♪♪ >> ERIC: NEXT WEEKEND, THE ANNUAL IRISH FAIR OF MINNESOTA RETURNS TO HARRIET ISLAND RIGHT HERE IN ST. PAUL.
IF YOU CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THEN FOR A BIT OF IRISH MUSIC, YOU'RE IN LUCK.
WE HAVE A SPECIAL PREVIEW FOR YOU TONIGHT.
NORAH RENDELL IS THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AT THE CENTER FOR IRISH MUSIC AND SHE'S BROUGHT SOME STUDENTS WITH HER TONIGHT.
THEY'LL PLAY FOR US.
FIRST OF ALL, WHAT'S THE CENTER'S MISSION?
>> THE MISSION IS TO HAND DOWN THE TRADITION TO THE NEXT GENERATION OF MUSICIANS IN OUR COMMUNITY, SO WE TIRE IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC.
>> Eric: QUICKLY GIVE THEM A SHOT.
WHO ARE THEY?
>> THIS IS MAR REIN, KIERAN, AND OWEN OVER THERE ON THE FIDDLE.
>> WHAT PART WILL THEY HAVE IN THE FESTIVITIES?
>> PLAYING ON THE MAIN STAGE ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AND DOING AN IRISH PETTING ZOO ON SATURDAY AT 11:00 a.m., AND IF YOU WANT TO TRY OUT ONE OF THESE INSTRUMENTS, COME DOWN TO THE IRISH FAIR OF MINNESOTA.
>> Eric: WHAT ELSE IS ON THE MENU?
>> AT THE FAIR?
>> Eric: YEAH.
>> WE'VE GOT HUNDREDS OF NEW CIRCUMSTANCES ANSWER PLAYING ON SEVEN DIFFERENT STAGES AND THERE'S ALSO LOTS OF CULTURAL EVENTS, SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.
THERE ARE DOGS THAT YOU CAN PET AND THERE'S, LIKE, I THINK THEY DO SOME IRISH SPORTS, THE GAELIC FOOTBALL AND HURLING, THERE'S CRAFTS, FAMILY INTERESTS BUT ALSO BIG BANDS, JIG JAM, GOING TO BE A GREAT FESTIVAL.
IRISHFAIR.COM.
>> Eric: WHAT'S THE FIRST SONG YOU'RE GOING TO PLAY FOR US?
>> THEY ARE GOING TO PLAY TWO JIGS FOR YOU, THESE ARE TWO TUNES THAT MAUREEN LEARNED OVER IN IRELAND LAST YEAR SO THE FIRST ONE IS CALLED "I WILL IF I CAN WETLAND AND THE SECOND ONE IS CALLED Q FAREWELL TO GURCHING" >> ATTENTION AT IT, GUYS.
GOOD TO HAVE YOU.
♪♪ [FAST-PACED IRISH MUSIC]