
SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, APRIL 9
7pm // Welcome Ceili with Session to follow
Where: Mobtown Ballroom, 30 W North Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21201
What: We're excited to start the weekend with a ceili and a few tunes! Join us for our 2026 welcome ceili from 7-10pm called by Megan Downes with music provided by Jessica Zito and Kate Knudsvig (fiddle), Seamus Noonan (flute), Matt Mulqueen (piano), Simon Lace (drums) 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 10
5:30-6:30pm // Panel on Community Memory
Where: Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave., Baltimore, MD
What: Join us before our Friday night concert for a panel discussion about community memory presented in collaboration with the Smithsonian as part of their Beyond 250 programming! Panel will be moderated by Cliff Murphy, and panelists will include Adam Engelhardt, Richard Hearn, Donna Long, Brad Kolodner, and Laura Byrne.
Tickets: Free and open to the public!
7:30pm // Irish Music Masters Concert
Where: Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave., Baltimore, MD
What: A concert of Irish music masters featuring Matt Molloy and John Carty and our Trad Fest instructors, including Kathleen and Pauline Conneely, Rose Flanagan, Marty Frye, Sarah Collins, Dave McKindley-Ward, Matt Mulqueen, Sean Earnest, Catherine O'Kelly, Jim Eagan, Laura Byrne, Catriona Fee, Patrick Winch Megan Downes, and Catherine Brice
Tickets: $35 for single tickets. Included in the weekend pass
10PM-12midnight: Post-Concert Welcome Session at the Creative Alliance Marquee Lounge
Session hosts TBA!
SATURDAY, APRIL 11
9:30 am - 3:30 pm Music and Dance Workshops
Where: ACCE, 1300 W 36th St, Baltimore, MD 21211
9:00 am // Registration for Music and Dance Workshops
9:30 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! 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.
See Register page for fees, and to sign up. Advanced registration strongly encouraged.
12:20-1:20 Lunch Break Session. Free to workshop participants.
3:45-5:15pm/ Intermediate Session
Where: ACCE, 1300 W 36th St, Baltimore, MD 21211
What: An Intermediate level session. Free to workshop participants
SATURDAY, APRIL 11 (cont.)
7:30pm // Irish Music Masters Concert at The Creative Alliance
Where: Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave., Baltimore, MD
What: A concert of Irish music masters featuring Seán Gavin and Caoimhín Ó Fearghail and our Trad Fest instructors, including Billy McComiskey, Patrick Ourceau, Dylan Foley, Josh Dukes, Sean McComiskey, Donna Long, Joanna Clare, Laura Byrne, Richard Hearn, David McKindley-Ward, Jonathon Srour, Claire Shirey, and Frances Cunningham
Tickets: $35 for single tickets. Included in the weekend pass
10PM-12midnight: Post-Concert Session at the Creative Alliance Marquee Lounge
Session Hosts TBA!
SUNDAY, APRIL 12
11:00am-1:00pm // 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. Led by: Jim Eagan and staff TBA
Free and open to the public
1:00-5:30pm // SEMINARS & REPERTOIRE CLASSES ON THE AVENUE
$20 per class at the door, $50 for all three slots in advance (Included in the Full Weekend Package)
Zissimo's Lou Costello Room
-
1-2pm A Tribute to Brendan Mulvihill with Donna Long, Billy McComiskey, Jimmy Eagan, Brendan Callahan
-
2:15-3pm Ensemble Class performances Free and open to the public
-
3-4pm Song Repertoire Workshop with David McKindley-Ward and Catherine O'Kelly
-
4-5:15pm Traditional Song Circle with David McKindley-Ward and Catherine O'Kelly
St. Luke's Church on the Avenue (Upstairs Studio)
-
1-2:30pm Social Dance with Megan Downes
-
3:45-4:15pm Social Dance with Megan Downes
The Green Room
-
2-2:50pm Fiddle & Banjo Faculty Recital (John Carty, Patrick Ourceau, Rose Flanagan, Dylan Foley, Pauline Conneely, Sarah Collins, Frances Cunningham, Joanna Clare, and Patrick Winch)
-
3-3:50pm Reeds Faculty Recital (Billy McComiskey, Sean McComiskey, Catrióna Fee, Seán Gavin, and Caoimhín Ó Fearghail, Claire Shirey)
-
4-4:50pm Flutes & Whistle Faculty Recital (Matt Molloy, Seán Gavin, Kathleen Conneely, Laura Byrne, and Jonathan Srour)
-
5-5:45pm Moderated Q&A with Matt Molloy
Whisky Pub (below the Green Room)
-
1:15-2pm Baltimore Repertoire Tune Teach with Joanna Clare
-
2:15--5pm Unhosted Open Session Space Free and open to the public
-
6pm - // Farewell Sessions
Session @ BLUEBIRD GREEN ROOM 3600 Hickory Ave
Put what you've learned to work and play some tunes at the Bluebird Green Room with staff and guest musicians. Free and open to all - come play, dance or listen.
Programming subject to change.
