The Sean-nós Northwest Traditional Irish Weekend celebrates and promotes three aspects of traditional Irish culture: sean-nós singing, sean-nós dancing, and the Irish language. These cultural treasures are incredibly rare to find anywhere outside of Ireland.

Workshops and Schedule:

Saturday, April 20, 2024

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
Gaeilge Singing: Intro to Sean-nós Singing
Dance: Intro to Sean-nós Dancing

11:15 am - 12:30 pm: Workshop 2
Gaeilge: Continued Irish language
Dance: Continued Intro to Sean-nós Dancing

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

2:00 pm - 3:15 pm: Workshop 3
Gaeilge: Bingo as Gaeilge
Dance: Jig Steps in Sean-nós Dancing

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

3:45 pm - 5:00 pm: Workshop 4
Gaeilge: Continued Irish Language
Dance: Finding Your Own Steps

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

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

Sunday, April 21, 2024

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
Dance: More Sean-nós Jig Steps

11:15 am - 12:30 pm: Workshop 6
Gaeilge: Continued Irish Language
Dance: An Timeáil, the Cornerstone to Solid Timing and Dancing the Tune

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

2:00 pm - 3:15 pm: Workshop 7
Gaeilge: Irish Place Names
Dance: Advanced Sean-nós Reel Steps

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

3:45 pm - 5:00 pm: Workshop 8
Gaeilge: Continued Irish Language
Dance: Sean-nós Chonamara

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

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm: No-host Session

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

There is at least one class in each workshop slot that is appropriate for beginners. Come learn to dance a jig, sing a song, or say a bit in Irish!

Date: April 20-21, 2024

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

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