Dear CIM friends and supporters,

I hope to see you all at the Twin Cities Irish Fest, just one week away on August 7-9th! This year’s lineup includes some incredible artists including Biird, an 11-piece all-female group founded by award-winning multi-instrumentalist and singer Lisa Canny. 

Join us and cheer on our students on Friday at 4pm (Welcome stage), Saturday at 11am (Main stage) 3:45pm (Welcome Stage). An Luan & Open Sky will perform on Sunday at 11:15am (Celtic Junction stage). We have compiled a full list of performances involving our amazing instructors including children’s programs, but go to www.twincitiesirishfest.com/lineup to see the full lineup. This festival is a do-not-miss event, and it really needs support this year! You can purchase your tickets here.

We are in need of volunteers to help at the Center for Irish Music's tent at the Irish Fest. (read: a moment of shade, quiet & a place to put your things). Thank you in advance for your help! Sign up here and email Mattie Snyder with any questions.

The Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (All-Ireland Fleadh) kicks off this Sunday in Belfast. A handful of our students will be studying with Irish tutors at Scoil Éigse, and competing next weekend. Follow their travels through the eyes of Hannah Flowers, who will be there on official CIM duty after attending the World Harp Congress in Toronto this past week.

Fall registration opens next week! 

Norah Rendell

Executive Artistic Director

TWIN CITIES IRISH FEST

AUGUST 7-9TH, 2026

FALL REGISTRATION OPENS NEXT WEEK

Fall Term will run from September 8th through January 24th

REGISTRATION DEADLINES:

• Current private lesson students, look the pre-registration form and fill one out per student in your household.

• Friday, August 14th: Financial Aid application deadline for Fall Term

• Monday, August 17th: Registration deadline for returning students to keep private lesson times for Fall Term.

• Friday, August 21st: Registration Deadline for Group Classes & Family Discount

JOIN US FOR OUR OPEN HOUSE

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30TH, 2:30-4:30 PM

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We're looking for volunteers to set up, greet guests, and more!

sign up to volunteer here

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2026

FITZ SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS!

From Left: Rich Fitzgerald (Fitz' brother), Ann Schroeder (Adult recipient), Amelia Engelking (U12 recipient), Norah Rendell, Hannah Flowers, Teddy Brandt (U18 recipient), Brian Miller. 

UPCOMING CIM & COMMUNITY EVENTS

Parentheses indicate CIM instructors, students, or staff members performing with a group

SHOWING THROUGH AUGUST 9TH

Come From Away - featuring music from Laura MacKenzie

Guthrie Theater

WEDNESDAYS, 8:30-9:30PM

Late Night Irish

Waldmann Brewery and Wurstery in St. Paul

05-Aug: Ryan Behnke, Rosa Wells, Brian Miller 

12-Aug: Matt Wehling, Tom Klein, Paul Wehling 

19-Aug: Danny Diamond, Ryan Behnke, Cory Froelich

26-Aug: Morien McBurnie, Collin Fenton, Brian Miller 

02-Sep: Danny Diamond, Brian Miller, Smack Young Walser

AUGUST 3-6TH

Irish Fest Performance Camp - for CIM ensemble students

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6TH

House Concert: Dòrain (Mattie Ernst, Iain Dove McAfee), Cara Weggler Menge and Alexander Dove Lempke

Lakeville, MN - Contact host for details

AUGUST 7-9TH

Twin Cities Irish Fest

SUNDAY, AUGUST 16TH, 2-4PM

Tune Pals (John McCormick, Mary Vanorny, Ryan Behnke) and Danny Schwarze

Dubliner Pub

AUGUST 16TH, 7:00PM

Celtic Junction Presents Beoga

Celtic Junction Arts Center

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18TH, 6:00-8:00PM

Music on the Lawn: Laura MacKenzie

Macalester College

AUGUST 29TH, 6:00-7:30PM

Dòrain (Mattie Ernst, Iain Dove McAfee), Cara Weggler Menge and Alexander Dove Lempke

Jessenland Irish Festival

For more listings of events in the Twin Cities Irish community, visit the IAM Event Calendar and the Celtic Junction Arts Center (CJAC) website!

836 Prior Avenue North, Suite 400, St. Paul, MN 55104 • (651) 815-0083

www.centerforirishmusic.org