A Vibrant 3-Day Celebration of Irish Music, Dance, Art & Culture at the United Irish Cultural Center (UICC)
Trad Fest West 2025 is more than a festival—it’s a living tribute to Irish heritage and a joyful expression of art, music, and community. Everyone is welcome. Come for the craic, stay for the culture!Hosted at the UICC (2700 45th Ave, San Francisco), the festival showcases the rich tapestry of Irish culture through music workshops, art exhibitions, live performances, a James Joyce inspired ballet in time for Bloomsday, a concert by Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones, family activities, and more.
Now in its third year, Trad Fest West has become a signature event for Irish culture in the West. This year is especially meaningful as the UICC marks its 50th anniversary—and celebrates five years of Wawona Gates, the beloved outdoor venue born from community resilience during the pandemic.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS BY DAY
DAY 1 – FRIDAY, JUNE 13
Trad Fest Opening Night: 6–10 PM
RSVP (no charge): Opening Night Events
- Meet the Artists Art Reception (7–9 PM): Wine & cheese reception with featured artists Michele Zousmer, Martha Cashman, and Jerry Daly in the St. Francis Room.
- Irish Music Concert Seisiún (6–8 PM): With celebrated musicians Pauline Conneely. Emily Greaney, and Grace Broadhead. Don’t miss this powerhouse trad trio who will set a high energy tone for the weekend!
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Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones Concert (8 PM) Separate ticket required: Buy Tickets
DAY 2 – SATURDAY, JUNE 14
Workshops, Music, and Family Fun (9 AM–10 PM)
- Irish Music & Dance Workshops (9 AM–3 PM): Learn from top talents including Pauline Conneely (banjo), Grace Broadhead (fiddle), Emily Greaney (harp, concertina, Sean Nós dance), Eric Owens (concert flute), Louis Devereux (bodhrán), and Jimmy Murphy (guitar). Pre-register now: Workshop Registration
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Live Music and All-Star (2 PM–10 PM): Featuring Turf in the Bog, our workshop musicians, pipers, dancers, and more.
- Turf in the Bog with Eric Owens 2-4 PM
- Pauline Conneely (tenor banjo) 4-5 PM
- Emily Greaney (harp and concertina) 5-6 PM
- Grace Broadhead (fiddle) 6-7 PM
- Trad Fest West All-Stars Concert 8-10 PM (featuring all of our Workshop musicians)
- Wawona Gates 5-Year Anniversary Celebration: Join us as we toast the pandemic-born success story that has become a staple for San Francisco Irish and our neighbors in the Outer Sunset!
- Irish Vendors & Taco Truck: Enjoy shopping from the UICC Irish Shoppe, Irish Castle Gifts, Treasure Ireland, and Celtic Tea Shoppe, and tasty treats.
- Community Art Show, Dowling Library Cultural Exhibits, and Kid Activities: Dive into Irish history (and Irish Dance history), Dowling Library, art, and fun for the whole family—including bounce house and displays.
DAY 3 – SUNDAY, JUNE 15 (2–5 PM)
- James Joyce Inspired Ballet, Irish Language & Farewell Seisiún: “Danse Lumière: A James Joyce Ballet” (2 PM): A new ballet inspired by The Dead, Ulysses, and Finnegans Wake, premiering in time for Bloomsday with American Ballet Theatre II’s Max Barker. 🎟️ Separate ticket required: Buy Tickets
- Pop-Up Gaeltacht (3–4 PM) with Marcus Rooney: Practice your cúpla focal (few words) with fellow Irish language enthusiasts.
- Seisiún in The Sunset (3–5 PM): Wrap up the weekend with music, community, and culture in the Emerald Pub.
About the Featured Artists
- Michele Zousmer, award-winning visual artist and photographer for social change, brings her stunning photo series Mis[s]Understood, spotlighting the women of the Irish Traveller community.
- Martha Cashman, Cork sculptor and UICC debut artist, presents Coastlines, a transatlantic tribute connecting Cork and San Francisco through natural materials and diaspora themes.
- Jerry Daly, San Francisco’s own Irish-born mixed media artist, shares new works and supports the exhibit with his expert installation skills.
Workshop Talent Lineup
• Pauline Conneely (Banjo)
• Grace Broadhead (Fiddle)
• Emily Greaney (Harp, Concertina, Sean Nós Dance)
• Eric Owens (Concert Flute)
• Louis Devereux (Bodhrán)
• Jimmy Murphy (Guitar)
Whether you’re a budding musician or a seasoned player, these workshops offer rare, hands-on experiences with tradition bearers of Irish music and dance.
TICKETS & INFO
https://irishcentersf.org/events/
