H.A.R.P. Museum Kicks Off
Youth Lunch & Learn Series

Date: MULTIPLE - see links below for each class

Time: MULTIPLE - see links below for each class

Cost: FREE to children of all ethnicities aged 10-14 (lunch for students is included - advanced registration is required)

Location: H.A.R.P. Museum located on the second floor of the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley at 623 Columbia St., Utica

Register: https://bit.ly/3Ym1kBP 

Contact: Al Sisti (H.A.R.P. Museum Director) - (315) 733-4228 Ext. 5 or irishccmv.museum@gmail.com 

The H.A.R.P. Museum at the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley hosts a November to remember, introducing a “Youth Lunch and Learn” series, with free classes for young people in Irish dance, Irish fiddle, tin whistle, bodhran, and a workshop aimed at helping to build a family tree.

The slate of classes and teachers is as follows:

“Introduction to Irish Dance” - This four-hour class will be presented by the Butler-Sheehan Academy of Traditional Irish Dance on Saturday, November 2nd, from 10 AM-2:30 PM, and will teach students about the history and styles of traditional Irish dancing, with demonstrations and performances of many styles of Irish dance. Instructors will also be bringing a representative selection of dresses, dance shoes and wigs. At the conclusion of the class, students will be invited to participate in a dance specifically designed for them.

“Irish Fiddle Class” - Learn the basics of the fiddle, and how to play some simple tunes. Students can bring their own instrument, but additional instruments will be on hand. Mike Hoke is the instructor. Two identical two-hour classes are offered, at 10 AM on Nov. 9th and Nov. 16th. Each class is capped at 10 students.

“Tin Whistle Class" - Students will be taught the basics of reading music and how to play tunes on a tin whistle. Each student receives a tin whistle and an introductory book to bring home. Mike Carroll is the instructor. Two identical two-hour classes are offered, at noon on Nov. 9th and Nov. 30th. Each class is capped at 10 students.

“Bodhran (Irish drum) Class" - Students will be taught the basics of how to play the bodhran (Irish drum). Students can bring their own bodhran, but additional bodhrans will also be on hand. Sue Romero is the instructor. This class, taking place at 11 AM on Nov. 30th, is capped at 10 students.

“Family Stories, Genealogy and the History and Art of Storytelling” - Thanksgiving is all about family (and pie), sitting around the table, sharing stories from the “old days” and making new memories. Armed with the information and tools presented at this workshop, the students will come to the Thanksgiving dinner table primed for conversation, with questions for their aunts, uncles, and grandparents as they start to build their own family tree. The class, facilitated by Patty Foley, is at noon on Nov. 16th, and is capped at 20 students.

There is no charge for these classes, which is being offered to children of all ethnicities aged 10-14. As each class has limited seating, advance registration is required, at https://bit.ly/3Ym1kBP. Lunch will also be included for the students. Parents/guardians are welcome to attend any of the events (they won’t count against the cap, but will have to pay for their own lunch).

This youth programming series, aimed at introducing young people of our area to the history and culture of Ireland, is funded through the auspices of a Legislative Initiative Program grant, secured by Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, and is being administered out of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Upcoming classes in the series include “Ogham writing” – the ancient alphabet of Ireland; “Make-and-Take: Create a Christmas Angel,” a creative “Children Designing for Children” Challenge Workshop, and more. In an effort to make the workshops easily accessible, they will be held on Saturdays and/or school holidays.

See all of our upcoming cultural events!