Emigrate! Bound for Cleveland! is an exploration of immigration to Northeast Ohio – primarily from Ireland – at the turn of the last century. Through music and story, attendees will learn the story of boxer Johnny Kilbane, a child of Irish immigrants, who went on to become the World Featherweight Champion from 1912 to 1923, the longest period in the division’s history.

Along the way, the challenges faced by Cleveland’s Irish immigrant community in the early 1900s as well as current immigration realities will be touched on. Kilbane’s life and achievements allow for an exploration of realities faced by historical immigrant communities and help us understand the American immigrant experience today.

Featured musical performers will be Irish punk band The Boys from County Hell, Irish traditional musician Ruairi Hurley, and Ray Flanagan.

Following the event, a podcast inspired by the songs and stories shared at the performance will be made available for the public to listen to.

Emigrate! Bound for Cleveland! is part of Roots of American Music’s program, the Ohio Heritage Music Project, whose mission is to re-imagine music production in order to document, preserve and build awareness of regional music.