Indianapolis Irish Arts Workshops (3-4:30 PM) and Ceili Night (7-9 pm)

Love Irish Culture? We’re excited to offer in-person workshops in the afternoon followed by an  interactive entertainment experience (in-person or Zoom) in the evening.  Come join the fun! Covid-19 vaccination is required.

Traditional Irish Workshops: 3:00 - 4:30 pm

Choose one of four workshops

1.  Dance with Celtic Motion

Celtic Motion Irish Dance Ensemble is an Indianapolis-based not-for-profit organization of adults dedicated to the enjoyment, perfection, and performance of traditional Irish step dancing with a progressive flair. ​Members are involved primarily for the enjoyment and love of the dance with the goal of improving their technique to create a unified performing group able to share the enjoyment of Irish step with the community.

 2.  Language with Brenda Sutton

Brenda Sinclair Sutton is an award-winning singer/songwriter who plays in many bands including the traditional Irish trio Alair. She teaches bodhrán and beginning and intermediate Irish language for Irish Arts Academy of Indianapolis. Brenda fell in love with the Irish language in the early 1980s when she found Irish lyrics printed on the back of a Chieftans album. That sent her plummeting down the rabbit hole of all things Irish, but especially the frame drum and the language. Both provide a window into the Irish culture and imagination. Not content to study modern Irish, she’s now delving into Middle and Old Irish, as well as the language’s connection with Scots Gaelic. Come play with Irish and learn some basic conversational skills.

3.  History of American/Irish music with Ed Delaney 

Ed started playing Irish and Old Time American music in high school during the (great Folk Scare of the) 1970’s. He first learned to play the banjo, but shortly fell in love with the concertina.  He has attended many sessions and festivals throughout the nation over the years. Upon moving to Indiana, he joined the Full Moon Country Dance Orchestra in Oxford Ohio and played regular dances for over 10 years, followed by years of playing contra dances with the 10th Street Regulars in Richmond Indiana. He currently hosts the weekly Irish session at the Brockway Pub in Carmel IN, and makes up the entire squeezebox section of the Indianapolis Céilí Band.

 4. Learn Tunes with Dave Bagdade

Participants should bring their own musical instrument.

Dave Bagdade is an award-winning mandolin player and an experienced educator, having performed and taught at workshops all over the US and Canada.  He began playing Irish music after hearing The Chieftains at the age of 16, and he has been a member of the Murphy Roche Irish Music Club for more than a decade.  He is a three-time gold medalist at the Midwest Fleadh Cheoil, and he has competed at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÃireann in Ireland.  In addition to performing regularly as a solo artist and with The Cousin Brothers and the New Trad Ramblers, Dave teaches mandolin, guitar and tenor banjo at the beginning and intermediate levels.   Dave is the host and producer of the Kitchen Party Ceilidh, a radio program based in Indianapolis.

Ceili Night: 7-9 pm (doors at 6:30)

A Traditional Ceili (pronounced Kay-lee) is a social gathering with traditional music, dancing, singing and storytelling.  You can expect all this, and more, brought to you by members and instructors of Indianapolis Irish Arts.

We look forward to seeing you for a night of Irish style entertainment, optional audience participation, all around good cheer, and maybe a few surprises!

Indianapolis Irish Arts is a branch of the global organization Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, founded in Ireland in 1951. The Indianapolis branch was formed in 2019. Comhaltas’ main objective is the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music. This is done in many ways, such as: formal classes, informal music sessions, sponsoring ceili’s, touring group performances, local, regional, and international competitions, archiving thousands of recordings and videos, publishing books, music and tutorials.

Saturday, February 18, 2023

Traditional Irish Workshops: 3 - 4:30 pm

Ceili Night: 7 - 9 pm