HEARTS Irish Connections ‘26: A Sharpe Focus
Join us for our fifth annual Irish Connections at HEARTS’ newest Affiliate, the Historic Sharpe House in downtown Statesville, NC.
The Celtic Sessions
The Sharpe House is coming into focus in 2026! Offering more connections to the community than ever, the Sharpe House is being reinvigorated with HEARTS (history, ecology, arts, reunion, trails, store)! We’re excited to present an incredible season of new events, new learning opportunities, a new website, summer camps, teas, and tours at the Historic Sharpe House!
HEARTS is thrilled to announce its fifth annual Irish Connections event at the historic Sharpe House in downtown Statesville, NC. This year’s edition, Irish Connections '26: Sharpe Focus, explores the history and heritage of Statesville's Sharpe Family and how they and many other Scots-Irish immigrants came to this region in the 18th century.
Featuring Dr. Hugh Dussek, Irish dance by the award-winning Connick School, live Celtic music by Celtic Sessions, and more, this place-based HEARTS Happening has something for everyone. It all happens on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, at The Historic Sharpe House, 402 S Center St, Statesville, NC 28677.
This free, community-wide "happening" honors the Scots-Irish heritage of our region with a focus on William Sharpe of the Sharpe Family and his Revolutionary contributions to America and Iredell County. Tickets are required, and donations are gratefully appreciated. This event is made possible through HEARTS Circle Members, Iredell Arts Council Grassroots Grant, and presenting sponsors, blueharbor bank, and Lake Norman Realty.
HEARTS (history, ecology, arts, reunion, trails, store) weaves threads of local lore past and present into a vibrant and interconnected tapestry of our region. HEARTS happenings are free, dynamic community gatherings featuring music, visual arts, and lectures exploring local history, nature, and our shared sense of place.
The Sharpe House with Col. Silas Alexander Sharpe rocking on the front porch.
HEARTS Irish Connections ‘26: A Sharpe Focus
Presenting Dr. Hugh Dussek
This year’s HEARTS Irish Connection: Sharpe Focus honors Statesville's Sharpe family, Scots-Irish settlers who came to Iredell County in the 18th century. Join us for a presentation by noted historian Dr. Hugh Dussek, who will recount the Sharpe family tale alongside other significant events from our region’s Revolutionary history.
Award-winning Irish Dancers
The Connick School of Irish Dance, founded in 1994 by Sandra Connick, is returning to Irish Connections '26! The Connick School was founded in 1994 by Sandra Connick to pass on the rich cultural foundation of Irish dance in the greater Charlotte area. Since then the Connick School has grown from a small local studio to a renowned institution known for its exceptional training programs and vibrant community.
The Celtic Sessions
The Celtic Sessions features original songwriting and arrangements of traditional Celtic music performed by singer Julian Charles, who also plays Guitar, Harmonica, Bodhran, and traditional folk instruments; music writer RG Absher, who also plays the guitar, fiddle, banjo, and hammered dulcimer, and folk music specialist Naomi Orr, who also plays the silver flute, Irish flute, penny whistle, Celtic harp, and the bagpipes. Their concerts offer a unique performance of ancient folk music with storytelling and songwriting that are drawn from our region’s Scottish, Irish, and English heritage.
Event Details:
What: 5th Anniversary - HEARTS Irish Connections '26: Sharpe Focus
When: Saturday, March 21, 2026, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Where: Historic Sharpe House Garden Stage, 402 S Center St, Statesville, NC 28677.
Cost: Free to the community (tickets required, donations appreciated)
About HEARTS
Designed to inspire and enhance our community’s shared sense of place, HEARTS Happenings are grass-roots events known for juxtaposing regional history and ecology with curated local music, visual art, and dance in multi-faceted, place-based programs. HEARTS (History, Ecology, Arts, Reunion, Trails, and Store) is made possible by dedicated volunteers, HEARTS Circle members, presenting partners Lake Norman Realty, blueharbor bank, and generous donations from the community. All proceeds further the HEARTS mission of historic preservation, ecological conservation, and forging community connections in our region.
HEARTS Collaborative is actively working to help preserve, connect, and share some of our region’s most important historic landmarks. Learn more about HEARTS and join us to achieve goals to honor our local history and enhance our communities through sustainable uses of our special places. www.HEARTSCollaborative.org.
Upcoming Events
Sharpe House Annual Easter Tea & Egg Hunt - 3-28-26
HEARTS United to Save Brevard’s Chapel - 3-28-26
New Series: Tea & Tour at the Sharpe House - Multiple Dates
New Series: Tea & Tales at the Sharpe House - Multiple Dates
Sharpe House Mother’s Day Tea - 5-2-26
HEARTS May Day & Living History at the Hugh Torance House and Store - 5-2-2026
HEARTS: Trails Through Time '26 - Sherrills Path, Troutman – 5-23-26
HEARTS Junion '26: Who Was Henry Brevard?, Cedar Grove, 6/13/26
HEARTS July 4th - Forging Our Freedom, Cedar Grove, 7/4/26
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The HEARTS Collaborative (aka HEARTS) is a comprehensive umbrella nonprofit serving as a regional source of collaboration and connectivity for the community of historic sites and buildings, trails and natural areas, churches and burial grounds, visual and performing arts, research, archives, and artifacts.
HEARTS provides unique place-based nonprofit programming that shares the intricately woven stories of our region and the people who’ve lived here throughout time. The first HEARTS connection was sparked between the Hugh Torance House and Store and Cedar Grove, the National Register 1831 Greek Revival home of Hugh’s son, James Torrance. Since then, many connections have been explored and shared through the multi-faceted HEARTS Happenings.
