Some of the world's finest traditional Irish musicians will gather in Baltimore to teach workshops, perform and lead sessions. The Trad Fest is back and bigger than ever in 2025!

Schedule of Events:

Thursday, April 3, 2025

7:00 pm: Welcome Ceili with Session to follow

Where: Mobtown Ballroom, 20 W N Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21201

We're excited to start the weekend with a ceili and a few tunes!  Join us for our 2025 welcome ceili from 7-10pm called by Megan Downes with music provided by Billy McComiskey, Laura Byrne, Donna Long, Joanna Clare, and YOU! Band is pick-up and musicians are welcome to sit and play.  No experience necessary, dances will be taught.

?There will be a session to follow, and all musicians present are invited to sit and play a few tunes at Mobtown Ballroom.  Some of our Trad Fest instructors will be present, so this is a great time to meet them and get a tune.  Weekend participants can pick up their packets during the dance or at the session.

Refreshments offered for sale.

Tickets: $20 for single tickets.  Included in the weekend pass

Friday, April 4, 2025

7:30 pm: Irish Music Masters Concert at The Creative Alliance with Trian

Where: Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave., Baltimore, MD

What: A concert of Irish music masters featuring Trian (Liz Carroll, Billy McComiskey, and Daithi Sproule) as well as trad fest staff, including Steph Geremia (flute), Brendan Dolan (piano), Sarah Collins (fiddle), Eamon Sefton (guitar), Jim Eagan (fiddle), Eliot Grasso (pipes), Sean Earnest (guitar), The Mount Clare Connection (Peter Brice, Joanna Clare, and Richard Osban), Megan Downes (dance), and Catherine Marafino Brice (dance).

Tickets: $35 for single tickets.  Included in the weekend pass

Saturday, April 5, 2025

9:30 am - 3:30 pm: Music and Dance Workshops

Where: ACCE, 1300 W 36th St, Baltimore, MD 21211

09:00 am: Registration for Music and Dance Workshops
09:30 am: Orientation and Warm Up for Music and Dance Workshops
10:00 am - 3:30 pm: Music and Dance Workshops

(Lunch break 12-1:30) A fantastic selection of gourmet sandwich lunch boxes plus beverage are available to purchase ahead with your registration. Handmade by Dipasquale's.

What: A fun and intensive small group class (described on the Workshops page) with some incredible teachers and world class performers, in many different instruments, as well as song and dance. This is a great opportunity to meet other musicians and learn from the masters! Saturday classes are designed to be an intensive immersion experience and are thus held simultaneously, and participants will spend four hours with one instructor of Irish music, however half days may be offered upon request. There will be an intermediate session during the lunch break. Classes available for beginners though advanced levels. Visit the Workshops for full list of classes and class descriptions.)

12:00 pm - 1:20 pm: Lunch Break Session. Free to workshop participants.
03:45 pm - 5:30 pm: Intermediate Session

Where: ACCE, 1300 W 36th St, Baltimore, MD 21211

What: An Intermediate level session. Free to workshop participants

7:30 pm: Irish Music Masters Concert at The Creative Alliance with Open the Door for Three

Where: Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave., Baltimore, MD

What: A concert of Irish music masters featuring Open the Door for Three (Liz Knowles, Kieran O'Hare, and Pat Broaders) as well as trad fest staff, including a showcase by The Reel Housewives (Liz Carroll, Liz Knowles, Rose Flanagan, Pauline Connelly, Kathleen Conneelly, Donna Long, Laura Byrne, Eimear Arkins, and Eileen Gannon), Sean McComiskey, Catriona Fee, Josh Dukes, Meghan Mette, and Patrick Winch.

Tickets: $35 for single tickets.  Included in the weekend pass

Sunday, April 6, 2025

11:00 am - 1:00 pm: Brunch Session

Where: Frazier's on the Avenue, 919 W 36th St, Baltimore, MD, 21211

What: Enjoy a fabulous brunch on the Avenue, a shopping street at the heart of Baltimore's Hampden neighborhood.  Classes will take place on this street, all at businesses within walking distance of each other.  Frazier's opens at 9, so guest can also arrive early. Brunch available for purchase. Free and open to all - come play, dance or listen.

1:15 pm - 5:30 pm: SEMINARS and REPERTOIRE CLASSES ON THE AVENUE

$20 per class, $50 for all three slots (Included in the Full Weekend Package)

1:15 pm - 2:30 pm: (Choose one)

Workshop: Social Dance with Megan Downes (price includes yourself and a partner)
Workshop: An Introduction to Irish Music on the Tin Whistle with Cushla Srour
Repertoire Class: Baltimore Repertoire Building

2:40 pm - 3:55 pm: (Choose one)

Workshop: Social Dance with Megan Downes (price includes yourself and a partner)
Workshop: Youth Fiddle Class with Joanna Clare
Seminar: Health and Wellness for Musicians and Dancers with Sean McComiskey PT, DPT

4:05 pm - 5:20 pm: (Choose one)

Repertoire Class: Song Share with Daithi Sproule, Eimear Arkins, and staff
Instructor Panel TBA
Slow Session

5:30 pm: Farewell Sessions

Session at BLUEBIRD GREEN ROOM 3600 Hickory Ave

Put what you've learned to work and play some tunes at the Bluebird Green Room or sing some songs in the Bluebird Pub with staff and guest musicians.  Free and open to all - come play, dance or listen.

Date:
April 3 - 6, 2025

Location:
Various Venues in Baltimore, MD 21224

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