Minnesota Irish Music Weekend

Join us for the 16th annual Minnesota Irish Music Weekend!

Presented by the Center for Irish Music, Minnesota Irish Music Weekend is a unique festival that pairs world-class traditional Irish musicians and teachers with learners of all ages for a weekend of workshops, lectures, sessions and concerts.

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.

Schedule of Events:

Concerts and Public Events:

These events are open to anyone who would like to experience the Minnesota Irish Music Weekend, whether or not they are registered in workshops or youth programs. Parents, partners, friends, fans, music-lovers are all welcome!

6:00pm: Joey Abarta in Concert

Don't miss this cd-launch concert of uilleann piper Joey Abarta's second solo album, King of the Blind to close out the Minnesota Irish Music Weekend. This acoustic concert will be presented in the Scanlan Music Hall and open to the first 50 people who purchase tickets.

Joey Abarta is an award-winning uilleann piper who has spent more than half his life traveling, teaching, and performing. Originally from California, he first received instruction on the pipes from Dubliner Pat D’Arcy, a founding member of the Southern California Uilleann Pipers Club. He went on to receive 2nd place at the All Ireland Fleadh in piping in 2009, and first prize at the An tOireachtas, becoming the the first American uilleann piper to do so since 1969. Joey is an active contributor to his local Boston scene and was the 2015 recipient of the Artist Fellowship in the Traditional Arts from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Location: Scanlan Music Hall at the Center for Irish Music

Cost: $20 advance / $25 at the door

Buy Tickets

Programs:

Irish Trad Immersion Camp (9-12 years):

A fun intensive Irish music workshop!

Come spend two afternoons with other young musicians who are ready to learn to play more Irish traditional music. If you already play some Irish tunes, or if you play an instrument that suits Irish music (see the list of instruments below), join our CIM instructors for the 2024 Irish Trad Immersion Camp.

Open to whistle, fiddle, flute, mandolin, banjo, guitar, harp and piano players who know five to ten Irish tunes, this program is a condensed, introductory version of the teen program. Music will be taught by ear. Please contact us if your instrument is not included in the list.

Trad Camp students and families are strongly encouraged to attend the Friday night Great Session Experience from 7-9pm. There will be a cash bar and refreshments available to the public, so invite all of your friends to hear the music!

Age: 9 to 12 yrs

Level: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate

Instructors: CIM instructors

Program Schedule:

Saturday & Sunday, June 8th & 9th
1:00-4:00pm with a short performance/demo for parents at 3:45pm on Sunday

Cost: $99 before May 20th | $109 after May 20th

Registration includes a t-shirt, free admission to the Thursday night kick-off at the Urban Growler, free admission to the Great Session Experience, a ticket to the Master Artist Concert, and snacks during the workshops.  Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all MIM evening events. Adult tickets for public events are available on the registration page.

Register Here

Advanced Teen Program (12 to 19 yrs):

Three days with internationally renowned traditional Irish musicians. New tunes, new techniques, new and deepened musical friendships!

This course is specifically designed for teens who already play Irish instruments at an intermediate to advanced level. Fiddlers, flute and tin whistle players, accordion players, guitarists, pipers, banjo players and singers will all have the opportunity to learn from the visiting artists in small class sizes.

While attendance is not required, the Friday night Great Session Experience (GSE) is a highly-recommended part of the teen program and we want to see you there! We encourage families to come and join in as players or listeners. There will be a cash bar and refreshments available to the public.

Age: 12-19 years

Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Instructors: MIM visiting artists

Schedule:

9:00am - 12:00pm: Workshops
12:00 - 1:00pm: Group Photos (required), Lunch (optional)
1:00pm - 4:00pm: Adult Workshops (optional for teens)

Cost: $175 before May 20th | $225 after May 20th

Registration includes a t-shirt, free admission to the Thursday night kick-off at the Urban Growler, free admission to the Great Session Experience, a ticket to the Master Artist Concert, and snacks during the workshops. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all MIM evening events. Adult tickets available soon.

Register Here

Adult Program - Workshops, Lectures and Events:

The Minnesota Irish Weekend offers a selection of workshops & lectures with the visiting artists. There is something for everyone, musicians and non-musicians alike. Instrument-specific workshops with the visiting artists are available throughout the weekend.

Instructors: MIM visiting artists

Schedule:

9:00am - 10:20am: Workshop Period 7
10:40am - 12:00pm: Workshop Period 8
Noon - 1: Lunch
1:00pm - 2:20pm: Workshop period 9
2:40pm - 4:00pm: Workshop period 10
6:00pm: Joey Abarta in Concert

Cost:

Full weekend (10 workshops): $270 before May 20th | $300 after May 20th
8 workshops throughout the weekend: $256 before May 20th | $280 after May 20th
Á la carte workshops: $36 each before May 20th | $40 after May 20th

Register Here