St.Patrick’s Day beckons and with the last two years of disappointments and disruptions, the need to feel hopeful is persistent and growing. And for humans, what stronger symbol of hope are our children?
So, you’ve decided this is the year you’d like to do some dancing with the kids to celebrate- your kids or your students- but you’re not quite sure what to do or how to go about it. (You might also want to look at some tips for dancing during a pandemic)
I’ve been lucky enough to have a number of opportunities to teach children to dance and made plenty of mistakes. What I learned though is that you don’t have to be perfect; in fact, it’s far better if you approach it as an experience and a journey of joy, much the way a child would do when learning something interesting, engaging and fun!
TIPS FOR TEACHING
Start slow and simple– Start with something you are certain every single dancer will be able to do, and preferably something that is fun and enjoyable This ensures that dancers will gain confidence and that they feel they are part of the group, not the odd one out unable to dance.
Start with each individual dancing on their own in a large group, then gradually introduce the idea of dancing with a partner. I did this by teaching a simple, 3-4 part warm-up dance with plenty of repetition. The steps learned in warm-up could then progress to be used as a base for a brush/broom dance, allowing each child to focus on their brush and their dancing, not on each other. Then move on to a group circle dance where each child is paired with another (Rattlin’ Bog see below).
Boys germs – Be aware that some children will be alive to the “yuck” factor – that hand-holding and touching each other will be abhorrent to some children, depending on their age and experience. So, don’t force anything. All activities and dance moves should be optional and you may need to find creative solutions to elements of dance that children are finding difficult or not responding to. Keep in mind the need for a Plan B.
Introducing dance movements – Work from what people find easiest to do and then work towards the more complex things. Build the movements and steps, bit by bit.Start with a walk– walking is very close to an advance step for sets. A retiring step for sets is just like walking backwards – a little more tricky.
Most people can STAMP one foot while standing on the other- makes a great sound and is simple. CLAPS are also pretty simple and KICKS as finishing moves.
Little SKIPS, HOPS & JUMPS are also easy for kids – they look and sound great when controlled and in unison. Got the idea?
For set or céilí dancing, focus on the figures first, then the dance steps.Teach the figure or the pattern of the dance first, without too much focus on what is happening with the feet- it will come. Learning dance steps, and especially battering steps, can be difficult and generally takes a lot of practice. For set dancing, I find reel steps tends to take longer to learn than jig or polka steps. That should not be a deterrent to trying to teach dance steps but be realistic about your expectations as a teacher, particularly if you have limited time.
Don’t talk too much – show them what to do, walk through it once, then dance it with some repetition, maybe 3-4 times. Get people moving as soon as possible after the class starts.
Keep the teaching sessions short- 30-40 minutes at a time is plenty of time for teaching and learning. Take note when children are becoming bored or distracted- either move into a different dance, take a break or end the class.
Music is most important – needs to be toe-tapping and inspiring enough to be still interested after listening 100 times! Even better for children if it has a catchy song that can be included in the dance. Spend time seeking out the right music and make deliberate choices.
Suggest you start with music that is slower, and increase the tempo as the learning progresses.You can slow a tune down so that the music is the same and as dancers get the hang of the movement, you can increase the pace, or not, depending on how well they are going and enjoying it.
I also have S-T-R-E-T-C-H music – tunes that have been stretched (by a sound engineer) so the music is slow at the start and gradually, imperceptibly speeds up to normal speed at the end.
Build confidence– plan your class to suit the abilities of the dancers (not your needs) and give them lots of encouragement. Focus on what they are doing right, and not what they are doing wrong. Lots of praise works.
If you are anywhere near Ireland this Northern hemisphere summer, there is absolutely no excuse for not learning to play, sing or dance. Festivals and summer schools are burgeoning, with most offering opportunities to learn Irish set dancing, Irish sean nós dancing and/ or to learn to play or master a range of traditional musical instruments, as well as a wide range of concerts, céilís and lectures. And, of course, there are the fourprovincial fleadhanna(flaa-na), festivals incorporating competitions for traditional musicians and dancers, with the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann being hosted by Ennis, Co.Clare in August this year.
There is a tangible increase in 2016 for opportunities to learn and compete at sean nós dancing, to attend singing classes and performances, and much more on offer specifically for children.
You can find your way around all 38 festivals listed here by either using the interactive map or by scrolling the date listing below, which also includes a brief description.
FESTIVAL LISTING BY DATE (If you don’t see your festival here, please let me know)
JUNE 2016
Friday 10th – Sunday 12th June 2016 Craiceann International Bodhrán Summer School Inis Oirr, Co.Galway (Aran Islands) www.craiceann.com
Sunday 12th June- Thursday 16th June 2016 Enniscrone Irish and Country Music Festival Enniscrone, Co.Sligo
The 5 day festival brings together some of the best Country and Western stars under one roof in the Diamond Coast Hotel but the festival also gives the opportunity for people to take part in set dance workshops, ballroom and social dance workshops, music tutorials, sessions and with music and dance taking place till late in the night. http://www.diamondcoast.ie/Irish_Trad_and_Country_Music_Festival.html
Sunday 12th-Sunday 19th June 2016 Galway Sessions Galway city, Co.Galway
Dedicated this year to the memory of Éamonn Ceannt, there will be lectures, music, recitals and wide range of other events. www.galwaysessions.com
Thursday 16th -Sunday 19th June 2016 Jim Dowling Uillean Pipe & Traditional Music Festival
Glengarriff, Co.Cork www.jimdowlingfestival.com
Monday20th June – Friday 1st July 2016 BLÁS Limerick, Co.Limerick
Intensive “deep dive” workshops and master classes for experienced singers, dancers and musicians with a focus on collaborative integration of understanding between the disciplines- a residential program at the University of Limerick. www.blas.ie
Saturday 25th-Sunday 26th June 2016 & Saturday 2nd – Sunday 3rd July 2016 Fleadh Cheoil Chonnacht 2016 Strokestown, Co.Roscommon
Connacht Province Fleadh, which is primarily provincial competitions for traditional musicians, dancers & other artists, organised by the local Comhaltas Cheoltóirí Éireann (CCE). http://www.connachtfleadh.ie/
Saturday 25th-Sunday 26th June 2016 Carlow Set Dance Weekend 2016
Weekend of set dancing workshops and céilís. Carlow, Co. Carlow
JULY 2016
Saturday 2nd July- Saturday 9th July 2016 Willie Clancy Summer School Miltown Malbay, Co.Clare
Affectionately known as Willie Week, this is probably the longest running of these festivals. There’s always a great buzz in Miltown: we call it Set Dancing Mecca! Classes for music and dance are run each morning from 10-1pm from Monday – Saturday, interspersed with a wide range of afternoon and evening set dancing céilís around the area, singing sessions & music sessions in pubs. Highly recommended for those who want full immersion, deep dive into Irish culture & craic. http://www.scoilsamhraidhwillieclancy.com/ http://www.armadahotel.com/events.html/armada-festival-of-music-dancing-2016
Monday 4th July-Sunday 10th July 2016 Leinster Fleadh Cheoil 2016 Kilkenny, Co.Kilkenny
Leinster Province Fleadh, which is primarily provincial competitions for traditional musicians and dancers and other artists, organised by the local Comhaltas Cheoltóirí Éireann (CCE). http://www.leinsterfleadh.ie
Sunday 10th July- Saturday 16th July 2016 South Sligo Summer School Tubbercurry, Co.Sligo
This has become my favorite festival for it’s laid back nature but also the learning to dance program is excellent. Different energy to Willie Clancy, it’s more intimate, gentler and very enjoyable in this beautiful part of Co.Sligo, with very deep music & dance tradition. Set dancing and music classes are in the morning 10am-1pm, a sean nós dance program in the afternoon from 4-6pm, and a range of concerts in the afternoons, and set dancing céilís in the evenings, with sessions in the pubs to follow. http://www.sssschool.org/index.html
Monday 11th July– Friday 15th July 2016 Ceol na Coille Summer School of Irish Traditional Music Letterkenny, Co.Donegal www.ceolnacoille.ie
Monday 11th July– Friday 15th July 2016 Westport Scoil Cheoil 2016 Westport, Co.Mayo
Full summer school with tuition, concerts and recitals. www.westportscoilcheoil.com
Monday 11th July- Friday 15th July 2016 Sean Nós ar an tSionnan Feet and Beat Summer Camp Ballymote, Co Sligo
A week of dance training for children from 7 to 15 years. http://edwinaguckian.com/dance-classes/
Friday 15th July – Sunday 17th July 2016 Danny Webster Weekend Meenaneary, Co Donegal
Kilkenny’s master accordionist visits Donegal for a weekend of three céilís.
Friday 16th July -Sunday 25th July 2016 Ulster Fleadh 2016 Bangor, Co.Down
Ulster Province Fleadh, which is primarily provincial competitions for traditional musicians and dancers and other artists, organised by the local Comhaltas Cheoltóirí Éireann (CCE). www.ulsterfleadh.com
Saturday 16th July – Sunday 17th July Munster Fleadh 2016 Listowel,Co.Kerry
Muster Province Fleadh, which is primarily provincial competitions for traditional musicians and dancers and other artists, organised by the local Comhaltas Cheoltóirí Éireann (CCE). www.munsterfleadh.ie
Sunday 17th July – Saturday 24thJuly 2016 Joe Mooney Summer School Drumshanbo Co. Leitrim
Drumshanbo is delightful – a similar format to South Sligo Summer School, the difference here is the focus is very much around the unusual main street, which has a pedestrian mezzanine above the lane of traffic, where you can sit out in the sun, dance, listen to music & enjoy the people going by and enjoy a number of excellent evening céilís. www.JoeMooneySummerSchool.com
July 18th – 22nd, 2016 Meitheal Residential Summer School Villiers School, Limerick City, Ireland
Residential Summer School for young traditional musicians. www.tradweek.com
Monday 18th July – Friday 22nd July Get in Step Summer Camp Riverstown, Co Sligo
€60 for five classes sean nós and set dancing summer school for kids from 5 to 17 years from 10am–2pm daily
Eimear Mulvey (086) 258 4465
Saturday 23rd July – Saturday 30th July 2016 Scoil Acla Summer School Achill Island, Co.Mayo
Traditional Music Courses, Art Workshops, Sean Nós Singing, Writers Workshop, Dance Workshop, Sean Nós Dancing, Basket Weaving Workshops www.scoilacla.com
Monday 25th July- Sunday 31 July 2016 Kilcar Fleadh Kilcar, Co Donegal
A village on the wild Atlantic coast of Donegal hosts this week-long music and dance festival. https://donegalgathering.com/july/kilcar-fleadh/
Monday 25th July 2016 O’Carolan Summer School and Harp Festival Keadue, Co Roscommon
The Irish composer Turlough O’Carolan is the inspiration for this summer school and festival in this gorgeous town. http://www.ocarolanharpfestival.ie/
Monday July 25th- Friday 29th 2016 Liffey Trust Studios, 117-126 Upper Sheriff Street, Dublin 1 Rince 2016-Treblehop
Irish step dancing intensive tuition including solo technique, stage performance, céilí, show style and injury prevention. http://www.treblehop.com/rince_2016
Friday July 29th – Sunday 31st July 2016 Ballyshannon Folk Festival Ballyshannon, County Donegal www.ballyshannonfolkfestival.com
Saturday 30th July 2016 James Morrison Traditional Music Festival Riverstown, Co Sligo.
A full trad festival with open air céilís, concerts, sessions and more in the home village of a fiddler who became famous in the USA. http://jamesmorrisonfestival.com/author/admin/
AUGUST 2016
Saturday 31st July – 7th August 2016 The Irish Dance Festival Carlingford, Co.Louth
Spend a week learning from some of the world’s best Irish dance masters of three styles – step, set and sean nós – and connect with fellow lovers of Irish dance by immersing yourself in Irish culture and heritage. www.irishdancefestival.com
Wednesday 3 August-Monday 8th August Feakle International Festival of Traditional Music Feakle, Co Clare
The big festival in the small village of Feakle runs for seven days from Wednesday to Monday with many concerts & sessions in addition to the dancing events shown here. http://www.feaklefestival.ie
Monday 8 August – Friday 12 August Get in Step Summer Camp Kilcummin, Co,Kerry
Sean nós and set dancing summer school for kids from 5 to 17 years.
Adrian Moriarty (087) 933 0768
Monday 8 August- Friday 12 August 2016 Sean Nós ar an tSionann Feet and Beat Summer Camp Drumshanbo Co. Leitrim A week of dance training for children from 7 to 15 years. http://edwinaguckian.com/dance-classes
Sunday 14th August- Monday 22 August 2016 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Ennis, Co Clare
Nearly two weeks of fabulous music, dance and a wide range of concerts and other events celebrating Irish culture. Don’t miss it! http://fleadhcheoil.ie
Wednesday 17 August – Sunday 21 August 2016 Masters of Tradition Bantry, Cork
Celebrating traditional music in its’purest form through a series of concerts and performances, directed by Martin Hayes. www.WestCorkMusic.ie/MastersOfTradition
Thursday 18th August- Sunday 21st August 2016 Coleman Traditional Festival
Gurteen, Co.Sligo
The Coleman Traditional Irish Music Centre is a celebration of Irish Music, Culture and Heritage as expressed in the South Sligo Style of music played by Michael Coleman and other musicians of his time.
This community based enterprise in Gurteen, Co.Sligo, Ireland is dedicated to ensuring that the tradition of Irish music remains a living one ‘an traidisiún beo’ and that it continues to be enjoyed by all ages and nationalities. www.colemanirishmusic.com
This half set began it’s life in Canberra over 3 years ago at the King O’Malleys music session with Libby and Richard Conrick, amongst others. Richard and Libby knew Jack well : in fact, one of their sons is named after him, and Jack Conrick is now a fabulous fiddle and concertina player himself.
Martin and I would often go to the session on Tuesday nights, and occasionally, we would get up and “throw a few shapes”, as they say, just the two of us in a very small dance space, enjoying whatever music they were playing.
Some of the signature moves came from experimenting at the session. But mostly, the influences have come from my years dancing in Ireland, and in Clare, reflecting many of the Clare dance moves we know and love, with a few twists.
Martin and Nora dancing with Jack Conrick playing concertina in the background at King O’Malleys, Canberra.
I remember my first set dancing experience in early 1989 as a blur – a great fun, sweaty, frustrating blur of people, heat and amazing sound. I have no recollection at all of the sets I learned but the remainder was a great sense and wonderful feeling of what it was all about. And that is an important thing to reflect on when you are preparing to teach a group or a class who have no experience of dancing sets.
What you, as a teacher, are doing initially is trying to create a good positive experience – one that hopefully will inspire & encourage new dancers enough to keep them coming back, as learning set dancing is a long-term pursuit, not a quick fix.
And predictably, as a dancer making the transition from doing to teaching, I made lots of mistakes – still making them, actually! I started teaching my new class what I had started with-the Caledonian Set, the Ballyvourney Jig Set, the North Kerry Set, the Clare Plain Set, as examples.
Calling all dancers: the Irish summer is only weeks away now- get ready to dance!!!
I’m getting very excited about all the dance, music, fun, friendship and cráic ahead. It really is the best fun you can have standing up!I I have updated the Irish Summer Dance and Music for 2015 dates and information about a range of Irish, US and German dance festivals. This year I have also put together this schedule of brilliant dance céilí choices below to help me decide what to go to and where… I need to grow two more pairs of legs to stretch myself across all these fabulous offerings!
After my blog post a few years ago now, I promised myself that I was going to be as positive as possible leading up to this St.Patrick’s Day but I find myself increasingly dismayed at the lack of thoughtful, intelligent or genuine opportunities to celebrate the best of Irish on this day of days.
Some weeks ago, I received a phone call from a local establishment enquiring if we were interested in “bringing some of our girls to dance on St.Patrick’s Day”. I patiently explained that we are a group of mature adults, not kids and we don’t get dressed up or wear wigs and also that our styles of dance- Irish set dancing & Irish sean nós dancing – were a bit different to the Riverdance style. To his credit, he listened to what I had to say and was open to the idea of our group dance.
However, once I started thinking about performing while surrounded by an audience of very drunk, not very interested people, it turned me right off. And frankly, those young dancers who do perform for those audiences are doing themselves a grave dis-service. So much effort and talent, and so little respect in return.
I think the sniggering, constant jokes about drinking and being drunk, the colour palette that is stuck on forest green and the frankly ludicrous circus-like approach to St. Patrick’s celebrations has had it’s day. I saw a frightening program on TV Old Before My Time the other night about under 30’s binge-drinkers in the UK and the terrible damage they are doing to their health. There’s nothing funny about it at all.
Why do Irish people put up with the standard stereotypes that are about a nano-metre deep? C’mon folks, you, me and we the Irish are much better than that and I think the stereotypical drunken lurching with a pint of green beer, Gu*@&#@ess shirt and hat should be consigned to the dustbin of the 1980’s.
Time to sharpen up the act, refresh the image with a celebration of the deep and rich culture that Ireland has brought to the world. Time to include alternatives that include wit, fun, conversation, stories, great energy and creativity as well as a deep soulfulness that is rightly part of a holy day.
How else to celebrate St.Patrick’s Day?
Be active – Dance, of course! And if dance isn’t your thing, do our fun fast fitness program and get fit at the same time. Or do some gentle Tai Chi to Irish music Be happy– Listen to some great Irish music whatever your mood is – soulful, joyful, uplifting. Be confident– Sing an Irish song or organise a group sing-song. Be reflective– gaze at a beautiful view or photo, visit a church or holy place for you. Be generous – Make a donation or fundraise for an Irish charity doing good work internationally, such as Trócaire or Chernobyl Children International or Save The Children give generously to a friend or neighbour in need. Be witty– Write a limerick or host a limerick competition- such good fun. Be hospitable – Host morning tea or a lunch with beautiful Irish food-a gorgeous brack, a dozen scones or bacon, cabbage and potatoes! Check out a few recipes online Be learned – Celebrate Irish history, Irish writers & poets – seek information online, go out and buy or borrow books from your local library. Or learn a few words of Irish! Be funny – Learn 5 new jokes to tell your friends or send them your favourite funniest & uplifting YouTube videos for a laugh. Be charming – Seek out people you’ve never met before, listen and genuinely engage with them. The Irish are the best people-magnets I know 🙂
And at the end of it all, if you like, a small glass of something you’re having yourself – a hot whiskey, a port or even a pint-would be grand.
Keeping happy and healthy is all part of the day.
Sláinte agus sonas!
I had the pleasure of teaching a sean nós & battering workshop in October with a group of 13 dancers from Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne and Canberra, on the 10th annual October set dancing weekend here in Canberra. We went through and learned our 3 step sean nós routine to hornpipes (see below), which was nervously but well performed to an expectant crowd the next day.
Not surprisingly though, the highlight was really getting stuck in to the battering steps, particularly the Clare battering step. This is a name that is loosely used for steps that are popularly danced in Clare to reels, and experienced dancers will recognise that very familiar tattoo immediately, as heard below:
Sharing Irish dancing with my friends and non-dancers is something I love to do, AND it needs to be very, very easy.
Here, I am featuring three of the 6 different Irish dance styles with videos and instructions that are linked to each dance name so you can follow along.
Irish set dancing figures
Irish two hand dancing
Irish céilí dancing
If you’re really keen and this is your first time getting people dancing, see my next post How to work with your party crowdwho are keen to dance (and have probably had a few drinks)…
The Paris Opera Ballet School celebrated over 300 years of dance tradition in 2013, and I recently saw a lovely documentary focusing on the experience of young dancers starting out and doing an orientation of the company. I was entranced by their passion and commitment, particularly their gentle and considered approach to every aspect of the school and it’s tradition.
Part of that tradition is where all the youngest & newest members of the ballet school participate in the annual défilé– a parade of all ballet school and company members prior to a proper ballet performance. Everyone is on show, and careful attention is paid to all aspects of the défilé slow walk. One young dancer said her teacher told her to imagine that “our heels light up the room.”
I’m quite taken by that idea- every time you lift your heel there’s a bright shining light that illuminates.
However, it’s all very well to do that in a slow, deliberate ballet walk but trying to light up the room at a fast Irish reel pace can be quite a challenge. Here is some information about reels that might help you.
