Workshops run all day Saturday and Sunday with break in the afternoon for tea and treats. Lunch both days is on your own.

While we do require registration for the weekend overall, you do not need to register for individual classes. Workshops are open to all comers - just pick what sounds fun and interesting. Beginners are always welcome, even if you only watch!

We offer four workshop slots each day. Each workshop slot offers at least one class in each of our program areas:
- Sean-nós and traditional singing
- Sean-nós and traditional dancing
- Irish language
- Traditional instrumental music, both performance techniques and tunes
- Irish culture, including art, storytelling, and cooking

Workshop Schedule

Our workshop titles and instructors are listed below. You may take any class you're interested in and don't need to pre-select workshops. (Please be aware some classes, especially language workshops, build on previous class sessions.) If you have questions about specific offerings, please let us know and we'll get you the answers!

April 14, 2023

7-10 pm: Friday Night - Optional Social Event

Please feel free to join us on Friday evening, for an informal, no host Session at Traditions Cafe. Bring your instrument Traditions is located across from Heritage Park at 300 5th Avenue SW (on the corner of 5th and Water Street SW). Street parking is available and is free after 5 pm.

April 15, 2023

9:00 am - 9:30 am: Check-in - all attendees please come to the lobby to pick up your registration packet

9:30 am - 10:00 am: Welcome and Building Orientation

10:00 am - 11:15 am: Workshop 1
Gaeilge: Learning the Irish language with Eilís
Gaeilge Singing: Intro to Sean-nós Singing with Máire
Traditional Singing: Ballads with Geneviève
Dance: Intro to Sean-nós Dancing with Danielle
Music: Irish Tune Learning with Randal
Culture: Intro to the Bodhrán with Hanz (please bring your own instrument if possible - limited loaners available)

11:15 am - 12:30 pm: Workshop 2
Gaeilge: Continued Irish language with Eilís
Gaeilge Singing: Love Songs with Máire
Traditional Singing: Songs from Ulster with Brían
Dance: Continued Intro to Sean-nós Dancing with Danielle
Music: Irish Tune Learning with John
Culture: Film Screening "Cré na Cille" (will extend ~15 minutes into the lunch hour)

12:30 pm - 2:00 pm: Lunch on your own

2:00 pm - 3:15 pm: Workshop 3
Gaeilge: Bingo as Gaeilge with Sean
Gaeilge Singing: Songs from Connemara with Brían
Traditional Singing: Emigration Songs with Geneviève
Dance: Incorporating Steps and Rhythms from Other North Atlantic Dance Traditions Into Your Sean-Nós Practice with Danielle
Music: Irish Tune Learning with Hanz

3:15 pm - 3:45 pm: Tea and Treats - Lobby

3:45 pm - 5:00 pm: Workshop 4
Gaeilge: Continued Irish Language with Eilís
Gaeilge Singing: Songs of Conflict and War with Máire
Traditional Singing: "The One that Got Away" Songs with Geneviève
Dance: An Timeáil, the Cornerstone to Solid Timing and Dancing the Tune with Brían
Music: Learning to Play Irish Style with Randal
Culture: Irish Cooking with Sean

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Dinner on your own

7:00 pm - 9:15 pm: Concert - please enter concert hall from the mezzanine

9:30 pm - 11:00 pm: Optional no host Session at Traditions Cafe - see note above for location and menu notes

Concert
If you can't join us for the workshops, consider attending the concert only. The workshop instructors perform on Saturday evening, demonstrating in their respective areas of expertise. It is a wonderful opportunity to see and hear some of the best traditional dancing, music, singing, and storytelling around! The concert is held in the same location as the rest of the festival - the Communications Building at The Evergreen State College. The performance starts at 7:00.

April 16, 2023

9:30 am - 10:00 am: Check-in for Sunday-only attendees (no check-in needed for full weekend attendees)

10:00 am - 11:15 am: Workshop 5
Gaeilge: Continued Irish Language with Eilís
Gaeilge Singing: Macaronic Songs with Máire
Traditional Singing: Irish Ballads with Brían
Dance: Sean-Nós Steps for Musical Accompaniment with Danielle
Music: Irish Tune Learning with Hanz
Culture: The Celtic Calendar with Sean

11:15 am - 12:30 pm: Workshop 6
Gaeilge: Continued Irish Language with Eilís
Gaeilge Singing: Easy Sean-nós Songs with Máire
Traditional Singing: The Ghostly Lover with Geneviève
Dance: The Light Style and Buffoonery of Padraic Ó hOibicín with Brían
Music: Irish Tune Learning with Randal
Culture: Film Screening "Kings" (will extend ~15 minutes into the lunch hour)

12:30 pm - 2:00 pm: Lunch on your own

2:00 pm - 3:15 pm: Workshop 7
Gaeilge: Language Hunters with Brían
Gaeilge Singing: Seal Songs of Ireland and Scotland with Sean
Traditional Singing: Political Songs with Geneviève
Dance: Old Style Hornpipes from Cork and Kerry with Danielle
Music: Irish Tune Learning with John
Culture: Continuing Bodhrán with Hanz (please bring your own instrument if possible - limited loaners available)

3:15 pm - 3:45 pm: Tea and Treats - Lobby

3:45 pm - 5:00 pm: Workshop 8
Gaeilge: Continued Irish Language with Eilís
Gaeilge Singing: Songs in a Rustic Setting with Máire
Traditional Singing: Bring Your Party Piece (singing session) with Geneviève
Dance: Seminar: Iskwew Otipemiciwak - Mixed Blood Fiddle and Step Dance Traditions with Danielle
Music: Improving Rhythm and Ornamentation with Randal
Culture: Irish Hurling with the Tacoma Rangers Hurling Club

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Dinner on your own

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm: No host Session at Traditions Cafe

Date: April 15-16, 2023

Location:
The Evergreen State College,
2700 Evergreen Parkway NW,
Olympia, WA 98505.

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