2020
Solstice Sing with Charlie Heymann, December 20
Before the time of St. Patrick, Winter Solstice (the longest night and shortest day of the year) was the winter celebration in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales of the sun’s return (longer days and shorter nights).
Celtic Holiday Hooley On Demand, December 19-31
Our Holiday Hooley is bringing you holiday laughs and cheer right into the coziness of your living room. Recorded live on the Celtic Junction stage, it delivers warm fuzzies and family fun!
Éire – Athbheochan/Revival 1893-2018, November 17
This exhibition was generously loaned to us by the Consulate General of Ireland in Chicago. The Eoin McKiernan Library is proud to have hosted this remarkable display.
Frederick Douglass Symposium, October 30
CJAC Live Online Fall Fundraiser, October 24
As one Irish proverb says, “Life is like a cup of tea. It is all in how you make it.” While this year there was no mingling together or circulating platters of hors-d’oeuvres, there were familiar faces to be seen - and new ones.
Pumpkin and Apple Sale, October 19-25
Our yearly harvest sale of delicious apples from Fireside Apples & Orchard and magnificent pumpkins, squash, and gourds from our own Pumpkin Jack will take place Oct 19-22 and the October 24-25 weekend!
Fireside Orchard & Gardens Apple Products- Preorder Only, October 12-18
Pure Apple Cider 1/2 Gal $6 - Apple Pie, Frozen Unbaked $18 - Apple Crisp, Frozen Unbaked $15 - Caramel Apple Dip $7
Two Tap Trio in Concert, Sept 20
Dáithà Sproule and Laura MacKenzie in Concert, Sept 20
Songs and Music of Ireland & Scotland, plus original instrumentals. Dáithà Sproule on guitar and voice with Laura MacKenzie on flutes, whistles, pipes, concertina, and voice.
Taking Flight Collective, September 20
Featuring Adrienne O’Shea (vocals, flute), Ian McKenna (accordion), and Joe De Georgeo (fiddle) with guitarist Brian Miller, this performance marks the launch of a 2020-21 pilot project from the Center for Irish Music.
Patsy O’Brien and Dick Hensold in Concert, Sept 20
An hour of traditional Celtic music with innovative arrangements. A variety of songs from Britain and Ireland accompanied by guitar and Northumbrian smallpipes (a quiet bagpipe from NE England) and whistles.
Wild Colonial Bhoys in Concert, September 19
Gary Rue in Concert, Sept 19
Gary Rue in Concert is a solo show of voice and guitar during which he’ll be sharing some songs off his CD, Craft Singles. This concert is part of the Celtic Junction Fall Outdoor Concert Weekend.
Dennis Curley & The Explainers, September 19
The Explainers are Dennis Curley, Katy Hays, Tony Wirth, Leo Lenander and Matthew Zimmerman. They have played in such bands as Pizzazz (a Twin Cities premier party band), Blazing Saddles, Honeywine, and Marrakesh Express.
Dakota Dave Hull in Concert, September 19
Hailed by all from Dave Van Ronk to Doc Watson, from the Washington Post to Downbeat, Dakota Dave Hull’s guitar style is an infectious, unique blend of jazz, ragtime, folk, blues, Western swing, and vintage pop.
Liam Slattery & David Ochs in Concert, Sept 19
Todd Menton in Concert, Sept 18
Todd Menton is the lead singer/songwriter for Minnesota’s folk-rock powerhouse Boiled in Lead, and teaches at The Center for Irish Music. We've seen Todd perform solo, with BiL, and as part of the Kickin’ It Irish and Celtic Holiday Hooley bands.
Dean Magraw in Concert, Sept 18
Composer, arranger, producer, and guitarist Dean Magraw has fine-tuned his passionate “Heavy Meadow” music from years of performing and recording with some of the finest in North America, Europe, and Japan.
Twice Banjaxed in Concert, Sept 18
Twice Banjaxed is Derek Anderson (banjo) and Morien McBurnie (banjo, guitar). At 16 and 15 years old, they are the youngest performers in the Celtic Junction Fall Outdoor Concert Weekend.
International Irish Dance Day, September 17
Two Tap Trio in Concert, August 8
As part of the celebrations of O’Shea Irish Dance’s 15th Anniversary and the Irish Fair of Minnesota’s Pour Pour Party, Two Tap Trio will be performing their unique blend of traditional dance tunes.
OID 15th Anniversary, August 8
Original cast member of Riverdance, the Show, Cormac Ó Sé has been training young dancers and performing at Twin Cities venues for 15 years! In that time he has taught the most decorated Irish dancers in Minnesota.
Irish Porch Pour Party, August 8
Just because we aren’t at Irish Fair this weekend doesn’t mean we don’t have cause to celebrate together! We can’t all gather together, but we can PRETEND at our socially distanced, artists-only, masked, spread-across-the-parking-lot virtual event.Â
Irish of Minnesota Digital Gallery Launch, August 8-9
Photographer Tom Dunn is well-known for his documentary photography project, “Irish of Minnesota,” at over 100 portraits and growing - now with an Irish of Minnesota gallery on Facebook. Please like his page here!
Ireland Performs, July 1-27
Ireland Performs was a short-term scheme to support online performances by Irish artists during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ireland Performs was presented by Culture Ireland with the support of FACEBOOK Ireland and delivered in partnership with First Music Contact.
Shades of Green, July 1-27
Shades of Green is a celebration of the range and depth of Irish culture in America. Presented by the Embassy & Consulates of Ireland USA.Â
CJAC Family Ceili, Aug 7
This is a socially-distanced outdoor ceili. Masks are required. Full details to come!
Ceolchoirm do Mholli, July 4
Join us for a unique Irish language concert from Conamara in the West of Ireland!! This live virtual concert is a fundraiser for a little girl with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in Cork
Ireland Performs, July 1-27
Ireland Performs was a short-term scheme to support online performances by Irish artists during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ireland Performs was presented by Culture Ireland with the support of FACEBOOK Ireland and delivered in partnership with First Music Contact.
Shades of Green, July 1-27
Shades of Green is a celebration of the range and depth of Irish culture in America. Presented by the Embassy & Consulates of Ireland USA.Â
Matt Cranitch Live from Cork, June 14
A Minnesota Irish Music Weekend @ Home (MIM @ Home) concert with master artist Matt Cranitch live on fiddle!
Seán Gavin & Danny Diamond in concert, with Brian Miller, June 13
Live broadcast from the Celtic Junction Arts Center! Join two of Minnesota Irish Music Weekend at Home’s master artists as they broadcast live from the Celtic Junction Arts Center stage.Â
Conal Ó Gráda Live from Ballyvourney, June 13
A Minnesota Irish Music Weekend @ Home (MIM @ Home) concert with master artist Conal Ó Gráda live on flute and whistle!
Benny McCarthy of Waterford, June 11
A Minnesota Irish Music Weekend @ Home (MIM @ Home) concert during the opening reception with master artist Benny McCarthy on button accordion!
Minnesota Irish Music Weekend at Home, June 11-14
The 12th Annual Minnesota Irish Music Weekend is online! Join the Center for Irish Music and master artists Matt Cranitch, Conal Ó Gráda, Benny McCarthy, Pauline Conneely, Brian Ó hAirt, Danny Diamond and Seán Gavin for MIM@Home.
Advanced Youth Ensemble Showcase, June 10
A Minnesota Irish Music Weekend @ Home (MIM @ Home) preview concert with CIM’s own Advanced Youth Ensemble!
Brian Ă“ hAirt Live from Portland, June 7
A Minnesota Irish Music Weekend @ Home (MIM @ Home) preview concert with master artist Brian Ă“ hAirt live in a concert of unaccompanied song!
Pauline Conneely Live from Chicago, June 6
A Minnesota Irish Music Weekend @ Home (MIM @ Home) preview concert with master artist Pauline Conneely live on banjo!
Food Drive, June 6
The turn out has been amazing!! Thank you to all who have participated!
Food Drive, June 5
We are partnering with the Hamline-Midway Food & Empowerment project in support of our neighborhood. Drop off non-perishable food, baby care essentials, and personal care items at the Celtic Junction located at 836 Prior Ave N. in Saint Paul. No contact drop-off. Please wear masks and social distance.
Food Drive, June 4
We are partnering with the Hamline-Midway Food & Empowerment project in support of our neighborhood. Drop off non-perishable food, baby care essentials, and personal care items at the Celtic Junction located at 836 Prior Ave N. in Saint Paul. No contact drop-off. Please wear masks and social distance.
Food Drive, June 3
We are partnering with the Hamline-Midway Food & Empowerment project in support of our neighborhood. Drop off non-perishable food, baby care essentials, and personal care items at the Celtic Junction located at 836 Prior Ave N. in Saint Paul. No contact drop-off. Please wear masks and social distance.
Ann & Charlie Heymann at Home with the Gaelic Harp, May 23
Ann and Charlie discuss and demonstrate their unique approach to performing old Gaelic poetry with the cláirseach aka early Irish harp or Gaelic harp.
Adrienne O’Shea, May 16
In the midst of a worldwide pandemic it is, perhaps, appropriate that this young “Zennial” musician makes her solo presence known online, simultaneously on both sides of the Atlantic, performing live from her home and broadcasting on the Celtic Junction Arts Center’s FB page.
Hannah Flowers, May 2
Grab a cup of tea, or something stronger, your quarantine pal or furry friend, and settle in for a relaxing evening. Join her (virtually) on the CJAC FB Page live at 7:30pm and leave thoughts of pandemics and toilet paper shortages behind.
Lecture: Despair in the Heartland, April 27
Jane Kennedy tells of the Connemaras of Graceville. This substantive talk will present an account of how Connemara emigrants from Ireland’s western seaboard suffered through and survived one of Minnesota’s harshest winters in 1880.Â
Pete McCauley, an acoustic virtual concert, April 25
Tips will be donated to the Midway Food Shelf operated by Keystone Community Services. This food shelf serves the Midway area, which is where the Celtic Junction is located and where Pete lives. Due to COVID-19, food insecurity is rampant.
New Hibernia Review Panel & Discussion, April 25
This journal is the cornerstone of the Center for Irish Studies at the University of St. Thomas, New Hibernia Review offers plainly argued writing on Irish life and culture for the scholar and lay reader alike.
O’Shaughnessy Poetry Prize Winner Ailbhe Nà Ghearbhuigh, April 25
Free. Ailbhe NĂ Ghearbhuigh is an Irish poet who writes in the Irish language.Â
Murder Ballads from Ireland and Elsewhere, April 25
Courtney Buck discusses and sings songs about murder from across the pond with ballads and stories that made it from Ireland, Scotland, and England to the mountains of Appalachia and beyond.
Irish Storytime, April 25
Join Alisa Mee and Lavinia Finnerty for a bilingual storytime in Irish and English for children up to five and their families, including rhymes and songs from the Center for Irish Music’s Celtic Cuties class. This free event is co-presented by the Center for Irish Music (CIM) and Celtic Junction Arts Center (CJAC).
Scottish Ceilidh with the Gunn Slingers, April 24
Drawing Celtic Mythology, April 23
Join artist Carrie Finnigan to learn how the haunting and magical gods, goddesses, heroes, magicians, and landscapes of the Celtic realms can be given creative expression and re-interpretation.
An Evening with James Joyce, April 22
Staged Readings illuminating the life and work of this world-famous modernist genius, James Joyce (1882-1941). The actors will bring the words of this extraordinary mind to life.
Free Irish Dance Class: Adults, April 22
Free. Join an O’Shea Irish Dance class and get a thorough workout while learning some steps with other adults. Come on in, it’s fun! This event is part of Irish Arts Week.
Irish Language Blessings and Curses, April 21
There are no limits to language mastery in this literary jewel, with expressions that are sought after, and curious phrases that can delight or upset an acquaintance. Join Lavinia Finnerty as she shares some of these gems, and stories from her own upbringing.
Irish Blues Legend Rory Gallagher, April 20
Patsy O'Brien tells the story of renowned blues guitarist Rory Gallagher, from his early days growing up in Ireland that had just discovered rock’n’roll, to attracting the admiration of musical giants like Jimi Hendrix and Brian May.Â
An Evening with John Dingley, April 19
Join us for an evening of entertainment with local Welsh-native, singer, poet, actor, author, and character extraordinaire. John will also be signing copies of his latest book, A Visit Home.
Film – The Camino Voyage, April 19
A crew including a writer, two musicians, an artist and a stonemason embark on an inspiring and dangerous 2,500 kilometre modern-day Celtic odyssey from Ireland to Spain. This event is part of the Irish Arts Week.
Workshop: Adapting Pipe Tunes to Flute and Whistle, April 19
Cameron St. Louis – wooden flutes, whistles, Scottish smallpipes, Flemish pipes; instrument maker. Learn a number of simple tunes and practice applying the stylistic palette which distinguishes Scottish bagpipe music.
Workshop: Essentials of Scottish Fiddling, April 19
Brandon Vance – Scottish fiddle champion (Scotland’s Royal National Mod 2017 “Sutherland Cup” in Scottish Fiddle, U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion 1999 and 2001).
CJAC’s Children’s Fair, April 19
Your young ones can dance a jig, try out instruments, listen to some rollicking tunes, enjoy story time and puppets, play games, and munch on some snacks. Part of the Irish Arts Week.
Workshop: Scottish Gaelic Puirt-a-Beul, April 19
Gaelic singer and scholar Richard Hill will teach a Scottish Gaelic workshop on “mouth-music” or puirt-a-beul. By studying and singing simple dance tunes, participants will take a look at the eternal rivalry between the wintry Cailleach and Brìde, spirit of spring.
Danny Diamond and Anna Lethert, April 19
From their living room to yours, a special virtual concert. Join dancer Anna Lethert and fiddle player Danny Diamond for an intimate online concert broadcast from their home!
CJAC Saturday Night Session, April 18
Free! Join us after the Beltane Boys concert with your instruments for a fun session in the remodeled lobby space. Don’t play an instrument? Come and enjoy music, company, and craic! This event is part of the Irish Arts Weekend.Â
The Beltane Boys in Concert, April 18
The Beltane Boys are a unique Celtic band from the Pacific Northwest, combining virtuosic solo performances with three-part vocal harmonies and refined ensemble playing. Part of the St. Paul Irish Arts Week.
IMDA 3rd Saturday Ceili dance, April 18
Leacht le Brian Ă“ Conchubair / Lecture with Brian Ă“ Conchubair, April 18
This will be a fascinating look at Douglas Hyde’s travels in America in 1905/1906 during which he raised funds and awareness for the revival of the Irish language.
Leacht le Dáithà Sproule/ Lecture with Daithi Sproule, April 17
Dáithà Sproule explains the fascinating connection music groups Skara Brae and Altan have with Irish language music and the Gaeltacht.
Irish Language Exhibition, April 17
Free. Minnesota Premier of the Irish Government’s traveling Irish language exhibition!
Norah Rendell and Brian Miller, April 4
From their living room to yours, a special virtual concert. Join singer and flute player Norah Rendell and her guitar-playing husband Brian Miller for an intimate online concert broadcast from their home!
Aoife Scott in Concert, April 3
Aoife has had to cancel the rest of her tour and head home to Ireland due to Covid-19. We hope to welcome her here in the future.
Whiskey Tasting, March 29
This event benefits Irish Fair of MN. Join Irish hosts Kieran Folliard and Gerry Diver for stories and tastes of some of Ireland’s finest whiskeys in the elegant Eoin McKiernan Library.Â
Doolin’ – Halfway to Irish Fair! March 29
French in origin – though easily mistaken for Irish musicians – this sextet (guitar, bodhrán, violin, tin whistle, accordion/vocals, bass) brings a fresh approach to Irish music. Irish music with a French touch!
Scottish Ceilidh with the Gunn Slingers, March 27
St. Patrick’s Day Ceili Dance, March 17
Featuring the Twin Cities Ceili Band. This is an annual ceili dance that gets people on the floor laughing and having fun!
Kickin’ It Irish! March 15
Cancelled due to the pandemic.
Kickin’ It Irish Matinee, March 15
Cancelled due to the pandemic.
Kickin’ It Irish! March 14
Cancelled due to the pandemic.
Kickin' It Irish Matinee, March 14
Cancelled due to the pandemic.
Kickin' It Irish! March 13
Kickin' It Irish, cancelled due to the pandemic.
Kickin’ It Irish Matinee, March 8
Kickin' It Irish! March 7
Celebrate St. Paddy’s Day in true Irish style with Kickin’ It Irish! Featuring Dublin native and original Riverdancer Cormac O’Sé.
Kickin’ It Irish Matinee, March 7
Celebrate Saint Paddy’s Day in true Irish style with Kickin’ It Irish! Featuring Dublin native and original Riverdancer Cormac O’Sé, Kickin’ It Irish is a modern fusion of show-style Irish dance and live Irish music.
Kickin’ It Irish! March 6
Opening night of Kickin' It Irish 2020, an Irish music and dance spectacular!
Karan Casey in Concert, March 1
Karan has long been one of the most innovative and imitated voices in Irish music. Her career has spanned twenty-five years from a jazz performer to her heady days with the band Solas to her now solo career.Â
A Solo Trio: Lojo Russo, Adam Stemple, Teresa Chandler, Feb 29
A Solo Trio is Adam Stemple, Teresa Chandler, and Lojo Russo together for one night of magical musical mayhem.
Scottish Ceilidh with the Gunn Slingers, Feb 28
Éigse CIM, A Gaela Event, Feb 22
A night in support of the Center for Irish Music!
Norah Rendell and The Lost Forty, Jan 31
Featuring Live Ireland’s “Best Irish Vocalist of 2011, 2012 and 2016”, Canadian singer, Norah Rendell heads up a powerful song-based trio with top-notch multi-instrumentalists, Brian Miller and Randy Gosa.
Scottish Ceilidh with the Gunn Slingers, Jan 24
Join us for a monthly ceilidh dance - they teach the dances!
A lecture by Irish musician and author Fintan Vallely, Jan 10
Free colloquium. Clattering feet and thumping the bodhrán – the percussive impulse in Irish music.