday evening events are held throughout the year.
Many are held at the National Arts Club in New York, where the
society is headquartered and where the poet and his father spoke
or visited on many occasions. The society has members throughout
the U.S., and has given guidance to groups organizing Yeats
societies in other parts of the country.
Society annual membership is $25 ($15 students); or a package
registration of $35 which includes $18 in event admissions. Write
to the W.B. Yeats Society of NY, c/o National Arts Club, 15
Grammercy Park South, New York, NY 10003. (212) 780-0605)
