Workshops & Schedule

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!

Emma O’Sullivan teaches a dance class (photo by Angeline LeLeux)

2024 Workshop schedule

Our workshop titles 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!

All class titles subject to change.

Friday night - optional event

This year, we won’t be hosting a social event on Friday evening. Instead, festival attendees have the option to attend a performance by Gráinne Hambly, a talented Irish harp player from County Mayo, and Randal Bays. They will be performing at Olympia’s Coach House, located at 211 21st Avenue SW, Olympia. (This is approximately one mile from the Red Lion hotel in downtown.)

The Session on Sunday evening will also be held at this location. WE WILL NOT BE OFFERING A SESSION ON SATURDAY AFTER THE CONCERT.

  Saturday Schedule
  
    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

Singing: Sean-nós Love Songs

Dance: Intro to Sean-nós Dancing

Music: Tunes with John

    11:15 am - 12:30 pm
    Workshop 2

    Gaeilge: Continued Irish language

Singing: Songs in Praise of Place & People

Dance: Jig Steps in Sean-nós Dancing

Music: Polkas from Sliabh Luachra

  12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
  Lunch on your own
  
  2:00 pm - 3:15 pm
  Workshop 3

    Gaeilge: Bingo as Gaeilge

Singing: Sean-nós Laments

Dance: Kitchen Dances

Music: Slides from Sliabh Luachra

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

  3:45 pm - 5:00 pm
  Workshop 4

    Gaeilge: Continued Irish Language

Singing: Lighthearted Sean-nós Songs

Dance:  Finding Your Own Steps

Music: Sliabh Luachra Versions of Tunes You Might Know

  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 Schedule
  
    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

Singing: More Sean-nós Laments

Dance: Sean-nós Jig Steps

Music: Tunes with John

    11:15 am - 12:30 pm
  Workshop 6

    Gaeilge: Continued Irish Language

Singing: More Sean-nós Songs of Praise

Dance: An Timeáil, the Cornerstone to Solid Timing and Dancing the Tune

Music: Airs from Sliabh Luachra

    12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
    Lunch on your own    
    
  2:00 pm - 3:15 pm
  Workshop 7

    Gaeilge: Irish Place Names

Singing: The Amazing Variety of Irish Singing Traditions (with David Ingerson)

Dance: Advanced Sean-nós Reel Steps

Music: Reels from Sliabh Luachra

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

  3:45 pm - 5:00 pm
Workshop 8

    Gaeilge: Continued Irish Language

Singing: More Sean-nós Love Songs

Dance: Sean-nós Chonamara 

Music: Listening Lab: Padraig O’Keeffe, Denis Murphy, & Julia Clifford
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
  Dinner on your own
  6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
  No-host Session

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.