July 2026 Newsletter

Dear CIM friends,

The 18th annual Minnesota Irish Music weekend (MIM) was a rejuvenating and successful weekend of music-sharing, cultural connection & education, and great craic. Many thanks to all of the people who make this teaching festival possible each year. We’re already looking forward to next year's Minnesota Irish Music Weekend, slated for June 10-13, 2027!

We had a great time at the Twin Cities Irish Fest Block Party this past weekend, and encourage you to get your tickets for this year’s Fest now - the biggest single Irish music & culture event in our state! The Fest is also in need of volunteers; sign up with a group of your friends to be part of the 2026 crew. We’ll be at the Fest in full force with several of our ensembles performing, instrument petting zoo & singing demos for kids and families, and a booth… come see us! View the full lineup of performing musicians and purchase your Irish Fest tickets here.

Our summer term is in full swing: students (and instructors) are busy absorbing new music and techniques from this year’s MIM artists. We're looking forward to four weeks of Irish music summer camps, the first of which starts next Monday, July 6th. There are still spots available for camps later this month!

I look forward to seeing you out and about this summer,

Norah Rendell

CIM Executive Artistic Director

MIKE & GLORIA LYNCH MEMORIAL

A celebration of the lives of Mike and Gloria Lynch packed the house at Celtic Junction Arts Center last Friday, June 19th. More than 100 family and friends raised a glass to the Lynches, picturing Mike in his customary position as volunteer barkeep and Gloria, as always, keeping track of all the moving parts.

READ FULL ARTICLE

YOUTH SUMMER CAMPS:

A FEW MORE OPENINGS!

IRISH MUSIC & ARTS

FULL-DAY CAMP

with CIM instructors

July 13-17th, 9:00am-3:00pm

one spot remaining!

IRISH MUSIC & ARTS

HALF-DAY CAMP

with Adrienne O'Shea

July 27-31st, 9:00am-12:00pm

spots available!

SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR OPEN HOUSE

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30TH

2:30-4:30 PM

You'll have the chance to:

Meet CIM instructors and staff
Take part in an instrument or class demo
Register for fall classes
and more

Full schedule coming soon.

MORE INFO

UPCOMING CIM & COMMUNITY EVENTS

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

JUNE 6TH-AUGUST 9TH

Come From Away - featuring music by Laura MacKenzie

Guthrie Theater

JULY 6-10TH, 9:30AM-12:30PM

Introduction to Irish Harp Summer Camp

Irish Fiddle for Violinists Summer Camp

JULY 13-17TH, 9:00AM-3:00PM

Irish Music & Arts Summer Camp

FRIDAY, JULY 17TH

Saints Game Social: Irish Night, Picnic & Happy Hour

CHS Field, St. Paul

Organized by the Celtic Junction Arts Center

WEDNESDAYS, 8:30-9:30 PM

Late Night Irish

Waldmann Brewery

July 1: Danny Diamond, Ryan Behnke, Buddy Ferrari

July 8: Danny Diamond, Brian Miller, Jode Dowling

July 15: Norah Rendell, Mary Vanorny, Brian Miller

July 22: Norah Rendell, Barry Foy, Cory Froehlich

July 29: Mary Vanorny, John McCormick, Brian Miller

August 5: Ryan Behnke, Rosa Wells, Brian Miller

SATURDAY, JULY 18TH, 11:00AM-12:00PM

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

MN Scottish Fair

JULY 27-31ST, 9:00AM-12:00PM

Half-day Irish Music & Arts Camp w/ Adrienne O’Shea

AUGUST 3-6TH

Irish Fest Performance Camp - for CIM ensemble students

AUGUST 7-9TH

Twin Cities Irish Fest

AUGUST 16TH, 7:00PM

Celtic Junction Presents Beoga

Celtic Junction Arts Center

For more listings of events in the Twin Cities Irish community,

visit the IAM Event Calendar and the Celtic Junction Arts Center (CJAC) website!

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!

VOLUNTEER

DONATE NOW

CONNECT WITH US

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

www.centerforirishmusic.org

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.