Are there any open sessions in the Minneapolis/St Paul area? For now I’m just looking for one to go and listen to. I would like to find one that I could eventually try to play in. Thanks
Some ideas, maybe:
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This thread has some info on sessions in Minneapolis, including a recent update:
http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=25125 -
Go to the sessions page at thesession.org, and search on Minnesota, though the 5 results for Minneapolis may be out of date:
http://www.thesession.org/sessions/ -
PM Nanohedron, our Moderatorer extraordinaire, who is in Minneapolis and undoubtedly up to date on the scene.
Send an e-mail to the Hobgoblin site in Red Wing MN for the latest updates around MN and WI. Lacross and Madison have many sessions too.
Check the Chiff & Fipple City Guide Forum. It’s all there, and it’s there for you.
I’ll still post the basics for open ITM sessions here, though.
First, nonexistent venues: O’Gara’s session is no more. Period. Hasn’t been one for quite a while, now. Molly Quinn’s, in either incarnation, is also no more.
What we do have: Kieran’s on Wednesday evenings, 9pm or so-ish until close, and Keegan’s on Sunday (except on religious holidays) from 6pm until sometimes even midnight. So, only two venues at this time, unfortunately, or at least that I know of.
There’s a new pub that may start hosting open sessions. If and when it does, I or someone else will announce it in the City Guide.
After a cursory look at the info at The Session: Molly Quinn’s is of course out of date. As for Columbia Grounds, never heard of it, so I can’t say. The Coffee Bean Cafe is about a 40 minute drive from MPLS. Dunno if that session is still running. I’ll take the Hobgoblin session as an article of faith. Also a bit of a drive, but scenic in the right weather. Contact Kate Dowling for more info about The Center for Irish Music’s session. I haven’t attended it, so I don’t know if it’s truly open or a venue for the students. St. Benedict’s Tavern, in Duluth if you want to spend the time getting there, is not an ITM session per se. You’ll be getting a goodly amount of Old Time music there.
To the best of my knowledge, the rest are private house sessions (but you could always be invited, of course!) and one closed public session at Keegan’s on Friday. Of course, there may be other closed sessions if what you want to do is listen, but I’m unaware of them at this time.
If Nano say’s it ain’t no session, then it ain’t no session! You got that ya mug!? You need me to open up my ol fiddle case and play ya a tune on the ol’ tommy gun?
Now, now, Dave. No need to be fractious. 
Just checked the comments for the venues posted at The Session. Pretty straightforward for the most part, including announcements of closures.
If you want open ITM sessions in Minneapolis, Kieran’s and Keegan’s are pretty much the name of the game.
BTW, Keegan’s dropped the 10pm curfew a while ago. Play 'til closing, if you like. 
And always, ALWAYS tip your server. Even if you’re only drinking water. They’re bustin’ their humps for you.
Thanks Nanohedron. I didn’t realize there was a city guide. I will be sure to tip the waiter.
Bless you.