World-Renowned Instructors Come to Milwaukee to Offer

If you've ever wanted to learn more about Irish music, dance, song, arts, history, language and culture – this is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. To help celebrate the 30th anniversary of Milwaukee Irish Fest, a talented and engaging group of instructors will pass along their knowledge to those who enroll in the 2010 Milwaukee Irish Fest Summer School at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). This year’s school, which is traditionally held the week prior to Milwaukee Irish Fest, is scheduled for August 16-20, 2010. For additional information, including a complete list of courses, please visit www.irishfest.com or call 262-367-2649.

“Our annual Summer School is the perfect complement to the festival,” said Jane Walrath, Director of the Milwaukee Irish Fest Summer School. “Our faculty roster features many talented instructors from around the world. Plus, we always strive to add new, exciting courses and this year is no different. It’s a unique opportunity to receive one-on-one lessons from world-renowned instructors.”

New additions to this year’s schedule include classes in bouzouki (similar to a mandolin) and concertina (similar to an accordion), a Highland pipe workshop with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers as well as a clog dancing-Ulster style class. For those that always wanted to become a song writer, be certain to enroll in Robbie O’Connell’s class.

The ‘Friday Sampler’ class on August 20 will focus on a wide variety of topics and experiences, including an overview of how Stormont – the Northern Ireland Parliament – functions; as well as an introduction to the Irish language; a look at the music of Northern Ireland; and interactive sessions on Bodhran, Clogging Ulster Style, tin whistle and straw weaving. The ‘Children’s Sampler’ on August 20 will feature Straw Weaving, Stories about Leprechauns, and a music concert for kids by world-renowned singer-songwriter, Tommy Sands.

The evening classes will also cover numerous fun and enlightening topics. On Monday, August 16, there will be a CD launch and presentation of the missing O’Neill cylinders, donated by the Dunn Family. On Tuesday, August 17, class attendees can look back on the past 30 years of Irish Fest with festival founder Ed Ward. Finally, the songs and stories of Northern Ireland will be presented during the evening of August 18. This session will be led by popular musicians Tom Sweeney, Tommy Sands and Len Graham.

Further classes in line with the festival’s Northern Ireland Showcase include an introduction to the life and work of C.S. Lewis by Sandy Smith, and Tommy Sands discussion on the role of the artist in the peace process in Northern Ireland, Tuesday, August 17 – Thursday, August 19.

Additional highlights for 2010 include: On Wednesday, August 18, Tom Sweeney will discuss the Green Fields of Canada while on Thursday, August 19, Sweeney will talk about the Makem Legacy. Len Graham will teach a Sean Nós (old style Irish song) class in the Northern tradition and Mick Moloney will teach classes on the Irish influence on the American music scene with a special class on the Irish/Jewish connection.

A great line-up of music instructors are all conducting three days worth of classes. The classes include the Grammy nominated Liz Carroll and Daire Bracken (fiddle); Joanie Madden (tin whistle); Paul Marshall (bodhran); Mick Broderick (bouzouki); Aogan Lynch (concertina); Dave Curley and John Doyle (guitar) and Eamonn DeBarra (flute).

For anyone interested in arts and crafts, there are classes in advanced Aran knitting and beginning Aran crochet (Rosaleen Hegarty), Sugan weaving for furniture and wood carving (Grant Taylor) and calligraphy (Linda Lubner). For those interested in dance, Tony Ryan is teaching a Set Dance class, and Brian O’Cuinneagain leads a Sean Nós dance session. Irish social dances are taught by Gail McElroy.