Irish dancing?

[ms.yt]

I didn't want to take the beauty pageant thread totally off topic with this question, but I noticed some responses about children participating in Irish dance classes. Is this a big thing in some parts of the country? I'm not trying to be snarky or anything, I just wasn't aware that was common. Around here kids participate in jazz, tap & ballet pretty frequently, but I'm not aware of any Irish dance classes. I could just be out of the loop, though.

I always think it's interesting to find out about regional differences, so I thought this would be a good time to explore some of those areas.

 

[Mickey's Minion]

I didn't want to take the beauty pageant thread totally off topic with this question, but I noticed some responses about children participating in Irish dance classes. Is this a big thing in some parts of the country? I'm not trying to be snarky or anything, I just wasn't aware that was common. Around here kids participate in jazz, tap & ballet pretty frequently, but I'm not aware of any Irish dance classes. I could just be out of the loop, though.

I always think it's interesting to find out about regional differences, so I thought this would be a good time to explore some of those areas.

DD has several friends that compete in Irish Dancing. Although we have never been fortunate enough to catch a competiton, I love to see them perform in the local St. Patty's Days events. Such intricacy and skill, it is beautiful to watch.

 

[ms.yt]

DD has several friends that compete in Irish Dancing. Although we have never been fortunate enough to catch a competiton, I love to see them perform in the local St. Patty's Days events. Such intricacy and skill, it is beautiful to watch.

What part of the country are you in? I'm in northeast Arkansas, and I don't think there are any people teaching it around here.

 

[aprilgail2]

my daughter does irish step dancing- there are quite a few school for it around here.

 

[mjkacmom]

We have at least 6 studios within 1/2 hour from our home. Dd8 dances at several Feis' throughout the year, and at the Oireachtas in Philly, where there must be over 1000 dancers. This is just our region - there are also Nationals, and Worlds. There are probably about 35 girls in our school? It's a big time committment once you get to the u10's, and a demanding workout - dd is definitely sculpted (like a gymnast).

 

[Mickey's Minion]

What part of the country are you in? I'm in northeast Arkansas, and I don't think there are any people teaching it around here.

We are in the Northwest part of the country and it seems to be pretty popular around here.

 

[mjkacmom]

What part of the country are you in? I'm in northeast Arkansas, and I don't think there are any people teaching it around here.

Here is a link that shows where each of the national regions are http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oireachtas_(Irish_dance)

 

[bumbershoot]

A quick google gives me: http://www.mccaffertyirishdancers.com/Welcome.html

Maybe not your exact area (I don't know the state at all), but in the state.


Also http://www.odonovandance.com/


http://www2.arkansasonline.com/events/ongoing/14/

You even have a Celtic Music Society in your state!

 

[esbrick]

I took it when I was a kid and I know a couple of friends whose children do take classes. There is a lady on Dis in one of the forums I subscribe to that teaches step dancing as well. It is cultural per se but not gender nor ethnicly specific. I saw a program last year that talked about a group of inner city kids in NY http://www.1010wins.com/PICS--Bronx-Irish-Step-Dancers-Buck-Cultural-Norms/4027781 I have also seen some male Irish Dancers, besides Michael Flately, who are just amazing!

It's beautiful to watch these kids! I suggest if you have a moment looking up some stuff on YouTube. They are great!

 

[ms.yt]

A quick google gives me: http://www.mccaffertyirishdancers.com/Welcome.html

Maybe not your exact area (I don't know the state at all), but in the state.


Also http://www.odonovandance.com/


http://www2.arkansasonline.com/events/ongoing/14/

You even have a Celtic Music Society in your state!

Looks like those places that teach and most of the concerts they talk about on the Celtic Music Society site are around Little Rock, the state capital and largest city. While we're only about 3 hours away from there, in many ways it's vastly different from our rural communities here. That's interesting to know that it is being done in the state, though. Thanks for the links.

 

[NotUrsula]

Step dancing (aka Irish Dance) gained widespread popularity in the US with the debut of Riverdance on Broadway.

It was popular in areas with large Irish-American populations long before that; as far back as the 1920's. At first it was more a male thing, but as time went on more and more girls began to participate, and now it is largely considered a predominantly female dance form, Michael Flatley notwithstanding. It didn't go international in a big way until the 1970's.

I was initially taught at home by my father and performed as a child in New Orleans, as part of a group sponsored by the AOH (the Hibernians.) In those days there was no real school there; it was more a club thing.

 

[fraggle551]

I did it for about 10 years as a child. I loved it, but it is extremely competitive and demanding. It is also rewarding though. 2 knee surgeries, 1 ankle surgery, and 10 years later, I am going to be starting again this fall.

 

[coinkc]

There are two competitions in Arkansas...both run by the McCafferty School. One is in Little Rock in April and one in Fort Smith in November. They are some of our favorite feis's of the year.

A feis is definately unique and difficult to explain to someone who has never seen one but they are absolutely amazing to watch. The kids dance their hearts out and their determination and dedication is fantastic.

 

[freckles and boo]

I am in a near south suburb of Chicago. It is taken very seriously here and for some the devotion is a little scary. For girls the expenses can be outrageous.

 

[KimD]

Here in California it's pretty big. My three younger SIL's all did Irish Dancing for years and were very very good (gotta love watching those thick heads of curls bouncing up and down in unison, LOL). The dresses are absolutely beautiful. My oldest SIL of the three (she's 22 now) just started back up again and will be doing competitions again and such. It's awesome excersize!!

 

[mjkacmom]

I took it when I was a kid and I know a couple of friends whose children do take classes. There is a lady on Dis in one of the forums I subscribe to that teaches step dancing as well. It is cultural per se but not gender nor ethnicly specific. I saw a program last year that talked about a group of inner city kids in NY http://www.1010wins.com/PICS--Bronx-Irish-Step-Dancers-Buck-Cultural-Norms/4027781 I have also seen some male Irish Dancers, besides Michael Flately, who are just amazing!

It's beautiful to watch these kids! I suggest if you have a moment looking up some stuff on YouTube. They are great!

There is a girl at our studio who is african american and an amazing irish dancer! She came in 2nd in her age group at the oireachtas, and I think 1st at nationals, and scored very high at worlds. Her little sister has started dancing in the U6 as well.

 

[tigger813]

My oldest will be taking a class this fall. She did one with our town's rec dept 2 years ago. She took an Irish Music and Dance camp two weeks ago and learned a lot of songs and did well with the dances. It is quite popular in our area!

 

[Aisling]

I live in NYC and it's popular here. The strong competitiveness hasn't caught on here as it has in other regions, but it's still taken seriously. I know moms who get long, curly hair extensions for their daughters when competitions/recitals come around. It used to be an Irish heritage thing, but now more and more kids of different ancestries are getting into it. It's a beautiful, amazing style of dance.