Join us for a wonderful evening of memories and music. Bring a dessert to share!
The Irish Music and Dance Association’s 2019 “Cross-Cultural Challenge”
The Irish Music and Dance Association invites collaboration between Irish and Non-Irish performance groups in honor of St. Patrick's Day 2019
Immigration and diversity are topics that have been receiving an increasing amount of attention recently, not all of which has been positive or progressive. From the middle of the 19th century to the early 20th century, Irish immigrants frequently encountered prejudice and discrimination as they attempted to adapt to American culture and society. Now, all too often, their descendants are seeing other races and ethnicities being treated in a similarly inhospitable manner.
The IMDA believes that exposure to the music, dance and customs of ethnic groups other than one’s own can help bridge gaps, foster understanding and promote mutual respect. Earlier this year, the IMDA challengedIrish and non-Irish organizations alike to seek out and collaborate with one another in order to create a “performance piece” that could be presented on the Main Stage at the Landmark Center on March 17 and/or March 18. This “Cross-Cultural Challenge” actually resulted in two exciting performances – a joint dance presentation by Bollywood Dance Scene and O’Shea Irish Dance, and a musical presentation by Andale Juana (a Mexican folk trio, accompanied on flute by Norah Rendell, Executive Director of the St. Paul-based Center for Irish Music).
The IMDA is now initiating its second annual Cross-Cultural Challenge, in order to secure additional cross-cultural programming for its planned Landmark Center celebration on and around St. Patrick’s Day of next year (March 16 and/or 17, 2019). Full details regarding this competition (including requirements for the submission of proposals) are available on the Cross-Cultural Challenge tab.
IMDA Celebrates St. Patrick's Day!
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Become a Member of the Irish Music and Dance Association!
It's time to renew your membership in IMDA.
Become a “paying” IMDA member ($20 for individuals, $25 for families and organizations) to express your support for the IMDA’s programs and activities, including the annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration and Day of Irish Dance at the Landmark Center, the IMDA Workshop Tent at the Irish Fair of Minnesota, the “IMDA Honors” series, the IMDA Educational Grant Program, the “Decade of Dance” awards.
Members receive the following: * A one-year (January to December 2018) subscription to the IMDA’s monthly email newsletter, which features (among many other things) Will Kenny’s always-fascinating articles about theIrish language, Sherry Ladig’s book reviews, Brian’s Miller’s “Northwoods Songs” series, and news about the many Irish and Celtic events in the Twin Cities and beyond. * Public recognition in a “New or Renewed Members” section of future IMDA newsletters and in related posts to the IMDA web site and Facebook page.
* Bands, organizations and businesses who are IMDA members are given priority listing in the IMDA Community Resource List, the resource that many members of the community use when looking for a band or pub or shop.
Support the Irish Music and Dance Association when you shop on Amazon! When you select the Irish Music and Dance Association as your preferred charity on AmazonSmile, Amazon will make a donation to IMDA.
We are growing and expanding all the time to fit the needs of our community! Looking for a rousing Irish band on the weekend? Need to locate the best spots for traditional Irish music? Itching to try out some Irish dance? Find it all on the Irish Community Events Calendar.
The Irish Music and Dance Association is a 501(c)(3) organization.
