Summer greetings from the Center for Irish Music,

Summer term has launched with some popular group classes including Dáithí Sproule's Irish Folk Boom of the '60's, Alisa Mee's Celtic Cuties and Mary Vanorny's FairPlé Fiddlers Circle.

There are more summer camps and classes on offer, and it's not too late to sign up! See information below and follow links to register by July 7th.

The Center for Irish Music is a proud sponsor of the Children's Tent programming at the Irish Fair of Minnesota on Harriet Island, August 9-11. Keep an eye out for the performance schedule, and be sure to plan your weekend around our student performances on the Main stage (10:30am on Saturday), River stage, Pub tent, Tea room and Children's tent. We are also looking for volunteers for the CIM booth in the marketplace .

The 11th Annual Minnesota Irish Music Weekend was an incredible weekend of music with a record-breaking turnout for the Master Artists concert! Thanks to the volunteers, participants and visiting artists who made the weekend so special. Check out our Facebook photo album, and mark your calendars now for June 11-14, 2020!

Finally, if you are able, please consider a contribution to Help Put Minnesota on the Map to support our efforts to connect the local community to Ireland through programs like the Fleadh (scholarships for youth) and the Minnesota Irish Music Weekend. Every dollar will be matched up to $2500. In just two days, we have already raised $1200. Thank you for your generosity and support for our students.

Have a wonderful summer and see you at the Fair!

Norah Rendell
Executive Artistic Director
Center for Irish Music

*CIM students: The " students " webpage is updated on a weekly basis. We request that current students bookmark this page and check in regularly to find out about upcoming dates, deadlines, events and student-related announcements. Thank you!
Help Put Minnesota on the Map!
Help our students deepen their connections with the global Irish music community with a tax-deductible contribution to the Center for Irish Music!

Your gift will help us provide financial aid for students to attend the Scoil Éigse summer school in Drogheda, present far-reaching events like Minnesota Irish Music Weekend, and provide year-round performance opportunities that connect young players to the lively social context of Irish music.

Better yet, 100% of your gift will be matched by our Board of Directors Challenge Fund and Tim and Kim Scanlan!
Late-Start Summer Classes and Camps
Summer term is in full swing, but it's not too late to register for lessons and classes here at the Center for Irish Music! These classes are starting soon and some need a few more people to run, so please register by July 7th.
Mon-Fri, July 15-19 | 9:00am-12:00pm | $159
Instructor: Danielle Enblom

Irish music is joyful and full of great rhythm and spirit! Come to the Center for Irish Music for this fun camp to learn songs, play games, listen to music and learn more about Irish instruments. We will put together a performance to share with families and friends on Friday at 11:30am. We need 3 more participants!
Mon-Fri, July 22-26 | 9:30am-1:30pm | $205
Instructors: Mary Vanorny, Norah Rendell, and more!

Calling ALL youth ensemble members and anyone who is interested in joining one in the future! This camp will include sessions, a new tune each day, guided listening, trad videos, and more sessions...! Bring your bag lunch and we'll take a jaunt over to Newell park (weather-permitting) around noon each day. We need 5 more participants!
Thursdays, July 11-August 15 | Instructor: Iain Dove Lempke| $63

We will get your child playing jigs, marches and polkas on the Irish whistle, a rewarding first Irish instrument, and a great fit for young musicians with small hands! Iain is an enthusiastic and encouraging instructor who will coach students to practice well at home. We need 2 more participants!
Tuesdays, July 9-August 13 | Instructor: Todd Menton | $96

Pub songs are raucous, tuneful, and above all, fun! But like the most intricate reel, you need skill and a concentrated approach to play and sing them well. Todd will teach the vocal techniques and rhythmic strategies needed to help you stand and deliver these wonderful ballads and drinking songs. We need 2 more participants!
Mondays, July 15-August 19 | Instructor: Dáithí Sproule | $80

We are lucky to have an abundance of old stories preserved in manuscripts dealing with Otherworld creatures and legendary kings, queens and heroes. In this class, Dáithí and students will read translations of the old myths and legends — these always give rise to fascinating and entertaining conversations, often with lessons for the present. This class is running, and there is room for more!
Join us at the Irish Fair of Minnesota, August 9-11
Each year in August, we celebrate all things Irish at the Irish Fair of Minnesota. We hope you will join us for a weekend full of family-friendly music, dance, crafts, sports, and fun with friends.

We are asking for your help in staffing our information booth to spread the word about the Center for Irish Music's classes and programs.


This is a wonderful way to meet fellow CIM students and families AND to share your enthusiasm for CIM with fair passers-by.

Plan on joining us all three days of the fair to hear great music from our ensembles and instructors - and to cheer them on! We will post a CIM performance schedule in our August newsletter. You can also view the complete schedule (when it is ready) on the Irish Fair's website.
Center for Irish Music Open House
Please join us on August 25th from 2-5 pm for our annual summer open house!

Meet our instructors and staff, take part in an instrument or class demo, register for fall classes, or join an informal session!

Watch the Open House page of our website for class demos and a complete schedule of the day!
Thank You for a Great Minnesota Irish Music Weekend!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 11th annual Minnesota Irish Music Weekend! We had a wonderful time sharing tunes, meeting new friends, and listening to world-class music. A special thank you to our volunteers, instructors, staff, and to master artists the Friel Sisters, Randal Bays, Pauline Conneely, Christian Stevens, and Brian Miller.

Mark your calendars for next year's event, happening June 11-14, 2020.
Upcoming CIM Student & Instructor Events
LOCAL EVENTS

FRIDAY, JULY 19 | 7:00 PM
The Frothy Band (Mary Vanorny, Tom Klein)

SUNDAY, JULY 21 | TBD
Sona (Mattie Ernst & Hannah Flowers)

THURSDAY, JULY 25
CIM Starling Ensemble, O'Shea Irish Dance, The Langer's Ball and Brian Boru Pipe Band at the Saint Paul Saints Irish Night. CIM ensembles will be busking at the gates.

SATURDAY, AUG. 3 | 1:00-4:00 PM
CIM Ensemble (TBA)

THURSDAY, AUG. 8 | 6:00-8:00 PM
Tom Klein (with the Bellows Brothers, Sister Nyck & Friends)

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, AUG. 9-11
CIM Ensembles & Instructors
SUNDAY, AUG. 25 | 2:00-5:00 PM
Center for Irish Music Open House


OUT-OF-TOWN EVENTS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10 | 8:00 PM
Tom Klein

THURSDAY, JULY 18 | 7:30
Charlie Heymann (with Ann Heymann)

SUNDAY, JULY 21
Charlie Heymann (with Ann Heymann)




This is not an exhaustive listing of all events within the Twin Cities Irish community. For more listings, please visit the  IMDA Event Calendar , and the  Celtic Junction Arts Center .

We have a new mailing address!
The Center for Irish Music has a new mailing address, which now includes a suite number. Our updated address is: 836 Prior Avenue North, Suite 400, St. Paul, MN 55104
Support 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!
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.