Join us for music, toasts, and "When All Is Said Stout."

This year we celebrate A Novel Idea at Wild Ride Brewing in Redmond. Our friends at Wild Ride have been busy brewing a special When All Is Said Stout. The special brew will be available for purchase. Not only can you try the special Novel Idea beer during the event but expect some foot stomping music by Five Pint Mary. In addition, just like Maurice Hannigan from "When All Is Said," by Anne Griffin, you'll have the opportunity to craft and deliver 3-4 sentence toasts to the people in your life that you'd like to honor. Local writers will be on hand to help you get your toast just right.

About the band:
Since 2009 Five Pint Mary, has been playing a unique blend of original and traditional Irish/Celtic folk-rock. Based in Bend this multi-generational group of seasoned musicians dish out a well-honed brew of spirited music, both traditional and original. With tightly woven 4-5 part harmony vocals, the band creates a sound that is infectious, rollicking, and fun. Bordering on the boisterous, their sound hearkens back to the old-world pubs of Europe. Influenced by the traditional music of Ireland and Scotland, a bit of the Eastern Block, and infused with a ripple of American Bluegrass, Five Pint Mary delivers a fresh and lively world sound. Band members include Michael Holmes (guitar/accordion/vocals), Sarah Pollock-Holmes (vocals/guitar/Irish tin-whistles), Rick Havern (banjo/bazouki/vocals), Matt Gwinup (mandolin/cajon /vocals), Evan Holmes (violin),and Tyler Cranor (bass/vocals).

About the book:
At the bar of a grand hotel in a small Irish town sits 84-year-old Maurice Hannigan. He's alone, as usual - though tonight is anything but usual. Pull up a stool and charge your glass, because Maurice is finally ready to tell his story. Over the course of this evening, he will raise five toasts to the five people who have meant the most to him. Through these stories - of unspoken joy and regret, a secret tragedy kept hidden, a fierce love that never found its voice - the life of one man will be powerful and poignantly laid bare. Beautifully heart - warming and powerfully felt, the voice of Maurice Hannigan will stay with you long after all is said and done.

About the Author:
Anne Griffin was born in Dublin and now lives in the heart of Ireland's midlands. An acclaimed short story writer, she is the recipient of the John McGahern award for emerging writers. She was shortlisted for the Hennessey New Irish Writing Award, The Sunday Business Post Short Story Competition and The Benedict Kiely Short Story Competition. Her work has been published in The Irish Times, The Stinging Fly and others. A graduate of University College Dublin's MA in Creative Writing Program, Griffin is a recipient of an Arts Grant from Westmeath County Council. "When All Is Said" is her first novel. It was a semifinalist for the Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Debut, has been a bestselling novel in Ireland, and recently won the Irish Book Award for Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year.

*cr* *ani*