2024

Great Session Experience, June 9

The 2023 Great Session Experience brings together the Twin Cities Irish music community for many simultaneous in-person sessions around the Celtic Junction Arts Center. Outdoors; masking indoors in case of rain.

MIM Kick-Off at the Urban Growler, June 8

Join the Center for Irish Music at Urban Growler for an intimate performance from this year’s visiting master artists.

Minnesota Irish Music Weekend June 8-11

15th 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.

MIM: Master Artists Concert, June 10

Presented by the Center for Irish Music, the Master Artists Concert is the signature event of the Minnesota Irish Music Weekend. Don’t miss this rare chance to see the visiting master artists perform together on one stage!

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm O’Shea Irish Dance Recital for W-TH Classes, May 18

O’Shea Irish Dance Recital for M-T Classes, May 18

Myth Round Table, May 14

Irish Studies Round Table, May 9

Irish Studies Round Table is a new discussion forum for a broad spectrum of topics related to Irish culture. Any general interest in Irish culture is sufficient. It is hosted by Jane Kennedy and Patrick O’Donnell, two of our regular history and literature instructors.

Irish Language Conversation Circle, May 4

Practice conversing in Irish with other learners, free!

Beltane Céilí Dance ,May 3

Enjoy the vibrant tradition of céilí dancing— a social dance deeply rooted in Irish culture (and beyond!). Dance to the tunes of Legacy! Their lively melodies will have you tapping your feet and eager to get on the dance floor.

CJAC’s 15th Anniversary Celebration, April 27

Announcements and entertainment with King Wilkie’s Dream. Don’t miss our Aer Lingus Raffle Drawing, when you could win 2 round-trip tickets to Ireland! Celebrate with us as we honor 15 years of culture and community at the Celtic Junction.

Screening and Discussion: “Stories I Didn’t Know”, April 26

A search for her Irish ancestors leads a woman down an unexpected path to a family secret about a sacred piece of land. Director Rita Davern, Dakota educator Ramona Kitto Stately and recording artist Reuben Kitto Stately (stage name KITTO), will be present for the screening and Q&A session following the film.

Into the Woods: Irish Music and Dance in Logging Era Minnesota, April 21

Join Brian Miller for this audiovisual exploration of Rum River logging camp jig dancers, Bemidji street corner ballad singers, and Irish fiddlers who raised the roof on the Iron Range.

YAC Ceilli with the Gunn Slingers, April 20

Get ready for an electrifying night of music and dance as our Youth Advisory Council presents a social dance featuring the Gunn Slingers! Our talented Youth Advisory Council (YAC) musicians will also be taking the stage.

MOVIE: The Magdalene Sisters, April 20

The Magdalene Sisters is a heartbreaking and sometimes brutal film that portrays without flinching a dark time in Irish history…a time that continues to haunt the Irish to the present day. A discussion will follow the film.

Taking Flight Collective Concert 2024, April 19

Headed up by multi-instrumentalist Morien McBurnie (banjo, guitar, bouzouki, song) who will be performing a concert of gorgeous songs and driving instrumentals with the following guests: Ethan King, Owen Larson, Shawn McBurnie, Brian Miller, David Ochs, Carmen Pasquerella, Andrew Roberts, Katya Roberts, Liam Slattery, and Dáithí Sproule.

Irish Studies Round Table, April 18

The discussion theme will be the Easter Rising 1916. All are welcome to join! We will meet in the education classroom across from the McKiernan Library. Jane Kennedy and Patrick O’Donnell will be your hosts.

The Stories They Tell: Ireland’s Famine Museums, April 17

This free presentation will spotlight the museums’ histories with photos and commentary from the academic coordinator of the Irish Heritage Trust which operates the National Famine Museum in Strokestown.

Celtic Woman: 20th Anniversary Tour at the State Theatre, April 16

Celtic Woman celebrates two decades of music and artistry with their 20th Anniversary Tour, landing at the prestigious State Theatre.

Myth Round Table, April 16

This is a new discussion forum for all levels of interest in mythology, specifically emphasizing Celtic and Irish myth within the broader circle of world mythology. Ryan Quinn, our regular mythology instructor, hosts it. All are welcome.

Matt and Shannon Heaton in Concert, April 14

Boston-based Matt & Shannon Heaton play updated and traditional Irish music on flute, accordion, guitar, bouzouki, and voices. They feature husband-and-wife harmonies and instrumental virtuosity.

Dan Gleeson Gallery Opening, April 14

The beautiful architectural renderings of Irish-born architect Dan Gleeson vividly illustrate how one immigrant artist’s imagination helped shape the actual landscapes and skylines of the Twin Cities.

Cúchulainn: an imperishable reservoir of inspiration ,April 13

A lecture by Réamonn Ó Ciaráin, foremost expert on the legendary Irish hero Cúchulainn. He’ll be speaking on Cúchulainn as a source of inspiration. Réamonn will be joining us from Dublin for the weekend and presenting this lecture in English.

Film: Gael Linn at 70, April 12

“Gael Linn ag 70,” a commemorative program of music and song to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Irish language organization. Produced by Aniar for TG4, the celebratory program features music and conversation with an all-star cast.

Deireadh Seachtaine Gaeilge / Irish Language Weekend, April 12-14

I gComhar le Gaeltacht MN

Orkestar Bez Ime’s “21” Album Release, April 6

Balkan party band Orkestar Bez Ime (OBI) celebrates the birth of their first album in ten years — the aptly named “21.” The band features bold and border-crossing vocals; dizzyingly ornamented violin, clarinet, and accordion; and a metronomic rhythm section of bass, guitar and Bulgarian tambura, and drums, together amplifying the impulse to dance and celebrate.

Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas at The Cedar Cultural Center, April 3

Cutting-edge fiddle and cello! Sponsored by CJAC, presented by The Cedar.

Book Discussion: James Plunkett’s “Strumpet City”, April 2

Although a work of fiction, the story is based on the real-life Dublin worker’s lockout of 1913. Plunkett’s sweeping story, often called the Great Irish Novel, takes the reader into the dark heart of Dublin society in the early years of the 20th century.

Altan at the Dakota, March 26

With a career in Irish music for 35 years, Altan has achieved legendary status in a genre that has been equally shaped by the band’s influence and genius. Co-presented by Celtic Junction Arts Center.

SOLD OUT

Fiddler’s Pastime, March 24

A Celebration of the Music of Kenny Baker

Kenny Baker (1926 – 2011) was one of the greatest influences on bluegrass fiddling to ever live. For this first of its kind event in the Twin Cities, Minneapolis fiddler and Baker enthusiast AJ Srubas will gather some of Minnesota’s finest to showcase and celebrate Baker’s music and contributions to the genre.

Runa in Concert, March 22

Interweaving the haunting melodies and exuberant tunes of Ireland and Scotland with the lush harmonies and intoxicating rhythms of jazz, bluegrass, flamenco and blues, they offer a thrilling and redefining take on traditional music.

Celtic Junction at Allianz Field, March 20

Watch MNUFC take on St. Patrick’s Athletic w/ CJAC! St Patrick’s Athletic Football Club ( Cumann Peile Lúthchleas Phádraig Naofa) is a professional Irish association football club founded in 1939, based in Inchicore, Dublin, that plays in the Irish Premier Division.