Dear CIM supporters,


Thanks for joining us for the 15th Annual Minnesota Irish Music Weekend! This year's festival enjoyed record-breaking enrollment for the teen and adult programs, as well as outstanding concert & kick-off event ticket sales. Thanks to our visiting artists for making the trip, to our students and local teaching artists for their enthusiasm and participation, and to our amazing team of volunteers who worked all weekend long, led by CIM board member Jo Ann Vano.


The Minnesota Irish Music Weekend inspires us all, providing a weekend-long deep-dive into the music, and an opportunity to engage with the tradition in new ways. CIM gratefully acknowledges funding from the Emigrant Support Program (Irish Department of Foreign Affairs) and Larkin Hoffman, and in-kind sponsorship support from the Holiday Inn Downtown St. Paul, and the Celtic Junction Arts Center.


In other major news, the Nick Coleman Céilí Band (ages 15-18) is competing at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (All-Ireland Fleadh) in Mullingar Ireland! Dozens of CIM students and families will participate in solo and duet competitions, and attend Scoil Éigse workshop from August 7-13th! I will be traveling along as coach, taking over Brian's role as ceili band music director.


This year, the Irish Fair of Minnesota is on the same weekend (August 12-14), presenting CIM with a challenge that we are tackling with vigor. You can help us out by volunteering at our booth (see link below). The Fair is also looking for volunteers, so if you can volunteer for both organizations, even better!


Before all the madness starts up again, the CIM office is closing from July 4-14. Lessons & classes are still on for many of our students and instructors.


Norah Rendell

Executive Artistic Director

Center for Irish Music

SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR OPEN HOUSE

AUGUST 20, 2:00-4:30 PM

Join us on August 20th for the Center for Irish Music Open House! You'll have the chance to:


  • Register for fall classes
  • Participate in a class or instrument demo
  • Join in a traditional Irish session
  • Meet CIM instructors and staff
  • ... and more!


Stay tuned for demo schedules and additional details, coming soon!

WE NEED YOUR HELP AT THE IRISH FAIR OF MN

We need YOUR HELP to run our information booth at the Irish Fair of Minnesota!


Enjoy the Irish Fair while supporting the CIM and meeting new friends. Shifts are one hour long, and no previous experience is necessary - just enthusiasm for the Center for Irish Music.


Please contact Aja McCullough with questions!

SIGN UP NOW!

CONGRATULATIONS FITZ SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Tim 'Fitz' Fitzgerald was an integral part of the Twin Cities Irish community. A student who receives the Fitz Memorial Scholarship has demonstrated to their private teacher that they are dedicated to learning their chosen instrument; has shown an interest in expanding their musical education and experience; has shown interest in the larger Irish community by attending sessions or attending concerts and workshops.

READ MORE ON CIM BLOG

STUDENTS RETURN AFTER A SUCCESSFUL MIDWEST FLEADH

Congratulations to the 37 Center for Irish Music students, ages 8 to 75, who competed at the Midwest Fleadh Cheoil in St. Louis on the weekend of May 12-14! The Midwest Fleadh, hosted by St. Louis Irish Arts, brought competitors from across the Midwest, from Atlanta to St. Paul to the Hilton at the Ballpark Hotel in St. Louis for two days of competitions (solo, duets, trios and groups)...

READ MORE ON CIM BLOG

REGISTER NOW FOR UPCOMING SUMMER CLASSES

IRISH PUB SONGS

Hybrid class (online and in person)

Pub songs are raucous, tuneful, and above all, fun! But like the most intricate reel, you need skill and a concentrated approach to play and sing them well. Todd will teach the vocal techniques and rhythmic strategies needed to help you stand and deliver these wonderful ballads and drinking songs. All instruments encouraged.


Instructor: Todd Menton

Tuesdays, 7/11–8/15 | 7-8pm | $99

REGISTER

SINGING IRISH TRADITIONAL SONGS TOGETHER

Dáithí Sproule looks forward to this new in-person gathering in which he will share and teach some favourite, great traditional songs in English and Irish with an emphasis on singing them together and making up simple arrangements. It’s sure to be fun!


Instructor: Dáithí Sproule

Thursdays, 7/20–8/17 | 7-8pm | $83

REGISTER

UPCOMING CIM & COMMUNITY EVENTS

TUESDAY, JULY 4

CIM closed for 4th of July holiday


WEDNESDAY, JULY 5 | 8:00-11:00 PM

Áit Ait (Aja McCullough, Patrick Maun) & Mountain Loney (Danny Diamond)

White Squirrel


THURSDAY JULY 6 | 6:00pm 

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

American Swedish Institute


SATURDAY JULY 8 | 7:00 PM

The Frothy Band (Tom Klein, Laura MacKenzie, Mary Vanorny, Matt Wehling, Paul Wehling)

Imminent Brewing, Northfield 


SATURDAY, JULY 15 | 10:30 AM

Iain Dove McAfee, Rosa Wells & Thomas Gurke

Minnesota Scottish Fair Street Party

WEDNESDAY, JULY 19 | 6:00-9:00 PM

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

Dubliner Pub


FRIDAY, JULY 21 | 7:00 PM

CIM Taking Flight Collective Backyard Concert (Carmen Pasquerella, Ava Sackaroff, Brian Miller, Adrienne O'Shea)

Contact Maria Pasquerella for details


FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JULY 28-30

Trian (Dáithí Sproule, Liz Caroll, Billy McComiskey)

Lowell Folk Festival (Lowell, MA)


AUGUST 5-6

Hannah Flowers performance & workshops

Iowa Irish Fest


AUGUST 30 | 6:00 PM

Norah Rendell & Brian Miller

Resilience Concert Series at Overlook Park, 418 Summit Ave, St. Paul

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!
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This activity is made
possible by the voters of
Minnesota through
a Minnesota State Arts
Board Operating Support
grant, thanks to a
legislative appropriation
from the arts and
cultural heritage fund.