CelticMKE Center | Home of Milwaukee Irish Fest

<ul><li>Fall 2026 Dates: Wednesdays starting September 30, 2026 through November 18, 2026.</li><li>Time: 7:00pm to 8:00pm Central Time</li><li>Location: CelticMKE Center, 1532 N Wauwatosa Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53213</li><li>Cost: $25&nbsp;per class week plus $24 annual Irish Fest School of Music *Admin/Membership Fee for new students</li><li>Focus: The class is open to musicians and non-musicians: people who just want to sing.</li><li>Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced</li></ul>
Discover the soul of Irish ballad singing—from the parlor artistry of Count John McCormack to the rousing choruses of the Clancy Brothers. Whether you love spirited pub anthems, haunting laments, or sea shanties, this 8-week class explores classic Irish ballads through the history that shaped them and the vocal traditions that keep them alive. The craic will be mighty!
Open to everyone who loves Irish song—from shower singers and chorus belters to seasoned vocalists, as well as anyone who simply wants to listen and learn. No prior vocal training or note-reading skills are required; songs will be taught with an emphasis on listening, lyric sheets, and traditional phrasing.
For each featured ballad, we will break down:
<ul><li>The Story &amp; Setting: The real-life history, politics, and folklore of old Ireland embedded in the lyrics.</li><li>Style &amp; Interpretation: Traditional phrasing, subtle ornamentation, dialect notes, and rhythm.</li><li>Song Delivery: Finding your own voice within the tradition and carrying the story with confidence.</li></ul>
The 8-week class will be structured by 8 ballad styles:
<ul><li>Week 1 - Pub Songs</li><li>Week 2 - Murder Ballads</li><li>Week 3 - Sea Shanties</li><li>Week 4 - Love Songs</li><li>Week 5 - Rebel Songs</li><li>Week 6 - 18th/19th Century Ballads</li><li>Week 7 - Irish American Songs</li><li>Week 8 - Emigration Songs&nbsp;</li></ul>
Note: Cancelation and Absence policy for group classes applies (<a href="https://irishfestschoolofmusic.com/Policies.htm" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://irishfestschoolofmusic.com/Policies.htm</a>).
*Note: IFSM Admin/Membership fee helps us to offset administrative costs of the School of Music and gives students two complimentary Milwaukee Irish Fest tickets as well as discounts on select Milwaukee Irish Fest Summer School classes each year.
<h2>About Jim McVeigh</h2>
Jim McVeigh is from Belfast, Northern Ireland and has played extensively throughout Ireland and the British Isles. His background is in Irish traditional music playing Guitar and Bodhran with occasional outbursts of singing. Since coming to the United States in 1993 he has played in the Irish music scene throughout the Midwest and beyond.

Local Event: Irish Ballad Sing and Play Class (first night of class)

Milwaukee County

Wauwatosa

Wisconsin

Irish Ballad Sing and Play Class (first night...

Fall 2026 Dates: Wednesdays starting September 30, 2026 through November 18, 2026.Time: 7:00pm to 8:00pm Central TimeLocation:...

Irish Ballad Sing and Play Class (first night of class)

<ul><li>Dates: Saturdays: October 10, 17, 24 &amp; November 7, 2026 (No class October 31)</li><li>Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM</li><li>Ages: 9 to 12</li><li>Level: Beginner / Exploratory (Perfect for absolute beginners or students continuing from Celtic Kids Camp)</li><li>Tuition: $100 ($25/class) + $24 IFSM annual registration fee</li></ul>
Discover the heartbeat of Irish music with instructor <a href="https://irishfestschoolofmusic.com/Faculty/Brendan-Sanchez-.htm" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Brendan Sanchez</a>!
Great for beginners and <a href="https://irishfestsummerschool.com/Classes/Childrens.htm" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Celtic Kids Camp</a> alumni alike! Whether your child loved drumming at the <a href="https://irishfestsummerschool.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Irish Fest Summer School</a> or is picking up a tipper for the very first time, this four-week class builds confidence, rhythm, and core playing technique in a fun, supportive group setting.
Tailored specifically for ages 9 to 12, this course blends foundational technique with fun, interactive rhythm exercises, and playing along with tunes and friends. Students will learn:
<ul><li>Proper drum posture and left-hand placement for tone control</li><li>Tipper (beater) grip and fluid striking motions</li><li>Foundational rhythmic patterns for traditional Irish jigs and reels</li><li>Timing, dynamics, and playing along with traditional tunes</li></ul>
By the end of the four weeks, students will have the core skills and confidence to keep practicing and playing along to Irish music!
<h2>Instruments &amp; Equipment</h2>
<ul><li>In-Class Use: Bodhráns and tippers are provided free of charge during each class session.</li><li>At-Home Practice Rental: Want to practice at home between classes? Students may rent a bodhrán and tipper set to take home for a flat fee of $10 for the entire 4-class session. &nbsp;</li></ul>
<h2>Financial Aid</h2>
Financial aid is available to help offset the cost of tuition and fees. For eligibility guidelines and application details, please visit our <a href="https://irishfestschoolofmusic.com/Policies/Financial-Aid.htm?utm_source=gemini" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Financial Aid Page</a>.

Local Event: Beginner Bodhrán (Irish Frame Drum) for Kids (Ages 9-12) (first day of class)

Beginner Bodhrán (Irish Frame Drum) for Kids...

Dates: Saturdays: October 10, 17, 24 & November 7, 2026 (No class October 31)Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AMAges: 9 to 12Level:...

Beginner Bodhrán (Irish Frame Drum) for Kids (Ages 9-12) (first day of class)

Get your dancing shoes ready! Join us at the CelticMKE Center in the Village of Wauwatosa for our monthly céilí dance—an evening of lively Irish music, easy-to-learn dances, and plenty of fun for all ages. No experience needed! Come solo, bring a partner, or gather friends for a great night out.&nbsp;Don't worry if you're totally new to céilí dancing! Starting at 6:45pm, our callers will teach the basic steps, swings, jigs steps and other fundamentals to get you comfortable when the dancing begins at 7pm.&nbsp;
🎶 Live Music:&nbsp;Frogwater 
🕺 Dance Caller:&nbsp;Gary Alexander
📅 Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026 
⏰ Doors open: 6:30pm | Beginning Instruction: 6:45pm |&nbsp;Céilí Starts: 7:00pm 
📍 Location: CelticMKE Center, Wauwatosa
💲 Admission (at the door):
<ul>
<li>
$10 Adults 
</li>
<li>
$5 Students (13–18 with ID) 
</li>
<li>
Kids 12 &amp; under FREE 
</li>
</ul>
Snacks &amp; non-alcoholic drinks available. Free street and lot parking nearby (lot behind building reserved for limited mobility).
👉 Full céilí schedule and parking updates: <a data-start="1000" data-end="1051" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://celticmke.com/ceilis">celticmke.com/ceilis</a> 
Presented by the Milwaukee Irish Fest School of Music – learn more at <a data-start="1128" data-end="1191" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://irishfestschoolofmusic.com">irishfestschoolofmusic.com</a>.

Local Event: Irish Céilí at CelticMKE

Irish Céilí at CelticMKE

Get your dancing shoes ready! Join us at the CelticMKE Center in the Village of Wauwatosa for our monthly céilí dance—an...

Jeff Ksiazek

Milwaukee Metropolitan Area

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Whitefish Bay

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Waukesha County Expo Center

THIS IS A 2-DAY SHOW: FRIDAY, Oct. 2, 10-6 &amp; SATURDAY, Oct. 3, 10-4
·61 Quality Dealers from 10 states.&nbsp; ·Like no other antiques show in Wisconsin! 

<ul>
 <li>Find authentic, affordable, time-tested, human-friendly antiques here.</li>
 <li>Waukesha County Expo Center, 1000 Northview Rd, Waukesha, WI 53188</li>
 <li>Special Exhibit: “How Sweet It Is!”</li>
 <li>Admission $8, good both days. $1 Ticket Discount with this ad or at: <a href="https://www.WisconsinAntiquesDealers.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.WisconsinAntiquesDealers.com</a> .</li>
 <li>A non-profit organization, proceeds benefit: Grants for historical preservation within Wisconsin and the Friends of the Wisconsin Historical Society. </li>
 <li>Free parking.</li>
 <li>Good food. Friday night fish fry!</li>
 <li>ATM on premises. </li>
</ul>

Local Event: 75th Fall Wisconsin Antiques Dealers Assn. Show & Sale

Waukesha

75th Fall Wisconsin Antiques Dealers Assn. Show...

THIS IS A 2-DAY SHOW: FRIDAY, Oct. 2, 10-6 & SATURDAY, Oct. 3, 10-4
·61 Quality Dealers from 10 states.  ·Like no other...

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Posting Activity

Irish Ballad Sing and Play Class (first night of class)

SEP

30

7:00 PM

CelticMKE Center | Home of Milwaukee Irish Fest, 1532 N Wauwatosa Ave, Wauwatosa, WI

Beginner Bodhrán (Irish Frame Drum) for Kids (Ages 9-12) (first day of class)

OCT

10

9:00 AM

CelticMKE Center | Home of Milwaukee Irish Fest, 1532 N Wauwatosa Ave, Wauwatosa, WI

Irish Céilí at CelticMKE

OCT

10

7:00 PM

CelticMKE Center | Home of Milwaukee Irish Fest, 1532 N Wauwatosa Ave, Wauwatosa, WI

75th Fall Wisconsin Antiques Dealers Assn. Show & Sale