Celebrate your Irish heritage with The Shillelagh Lads and The Chippewa Valley Irish Dance!

Shillelagh Lads: Making their debut in 2010 with a 4 year musical residency at Houligan's Steak and Seafood Pub in Eau Claire, the Shillelagh Lads have been capturing the hearts of their audiences ever since with their inclusive, participatory atmosphere and whimsical style. Frontmen Michael O'Claire (Michael Rambo) and Michael O'Connelly (Michael Vanhemert) have been area musicians, and performers in the region since 2001. Though the Lad's have seen many members, they maintain their youthful, cheery swagger, their dedication to legitimate Irish stylings, and their love for people and for God. Albums include studio albums "Shillelagh Lads" (2011) and "Hymns" (2015), and live album, "Shillelagh Lads Live Vol. 1" (2013). The Lad's have performed at Iowa Irish Fest, La Crosse Irish Fest, Eau Claire Jazz Fest, International Fall Fest (Eau Claire), Heyde Center for the Arts, Volume One Sounds Like Summer Concert Series, along with a variety of community celebrations and venues in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.  

Chippewa Valley Irish Dance: Chippewa Valley Irish Dance teaches and performs traditional Irish dance in the Chippewa Valley. Based in Menomonie, this group offers classes for ages 6 through adult and emphasizes exercise and teamwork through Irish dance. Proceeds are going to support CVID, Mabel Tainter Theater, Shillelagh Lads, and CollECtive Arts.  CollECtive Arts started as an all-ages community Gospel and Hip Hop choir in 2015, performing in area festivals, concert series, churches, block parties and community events. The organization has grown to include 4 programs, including CollECtive Choir, The Jam (an after-school teenage music community), Might in Motion (Dance), and The Table (Theater). Beginning in October 2022, CollECtive Arts launched the CollECtive Arts Center in downtown Eau Claire from which they host weekly programming, community hours, workshops, classes, concerts and events. The center includes a recording studio, practice spaces, a dance studio, a prayer room, music instrument library, and a multi-use performing area. CollECtive Arts continues to provide its free programming through the generosity of donors like you.