April 2023 Newsletter

Dear CIM supporters,

Thanks to all of our ensembles who shared their music with more than 800 people at 14 performances over the St. Patrick's Day season. Our adult ensembles, Open Sky Ensemble and An Luan, performed seven gigs at cafés, assisted living facilities, and Irish Arts Minnesota's Landmark Center events. Our youth ensembles delighted audiences around town as well! Twelve of our students (who also dance with O'Shea Irish Dance) played their instruments in the Kickin' It Irish "student number".

Congratulations on your performances, and thanks to all the parents and family members who supported our musicians during this busy season!

In April, Irish Arts Week is happening at the Celtic Junction Arts Center as many of our students gear up for spring performances and the annual trip to the Midwest Fleadh Cheoil in St. Louis.

We are thrilled to announce the 2023 Taking Flight Collective concert on Friday, April 28th featuring Carmen Pasquerella (flute/whistle) and Ava Sackaroff (harp, flute/whistle). We also want to draw special attention to Dáithí Sproule's concert on Saturday, April 22nd with Hannah Flowers and Aria Von Edeskuty. The link is in our listings below.

We are very much looking forward to the 15th Annual Minnesota Irish Music Weekend. This year's artists, programs and events are up online and registration will open soon.

Enjoy your spring break!

Norah Rendell

Executive Artistic Director

Center for Irish Music

TAKING FLIGHT COLLECTIVE CONCERT

APRIL 28, 2023 | 7:00 PM

The Center for Irish Music's Taking Flight Collective is a program that supports the next generation of artistic leaders in the community by providing performance opportunities and mentorship with inspiring musicians. Come support the next generation and hear some gorgeous Irish music! The 2023 Taking Flight Collective is Carmen Pasquerella and Ava Sackaroff...

MN IRISH MUSIC WEEKEND MASTER ARTISTS

JUNE 8-11, 2023

Join us for the 15th annual Minnesota Irish Music Weekend, presented by the Center for Irish Music. This unique festival pairs world-class traditional Irish musicians and teachers with learners of all ages for a weekend of workshops, lectures, sessions and concerts.

We're thrilled to welcome the following Master Artists this year:

...and more!

Each of our visiting artists is recognized for their musical mastery, and will offer insights and techniques to help learners tap into the deep roots of traditional Irish music. Registration will be open soon, so watch your inbox for updates!

IRISH ARTS MINNESOTA EDUCATIONAL GRANT

APPLICATIONS DUE APRIL 15

Irish Arts Minnesota offers merit-based educational grants to help students of any age pursue their interest in the traditional arts of Ireland, with the goal of helping people who love Irish music, dance, visual arts, language, or storytelling to continue their studies, move to the next level of mastery, and share their interests with others...

READ MORE & APPLY

SPRING TERM RECITALS

All spring recitals will take place in person at the Celtic Junction Arts Center Performance Hall.

Sunday, May 7th - Youth Recitals

12:30 pm - Redwing Ensemble & all solos

2:00pm - Beginning Ensemble & all solos

3:30pm - Advanced Youth Ensemble, Grùpa ceoil & all solos

Friday, May 19th, 7pm Adult Open Mic

Sunday, May 21st - Youth Recitals

2:00pm - Intro to Tin Whistle for Kids & all solos

3:30pm - Starling Ensemble, u15 and u18 céili bands & all solos

UPCOMING CIM & COMMUNITY EVENTS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5 | 6:00-9:00 PM

Connemara Patch (Mary Vanorny, Aja McCullough, Buddy Ferrari, Patrick Maun, Thomas Gurke)

The Dubliner Pub

THURSDAY, APRIL 6 | 6:00-7:00 PM

An Luan Adult Ensemble

Fika, American Swedish Institute

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12 | 6:00-9:00 PM

Kate Wade with the Twin Cities Ceili Band

The Dubliner Pub

SATURDAY, APRIL 15 | 8:00 PM

The McNordiques (Tom Klein, Dan Newton, Renee Vaughan)

Ginkgo Coffeehouse

APRIL 14-30

Irish Arts Week

Celtic Junction Arts Center

APRIL 21-23

Deireadh Seachtaine Gaeilge /Irish Language Weekend, part of Irish Arts Week

Celtic Junction Arts Center

FRIDAY, APRIL 21 | 7:00 PM

Duos & Trios Night

Center for Irish Music Scanlan Music Hall

SATURDAY, APRIL 22 | 7:30-9:30 PM

Dáithí Sproule in Concert, part of Irish Arts Week, with Hannah Flowers and Aria von Edeskuty

Celtic Junction Arts Center

SUNDAY, APRIL 23 | 7:00-9:30 PM

JigJam in Concert, part of Irish Arts Week

featuring MIM visiting artist Gavin Strappe on banjo & mandolin!

Celtic Junction Arts Center

FRIDAY, APRIL 28 | 7:00 PM

Taking Flight Collective Concert, part of Irish Arts Week

Center for Irish Music

SATURDAY, APRIL 29 | 3:00 PM

Irish Traditional Musicians in Chicago 1920–2020 with Richie Piggot

Celtic Junction Arts Center

SUNDAY, APRIL 30 | 3:00 PM

New Deals and Eight-Hand Reels: Irish Music, Dance and Culture in the Depression-Era Twin Cities

with Brian Miller

Celtic Junction Arts Center

This is not an exhaustive listing of all events in the Twin Cities Irish community. For more listings, visit the IAM Event Calendar and the Celtic Junction Arts Center (CJAC). CJAC concerts are free for ages 18 and under.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE CIM!

The Center for Irish Music is a 501c3 nonprofit, and we depend on your support to continue passing down the tradition of Irish music and song. Please consider joining us as a volunteer or making a gift to the CIM today!