Kansas City Irish Traditional Music Seisiúns

There are a number a Irish Traditional Music session in the KC Metro. Current on-going KC Metro ITM Sessions:
1st Saturday Eddie Delahunt's Cafe & (4448 Bell Street), defunct for now
1st Saturday Kelly's Westsider (1515 Westport Rd.), 3-6pm
2nd Saturday The Gaf (71st and Wornall Rd.), 3-6pm
3rd Thursday Browne's Market (3300 Pennsylvania), 6-8pm
3rd Saturday Kelly's Westsider (1515 Westport Rd.), 3-6pm
3rd Sunday Irish Museum and Cultural Center (Union Station), 1-4pm
4th Saturday The Gaf (71st and Wornall Rd.), 3-6pm
5th Saturday none for now

3pm First and Third Saturday at Mike Kelly's Westsider!:
This session is on the first and third Saturday from 3pm to around 6pm (whenever the musicians leave). This is an open session, so all levels are welcome. The focus is Irish traditional music (as well as Scottish, Welsh, Cape Breton, etc.), and traditional Irish songs are welcome (Sean Nós and accompanied).

3pm Second and Fourth Saturday at The Gaf :
This is an open session, and beginners are welcome. This is the oldest on-going session in the area, and there is always a good crowd of listeners. Expect the session to start off small and to grow to as many as 17 players (or more). It is certainly a good place to meet lots of other friendly musicians.

Eddie Delahunt's Cafe &:
Though this is not active at the moment, it may start up again in the Spring. It offers a nice intimate session experience. Usually around three players. New players are welcome to play a few tunes in this friendly environment. Held on the first Saturday of the month, this session is relaxing and enjoyable.

Browne's Irish Market:
Browne's is the oldest continually run Irish business in the United States. It is only fitting for there to be a fine session there as well. Around seven players show up once a month, on the third Thursday around 5pm. Sometimes there are a few more, or a few less. There's always a bit of a crowd, and the food is great! Come drink a Guinness and enjoy the music!

Irish Museum and Cultural Center(IMCC):
Held in the Cultural Center (lower level of Union Station), this Sunday afternoon session typically has from four to ten players. Some people sit and listen, others wander in and out of the cultural center. It is a very congenial environment and worth checking out.

Typical instruments at an Irish Traditional Music session include fiddle, flute, tin whistle, accordion, mandolin, mando-bass, Irish bouzouki, cittern, bodhrán, bones, tenor banjo, and guitar. Those listed above or any of the following are welcome instruments: uilleann pipes, Scottish small pipes, anglo concertina.

Note: For those unfamiliar with the Irish seisiún I strongly suggest taking a look at Barry Foy, Field Guide to the Irish Music Session (Fogchart, 2008). It is both humorous and informative, provideing basic seisiún etiquette for anyone interested in getting involved in the global ITM (Irish Traditional Music) community. Learn to do it here, and you can do it anywhere!

Irish Traditional Music Sessions in KC!
Whether you play ITM or just like to listen, we hope to see you at one of our local sessions!

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