Rochester, MN
Home MenuContact Information
201 4th St. SE
Suite 170
Rochester, MN 55901
Phone: 507-328-2200
TTY/TDD: More Information
Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Passport Sessions
Music With Roots. Sounds That Travel.
Est. 2010
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Passport Sessions in 2025!
These free concerts brought diverse sounds into the heart of Rochester - from Indigenous hip hop to Turkish orchestra music. We’ll be back in summer 2026 with more new sounds.
Lineup announcement coming spring 2026.
Passport Sessions is a summer music series that celebrates cultural connection through sound.
Each featured artist brings a distinctive musical tradition shaped by identity, heritage, and place. Styles range from hand-drummed rhythms and string traditions to vocal forms passed down across generations.
Performers share their work in two ways: through a free public concert at Thursdays Downtown, and through daytime performances for students in Rochester Public Schools’ Summer SACC (School Age Child Care) program.
This series invites audiences of all ages to listen, learn, and connect through music.
Jump to a Topic
Looking for seating info, artist lineups, or vendor details? Use the links below to jump to what you need:
Planning Your Visit
At the Event
Connla - FREE Mini-Concert
(World Music Series)
- Date: 08/20/2019 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
- Location: Rochester Public Library
101 2nd St SE
Rochester, Minnesota 55904
- Intro Text Labelled as the Hottest New Group out of Northern Ireland, (Chicago Irish American News) Connla have been quickly making an impact on the folk/traditional scene. Songlines magazine made Connla their “must see act” for the tour of the UK and stated “A band this young shouldn’t be this good”. Their sensitive and innovative arrangements of traditional and modern folk songs and tunes, have helped them create a sound which is very identifiable as Connla. Irish Music Magazine stated; “Consider this your early warning system, there is something serious on the horizon and that creative storm is Connla” (Irish Music Magazine).
- Artist Website URL https://connlamusic.com/
Hailing from the cities of Armagh and Derry and are made up of Ciara McCafferty (vocals), Ciaran Carlin (Flute/Whistles) Paul Starrett (Guitar) Emer Mallon (Harp) and Conor Mallon (Uilleann Pipes/Whistles).
Labelled as the Hottest New Group out of Northern Ireland, (Chicago Irish American News) Connla have been quickly making an impact on the folk/traditional scene. Songlines magazine made Connla their “must see act” for the tour of the UK and stated “A band this young shouldn’t be this good”. Their sensitive and innovative arrangements of traditional and modern folk songs and tunes, have helped them create a sound which is very identifiable as Connla. Irish Music Magazine stated; “Consider this your early warning system, there is something serious on the horizon and that creative storm is Connla” (Irish Music Magazine).
The group is a full mix of musical knowledge, training and performance experience unheard of in a group this young. All are close friends and/or family who go way back together in the Northern musical scene. Each has won several performance awards. The resulting music is satisfyingly complex, yet directly and easily accessible. This is that rare group that is musically attractive to the experienced trad purist, as well as the music fan who knows nothing of the music. There is the mix in all of their music of great lift to the music and deep insights in the songs, all coupled with top musicianship and taste. Truth be told, it may never have been pulled off before by a group this young. Yesterday and tomorrow’s trad today. Here comes Connla!
Brought to you by the Friends of Riverside Concerts with additional support by the Mayo Clinic. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support Grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.
Passport Sessions Lineups
Going to a Passport Show:
Supporters & Partners
Passport Sessions is a City-funded program presented by Rochester Public Music. Our partners play a key role in extending its reach by helping us share performances that spark curiosity, celebrate cultural traditions, and connect communities across Rochester.
2026 sponsorship opportunities are now available. Visit our Supporters & Partners page or email publicmusic@rochestermn.gov to learn more.
2025 Funding Partners
|
Grant Support: Thomas X Event
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
|
2025 Venue Partner
|
Presented in partnership with Thursdays Downtown
|
2025 Youth Program Partner
|
Host sites for youth concerts through Summer SACC
|