Happy New Year to CIM friends and supporters!

In December, the Center for Irish Music presented seven recitals, concerts and open mics full of joyful music and song featuring more than 150 students of all ages. The photo above shows the musicians who performed at the first youth recital with their instructors.

This year has begun with the difficult decision to move to online lessons and classes for the first couple of weeks of January. Nonetheless, our unstoppable passion for the music continues as we make plans for brighter days ahead including:

  • Spring term, starting January 31st
  • Éigse CIM, A Gaela Event on February 26th
  • The Midwest Fleadh in St. Louis on the weekend of May 13-15, and
  • Minnesota Irish Music Weekend, June 9-12

Your support for the Center for Irish Music through your involvement as a student, donor, volunteer, or fan gives us the energy to keep moving forward during these challenging times. We appreciate you!

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!
SPRING TERM REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Register now for Spring Term at the Center for Irish Music! We are offering group classes and private lessons both virtually and in person. Please email Lily Gaetgaeow, Registration Coordinator, with questions or for more information on private lessons.
JOIN US FOR ÉIGSE CIM, A GAELA EVENT
The Center for Irish Music and emcee Máirtín de Cógáin invite you to dress up in your finest and join us for a Éigse CIM, a Gaela Event! Éigse [eg-shuh] is an Irish word used for festivals celebrating traditional Irish arts and culture. It is in this spirit that we gather for an evening to raise funds for The Center for Irish Music, Minnesota's only traditional Irish music school, dedicated to handing down the tradition.

This evening event includes a traditional plated dinner*, Celtic-art themed silent auction and a stellar concert by Center for Irish Music instructors. Those joining us remotely will enjoy a virtual silent auction and the Éigse CIM concert, professionally broadcast and streaming live online.

*While Éigse is definitely happening on February 26th, our board and staff are considering options for the in-person aspects of the event. The timing of the Omicron surge is presenting significant logistical, event-planning challenges. This week, we are asking you to SAVE THE DATE and stay tuned for an update, coming soon.
Donate to Our Silent Auction!

Each year, the Éigse silent auction features a wide assortment of Irish goods, jewelry, artwork, ceramics, gift certificates, and more. Please consider donating an item to help make this year's auction a success! Visit our silent auction page for more information, or donate an item now by filling out our online donation form!
Sponsorship Opportunities

Become an Éigse CIM sponsor and support the Twin Cities' vibrant arts scene while promoting your business to our dedicated community. We welcome sponsorships in any amount. Contact Norah Rendell for additional details or to sponsor the event.
Donate to Our WOW Raffle!

Our Wall of Whiskey, Wine, and Winter Ale is one of the most eye-catching displays at Éigse. To donate a bottle (or two!) to the raffle, visit our WOW Raffle Page, download a hard copy of our donation form, and submit it with your donation to the CIM office.
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CEILI BAND DRUMMERS NEEDED
The Center for Irish Music is looking for 2 percussionists (under age 18 and 15, as of 1/1/22) to play with our céilí bands at the Midwest Fleadh, and possibly the All-Ireland Fleadh.

Ceili band drumming uses a three-piece kit (snare, wood block and bass drum with foot pedal) to play rolls, maintain a steady downbeat for the melody instruments, and switch to the wood block for planned 8-bar sections of each piece. For more detailed information, please contact U15 Ceili Band Director Mary Vanorny or call 651-815-0083.

Commitment: 6 Friday evening (5pm-6:30pm) rehearsals (March 25 - May 6) & attendance at the Midwest Fleadh Cheoil music competition in St. Louis, MO on the weekend of May 14th. Céilí band rehearsals are free of charge for percussionists, as long as they can travel to St. Louis with a parent for the competition. Some private lessons will be required (could possibly be with existing percussion teacher).

Auditions/Interviews will be on Friday, January 14th from 5-7pm at the Center for Irish Music.
CD RELEASE: STAR OF THE NORTH
Congratulations to Ian McKenna, Joe DeGeorgeo and Brian Miller on the release of their gorgeous new album, "Star of the North".

Ian McKenna grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota and plays C#/D button accordion. Joe De Georgeo grew up in Minneapolis, MN and plays fiddle. They started playing together through the Center for Irish Music. They are joined here by Brian Miller on bouzouki and guitar.

"Star of the North" was recorded at Hideaway Studios, engineered, mixed and mastered by Danny Diamond.

Available to stream and download now on Bandcamp. Support these young artists by purchasing their album and spreading the word!
CIM 2020-21 ANNUAL REPORT
The Center for Irish Music's 2020-21 Annual Report is now available online!

We hope you'll take a few moments to sit down, enjoy a cup of Barry's, and read all about the amazing things you made happen with your generous support last year.

This easy-to-share PDF includes photos and stories, as well as a full list of our wonderful donors and volunteers. We recommend viewing in full screen mode on a desktop or tablet.
UPCOMING EVENTS & IMPORTANT DATES
MONDAY, JANUARY 3
CIM Fall Term classes & lessons resume for 4 weeks. ALL ONLINE until 1/16.

MONDAY, JANUARY 10
Spring term registration deadline for returning students to keep lesson times.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 15
Spring Term financial aid deadline. Registration Deadline for Group Classes & Family Discount.

MONDAY, JANUARY 17
CIM Closed for MLK Day
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19 | 7:00 PM
Rince na Chroi Irish Dancers – From the Stage to Your Heart accompanied by The Two Tap Trio (Mary Vanorny, Norah Rendell, Brian Miller) w/ Eric Carlson

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21 | 9:00 PM
The New Trad Band (Brian Miller, Patrick Harison, AJ Srubas, Rina Rossi, Danielle Enblom) at the Dubliner Pub

MONDAY, JANUARY 31
First day of Spring Term at the CIM

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26 | 5:00-10:00 PM
This is not an exhaustive listing of all events in the Twin Cities Irish community. For more listings, visit the IMDA Event Calendar and the Celtic Junction Arts Center.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING 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.