Come witness a unique musical performance and collaboration between instructors from the Traditional Arts Partnership (Armagh) and the Center for Irish Music (Dáithí Sproule, Mary Vanorny, Norah Rendell, Todd Menton) with a set from Ojibwe artists, the Sullivan Squad of Lac Courte Oreilles, WI.

Last year, in the depths of the lockdown, these musicians met virtually, collaborating over video with masks and thousands of miles of distance. On April 22nd, they’ll be meeting and playing together. Don’t miss this exciting musical night! Advance tickets are $15/$20 at the door.

In 2021, as part of CJAC’s social justice series, these musicians commemorated and celebrated the linguistic and cultural friendship between Ireland and the peoples of the First Nations during an online event called Anamchairde/ Kindred Spirits. Some of the music was written specifically for the event. Composer Aodh Mac Murchaidh is a young member of the Traditional Arts Partnership. He was 16 when he composed two tunes to be played at this concert, “Anamchairde” and “Kindred Spirits,” which were inspired by Irish traditions and the traditions of the Native American Nations.

This event is part of Irish Arts Week. 

Sullivan Squad

Sullivan Squad is a family of traditional Anishinaabe singers from the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe reservation in Wisconsin. The group consists of Michael Migizi Sullivan Sr., his sons Niizhoo Sullivan, Preston Sullivan, Lennox Sullivan, and daughter Lexie Suillivan. They enjoy singing together at round dances, ceremonies, hand drum contests, events, and celebrations across Turtle Island. They have all been singing since they were little and sing regularly around the house. On the powwow trail, you can find them singing with their drum groups Hay Creek and Pipestone.  #SKWAAD

Traditional Arts Partnership (TAP) S’Armagh

The Traditional Arts Partnership (TAP) was formed in 2011 by Elaine O’Sullivan and Fergal O’Brien. TAP now has eighteen tutors teaching and mentoring on 12 different instruments and also offers Sean-Nós singing classes in English and Irish. TAP has over 140 children and adults enrolled in the classes which are based in Mullaghbawn. TAP encourages every young musician to regard themselves as a teacher, a mentor, and an exemplar for their peers and their community. A key component of the tuition is the Grúpa Ceoil classes. Here young musicians work and play together as a team on a wide variety of instruments, learning and playing intricate arrangements on tunes – and developing their individual and collective social confidence.

Photo by Aja McCullough Beers

Center for Irish Music (CIM) St. Paul

The Center for Irish Music (CIM) is a traditional music school in St. Paul, Minnesota that is committed to “handing down the tradition” of Irish music. The CIM serves more than 385 students year-round with weekly private lessons and classes on 16 different Irish instruments, including singing in Irish and English. Every year in June, the CIM presents the Minnesota Irish Music Weekend, a world-class teaching weekend that draws students from across the USA and Canada. Founded in 2004, the CIM moved into Celtic Junction Arts Center where it has 8 permanent classrooms and an office, and access to a beautiful performance space and venue.